Requires coverage under the healthy New York program for mental illness

BILL NUMBER:S2791

Title of bill

An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring coverage under the Healthy New York program for mental illness

Purpose

The purpose of the legislation is to broaden the coverage of the Healthy New York Program (HNY) so that eligible small employers, sole proprietors, and uninsured working individuals will be covered for mental health services.

Summary of provisions

Sections 1 and 2 of this legislation amend section 3221 of the insurance law, to extend coverage for mental health services to small employers, sole proprietors, and uninsured working individuals eligible for coverage under the Healthy New York Program (HNY).

Section 3 of this legislation amends section 3221 of the insurance law, to require the superintendent of insurance to develop and implement a method to cover the costs associated with expanding HNY's coverage to include mental health services for eligible small employers, sole proprietors, and uninsured working individuals.

Sections 4, 5, 7 and 8 of this legislation amend section 4303 of the insurance law to extend coverage for mental health services to small employers, sole proprietors, and uninsured working individuals eligible for coverage under HNY.

Sections 6 and 9 of this legislation amend section 4303 of the insurance law, to require the superintendent of insurance to develop and implement a method to cover the costs associated with expanding HNY's coverage to include mental health services for eligible small employers, sole proprietors, and uninsured working individuals.

Justification

The "Healthy NY Program" (HNY) promotes access to quality health care by providing comprehensive health insurance to those citizens who need it most. HNY's methodology is to assist small business owners in providing their employees and their employees' families with the health insurance they need and deserve. In addition, uninsured sole proprietors and workers whose employers do not provide health insurance may also purchase comprehensive coverage directly through HNY. (See,http://www.ins.state.ny.us/website2/hny.htm, last visited 12/17/10).

Persons in need of mental health services may suffer from an array of psychological disorders which include; anxiety, depression, behavioral and personality disorders, any of which might cause absenteeism, productivity loss and co-morbid physical symptoms with similar effect. Not only adults may require mental health services, an estimated one in five children and adolescents may have mental disorders that can be diagnosed and treated, but for lack of coverage

(See,http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/e/emotional_disorders/intro.htm, and http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/CA-0006/default.asp)

The most common disorders adolescents suffer from are anxiety disorders, accounting for as many as 13 out of every 100 children between the ages of 9 and 17. Children may also suffer from severe depression, bipolar disorders, learning disorders and schizophrenia, and autism is an important concern for American children, affecting 10-12 individuals for every 10,000 children. (See,http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/CA-0006/ default.asp) Any or all, of these conditions can lead to excessive absences from school, failure to thrive in the academic or home environment, and many associated physical ailments.

With new research and innovations, advanced treatment is readably available. In order to seek this treatment patients need coverage to diagnose and treat themselves and their children. (See,http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/CA-0006/ default.asp) That is why this legislation expands HNY's coverage to include coverage for mental health services for eligible small employers, sole proprietors, and uninsured working individuals.

Legislative history

2013-14: S02841 - Referred to Insurance 2011-12: S.1121 - Referred to Insurance 2009-10: S.6866 - Referred to Insurance

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Local fiscal implications

No local fiscal implications.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.