New York A 10595: Relates to ensuring continued access to backup devices for patients with cochlear implants

Bill Text

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A10595 Summary:

BILL NOA10595 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORWieder

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Amd §§3216, 3221 & 4303, Ins L

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Requires insurance coverage for cochlear implants and backup devices during the initial implantaton and for replacements and upgrades.

Go to top A10595 Actions:

BILL NOA10595 

&nbsp

03/13/2026referred to insurance

Go to topA10595 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA10595 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topA10595 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 10595

 IN ASSEMBLY

 March 13, 2026
 ___________

 Introduced by M. of A. WIEDER -- read once and referred to the Committee
 on Insurance

 AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to ensuring continued
 access to backup devices for patients with cochlear implants

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature finds that cochlear
 2 implants are critical for patients with hearing loss to maintain the
 3 ability to hear. These devices, which are often life-changing, allow
 4 individuals to improve their quality of life, integrate fully into their
 5 communities, and perform daily activities. It is essential that individ-
 6 uals who rely on cochlear implants have continuous access to the neces-
 7 sary backup equipment to ensure uninterrupted use, including during
 8 device upgrades and replacements. Currently, backup devices are provided
 9 only with the initial implantation, but are not made available to
 10 patients upon the upgrade or replacement of the implant after 3-5 years.
 11 This bill seeks to address this gap in coverage and ensure that all
 12 patients requiring cochlear implants have a backup device available
 13 throughout the duration of their treatment.
 14 § 2. Subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law is amended by
 15 adding a new paragraph 41 to read as follows:
 16 (41) (A) Every policy which provides medical, major medical, or simi-
 17 lar comprehensive-type coverage shall provide the coverage for cochlear
 18 implants and for a backup cochlear implant device when prescribed by a
 19 health care practitioner licensed, certified, or authorized under title
 20 eight of the education law, and acting within their lawful scope of
 21 practice and for a backup device.
 22 (B) A patient receiving an upgrade or replacement of a cochlear
 23 implant device shall be provided with a backup device corresponding to
 24 the replacement or upgrade device. The backup device shall be provided
 25 as long as the patient is actively using the cochlear implant, and for
 26 the duration of the patient's need for the device, including any neces-
 27 sary upgrades.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD10291-01-5

 A. 10595 2

 1 (C) The coverage required pursuant to this paragraph shall not be
 2 subject to annual deductibles or coinsurance.
 3 (D) As used in this paragraph, the following terms shall have the
 4 following meanings:
 5 (i) "cochlear implant" means a medical device surgically implanted to
 6 provide hearing to individuals with severe to profound sensorineural
 7 hearing loss; and
 8 (ii) backup cochlear implant device refers to an additional set of
 9 components that supports the functioning of the cochlear implant in the
 10 event that the primary device fails or requires maintenance.
 11 § 3. Subsection (k) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by
 12 adding a new paragraph 24 to read as follows:
 13 (24) (A) Every policy which provides medical, major medical, or simi-
 14 lar comprehensive-type coverage shall provide the coverage for cochlear
 15 implants and for a backup cochlear implant device when prescribed by a
 16 health care practitioner licensed, certified, or authorized under title
 17 eight of the education law, and acting within their lawful scope of
 18 practice and for a backup device.
 19 (B) A patient receiving an upgrade or replacement of a cochlear
 20 implant device shall be provided with a backup device corresponding to
 21 the replacement or upgrade device. The backup device shall be provided
 22