What's happening
This bill requires insurance policies in New York to cover therapeutic care for autism spectrum disorder, removing prior coverage restrictions.
Why it matters
Removes loopholes that allowed insurers to deny coverage for autism therapies. By striking language that made coverage for therapeutic care optional ("in the event that the policy provides coverage for therapeutic care"), the bill ensures that all relevant insurance policies must now cover these treatments.
Expands access to essential therapies. The bill mandates coverage for both habilitative (building new skills) and nonrestorative (not just returning to previous function) therapies, which are particularly important for people with autism spectrum disorder who need ongoing developmental support.
Reduces financial burden on families. By requiring insurance companies to cover these therapies, families are less likely to face high out-of-pocket costs or be forced to forgo necessary care due to lack of coverage.
Aligns insurance law with best practices in autism care. The change reflects a growing consensus that therapeutic interventions are medically necessary for autism spectrum disorder, not merely optional or ancillary, thus supporting better long-term outcomes for individuals on the spectrum.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Autism Insurance Coverage
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
5 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1058
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 14, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI, COOK, ENGLEBRIGHT, BENEDETTO, STIRPE, LIFTON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. CROUCH, FINCH, McDONOUGH, RAIA, THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subclause 5 of clause (ix) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph 25 of subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 596 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
(5) therapeutic care, including therapeutic care which is deemed habilitative or nonrestorative[, in the event that the policy provides coverage for therapeutic care]; and
§ 2. Subclause 5 of clause (ix) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph 17 of subsection (1) of section 3221 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 596 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
(5) therapeutic care, including therapeutic care which is deemed habilitative or nonrestorative[, in the event that the policy provides coverage for therapeutic care]; and
§ 3. Clause (v) of subparagraph (I) of paragraph 3 of subsection (ee) of section 4303 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 596 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
(v) therapeutic care, including therapeutic care which is deemed habilitative or nonrestorative[, in the event that the policy provides coverage for therapeutic care]; and
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04360-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.