What's happening
This bill directs a study and report on the adequacy of insurance coverage for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases in New York.
Why it matters
The bill responds to growing public health concerns. by specifically addressing the rise in Lyme and other tick-borne diseases in New York, recognizing their severe and chronic health impacts.
It investigates insurance barriers. , including why patients may be denied coverage for necessary treatments, and seeks to understand both the scope of current coverage and the reasons for any limitations.
The study will compare New York to other states. , examining how insurance coverage for long-term and chronic Lyme disease treatment varies, which could influence future state policy changes.
Recommendations could lead to significant policy reforms. the findings may prompt legislative or regulatory action to improve insurance coverage, directly affecting patients’ access to care and financial protection.
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Who cares
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Study Lyme Insurance Coverage
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Vetoed memo.269
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.363
- Substituted for A6146
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.988
Show 1 earlier action
- 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.
Study Lyme Insurance Coverage
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Didi Barrett
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4571
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. GAUGHRAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT directing the department of financial services, in consultation with the commissioner of the department of health, to study and report upon the adequacy of insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The legislature hereby finds that the increasing number of Lyme disease and tick-borne related diseases in New York state highlights the need to examine the current status of the adequacy of insurance coverage related to this health epidemic. Lyme disease is one of several tick-borne diseases which result in extreme and long term fatigue, nausea, depression, joint pain and many other severe symptoms. Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States, and New York is one of 14 states that account for 95% of cases in the United States. According to the New York state department of health, over 20,000 cases of Lyme disease were diagnosed between years 2012 to 2014. While sufferers of these tick-borne diseases require long term treatment, health insurance companies have denied services related to necessary medical treatment.
§ 2. The superintendent of the department of financial services, in consultation with the commissioner of the department of health, shall review the adequacy of insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases and make recommendations regarding any coverage limitations that may be found. Such review shall include but not be limited to:
(a) the present state of insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases within New York state;
(b) prevailing reasons for the denial of insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00470-01-9
S. 4571 2
(c) the number of insureds in need of long term care of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases;
(d) the number of uninsured persons in need of long term care of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases;
(e) coverage required by other states for treatment for long term and chronic Lyme disease in other states;
(f) specific medical conditions related to Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases; and
(g) recommendations to ensure that there is adequate coverage for Lyme disease, including long term care of Lyme disease, and other tick-borne related diseases within New York state.
§ 3. Within one hundred twenty days of the effective date of this act, the superintendent of financial services shall submit a report to the governor, temporary president of the senate and speaker of the assembly of the department's findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act directing the department of financial services, in consultation with the commissioner of the department of health, to study and report upon the adequacy of insurance coverage for the treat- ment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases
Purpose or general idea of bill
To review insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases within New York State.
Summary of provisions
Section one of the bill provides legislative findings.
Section two of the bill directs the superintendent of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, to review the adequacy of insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. The study will include:
*the present state of insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases within New York state;
*prevailing reasons for the denial of insurance coverage for the treat- ment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases;
*the number of insureds in need of long term care of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases;
*The number of uninsured persons in need of long term care of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases;
*coverage required by other states for treatment for long-term and chronic Lyme disease in other states;
*specific medical conditions related to Lyme disease and other tick- borne related diseases; and
*recommendations to ensure that there is adequate coverage for Lyme disease, including long term care of Lyme disease, and other tick-borne related diseases within New York state.
Section three directs the superintendent of DFS to submit a report of the department's findings and recommendations to the governor, Temporary President of the Senate, and Speaker of the Assembly within 120 days of the effective date of the act.
Section four of the bill sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Currently, health insurance companies are not required to cover long- term treatment for those who suffer from chronic Lyme or other tick- borne diseases. This is devastating for many New Yorkers. Those suffer- ing from chronic Lyme and other tick-borne diseases can experience extreme and long term fatigue, nausea, depression, joint pain and many other severe symptoms. Rhode Island and Connecticut have recognized the toll these diseases take on victims by passing legislation that requires insurance to cover these diseases. Many areas of New York suffer from high incidence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, yet insurance coverage is insufficient. The study initiated by this legislation will provide insight into the current state of insurance coverage as it relates to tick-borne diseases, and recommend solutions to ensure all New Yorkers are adequately protected.
Prior legislative history
2017-2018: A4863-A 2016: A10677/S7777-A
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.