What's happening
This bill prohibits insurance policies from denying coverage for medical care based on the gender indicated on claim forms.
Why it matters
Ensures access to medically necessary care. By preventing insurance companies from denying coverage based on mismatched gender markers, the bill helps people—especially transgender, nonbinary, or intersex individuals—get treatments like cancer screenings or reproductive care that are medically appropriate for their bodies, regardless of how their gender is listed.
Reduces administrative barriers and delays. People whose gender identity or documentation does not match typical expectations for certain medical procedures often face rejected claims or lengthy appeals. This legislation aims to streamline access and reduce stress, confusion, and delays in getting needed health services.
Addresses discrimination in healthcare. The bill directly targets a form of systemic discrimination in insurance practices, supporting the principle that everyone should receive coverage for standard medical care without being penalized because of their gender identity or medical history.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
End Gender Bias in Insurance
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
19 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Protect Gender on Insurance Claims
In Senate Committee · Insurance · Sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6837
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 21, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. WOERNER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to gender indication on claim forms
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 35 to read as follows:
(35) Every policy delivered or issued for delivery in this state that provides coverage for hospital, surgical or medical care shall not exclude coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, or services otherwise covered by the policy solely on the basis of the gender indicated on a claim form, or that the gender indicated on a claim form is different from the insured's sex assigned at birth or gender otherwise recorded, or that the insured is not of the gender to whom a service is typically or exclusively provided.
§ 2. Subsection (l) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 21 to read as follows:
(21) Every policy delivered or issued for delivery in this state that provides coverage for hospital, surgical or medical care shall not exclude coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, or services otherwise covered by the policy solely on the basis of the gender indicated on a claim form, or that the gender indicated on a claim form is different from the insured's sex assigned at birth or gender otherwise recorded, or that the insured is not of the gender to whom a service is typically or exclusively provided.
§ 3. Section 4303 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new subsection (ss) to read as follows:
(ss) Every contract issued by a corporation subject to the provisions of this article that provides coverage for hospital, surgical or medical care shall not exclude coverage for screening, diagnosis and treatment
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01260-02-9
A. 6837 2
of medical conditions, or services otherwise covered by the contract solely on the basis of the gender indicated on a claim form, or that the gender indicated on a claim form is different from the insured's sex assigned at birth or gender otherwise recorded, or that the insured is not of the gender to whom a service is typically or exclusively provided.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on and after such date.
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.