What's happening
This bill requires both private health insurers and the state medical assistance program to cover alternative, non-pharmaceutical pain management treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and yoga.
Why it matters
Expands Pain Management Options. By mandating insurance and Medicaid coverage for treatments like acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care, and yoga, the bill could help patients access non-drug pain relief options that may be better suited to their needs or preferences.
Potential Impact on Opioid Use. Increasing access to non-pharmaceutical pain management may reduce reliance on prescription opioids and other drugs, potentially helping to address opioid misuse and its associated health risks.
Increases Provider and Modalities Choice. The bill requires coverage only for licensed practitioners, which may improve quality and safety, while also legitimizing these alternative therapies within mainstream healthcare systems.
Possible Changes in Healthcare Costs and Claims. Mandating these alternative therapies might affect overall healthcare spending—potentially lowering costs if these treatments reduce more expensive interventions, or increasing premiums if utilization rises significantly.
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Who cares
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Require Insurance for Alternative Treatments
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
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History
- Referred to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1628
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law and the social services law, in relation to requiring the coverage of alternate treatment options by the medical assistance program and private health insurers
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 40 to read as follows:
(40) Every policy which provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type coverage shall include coverage for alternative treatment utilized for pain management. Coverage provided under this paragraph shall be limited to alternative treatment provided by a health care provider or other licensed individual. For purposes of this subsection, "alternative treatment" means non-pharmaceutical treatment for pain management including but not limited to treatment provided by (A) a licensed acupuncturist, (B) a licensed massage therapist, (C) a licensed chiropractor, and (D) a yoga instructor.
§ 2. Subsection (l) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 23 to read as follows:
(23) Every group or blanket policy which provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type coverage shall include coverage for alternative treatment utilized for pain management. Coverage provided under this paragraph shall be limited to alternative treatment provided by a health care provider or other licensed individual. For purposes of this subsection, "alternative treatment" means non-pharmaceutical treatment for pain management including but not limited to treatment provided by (A) a licensed acupuncturist, (B) a licensed massage therapist, (C) a licensed chiropractor, and (D) a yoga instructor.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03981-01-5
§ 3. Section 4303 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new subsection (ww) to read as follows:
(ww) Every contract issued by a medical expense indemnity corporation, hospital service corporation, or health service corporation which provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type coverage shall include coverage for alternative treatment utilized for pain management. Coverage provided under this subsection shall be limited to alternative treatment provided by a health care provider or other licensed individual. For purposes of this section, "alternative treatment" means non-pharmaceutical treatment for pain management including but not limited to treatment provided by (1) a licensed acupuncturist, (2) a licensed massage therapist, (3) a licensed chiropractor, and (4) a yoga instructor.
§ 4. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 365-q to read as follows:
§ 365-q. Provision of alternative treatment for pain management. 1. The commissioner shall establish standards and guidelines for the provision of alternate treatment for pain management under the medical assistance program. In establishing such standards and guidelines, the commissioner shall consult with alternative treatment providers and other interested parties.
2. For purposes of this title, "alternative treatment" means non-pharmaceutical treatment for pain management including but not limited to treatment provided by (a) a licensed acupuncturist, (b) a licensed massage therapist, (c) a licensed chiropractor, and (d) a yoga instructor.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the one hundred twentieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
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