What's happening
This bill requires large group health insurance policies in New York to cover scalp cooling systems during cancer chemotherapy.
Why it matters
Narrows the mandate for scalp cooling system coverage to "large group" health insurance policies only. , excluding individual and small group policies, which could affect access for many New Yorkers depending on their insurance type.
Specifies that coverage for scalp cooling systems may be subject to standard cost-sharing requirements. such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments—meaning patients could still face out-of-pocket costs despite the coverage requirement.
Clarifies the language concerning which insurance contracts are affected. , ensuring that only "large group" contracts delivered, issued, renewed, or altered after January 1, 2026, must comply, which may delay or limit the immediate impact for some patients.
Repeals earlier provisions that may have implied broader coverage. , signaling a legislative intent to more tightly control the scope and financial implications of the insurance mandate.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Cover Scalp Cooling for Chemotherapy
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A430
- Ordered to third reading cal.48
- Referred to rules
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.
Require Chemo Hair Loss Coverage
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
774
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring certain large group health insurance policies and contracts to cover scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment; to amend a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the insurance law relating to providing health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S.
2063-A and A. 38-A, in relation to the effectiveness thereof; and to repeal certain provisions of the insurance law relating thereto
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph 12-b of subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law, as added by a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the insurance law relating to providing health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2063-A and A. 38-A, is REPEALED.
§ 2. Subparagraph (A) of paragraph (12-b) of subsection (l) of section 3221 of the insurance law, as added by a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the insurance law relating to providing health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2063-A and A. 38-A, is amended to read as follows:
(A) Every large group policy delivered or issued for delivery in this state that provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensivetype coverage and provides coverage cancer chemotherapy treatment shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment. Coverage provided under this paragraph
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02929-01-5
may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance, including copayments, as may be deemed appropriate by the superintendent and as are consistent with those established for other benefits within a given policy.
§ 3. Paragraph (1) of subsection (q-2) of section 4303 of the insurance law, as added by a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the insurance law relating to providing health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2063-A and A. 38-A, is amended to read as follows:
(1) Every [policy] large group contract delivered or issued for delivery in this state that provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive-type coverage and provides coverage for cancer chemotherapy treatment shall provide coverage for scalp cooling systems used in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment. Coverage provided under this subsection may be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance, including copayments, as may be deemed appropriate by the superintendent and as are consistent with those established for other benefits within a given [policy] contract.
§ 4. Section 4 of a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the insurance law relating to providing health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2063-A and A. 38-A, is amended to read as follows:
§ 4. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026 and shall apply to any large group policy or contract issued, renewed, modified, altered, or amended on or after such date.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the insurance law relating to providing health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2063-A and A. 38-A, takes effect.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to requiring certain large group health insurance policies and contracts to cover scalp cool- ing systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment; to amend a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the insurance law relating to providing health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treat- ment, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2063-A and A. 38-A, in relation to the effectiveness thereof; and to repeal certain provisions of the insurance law relating thereto
Purpose
This is a chapter amendment that makes changes to provisions of L.2024 C.595 related to coverage for scalp cooling systems used to preserve hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment.
Summary of provisions
This legislation amends the underlying chapter to apply to large group insurance policies.
Justification
This legislation is a negotiated change to the underlying chapter.
Legislative history
Chapter amendment to Chapter 595 of the laws of 2024. S.2063-A and A.38-A passed in their respective houses in June 2024.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same manner as a chapter of the laws of 2024 amending the insurance law relating to providing health insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment, as proposed in legislative bills numbers S. 2063-A and A. 38-A, takes effect.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.