New York A 1628: Requires the coverage of alternative treatment options by the medical assistance program and private insurers

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A01628 Summary:

BILL NOA01628 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORRosenthal

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Amd §§3216, 3221 & 4303, Ins L; add §365-q, Soc Serv L

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Requires that non-pharmaceutical alternative treatment options including but not limited to treatment provided by a licensed acupuncturist, licensed massage therapist, licensed chiropractor, and yoga instructor be covered by the medical assistance program and by private health insurers.

Go to top A01628 Actions:

BILL NOA01628 

&nbsp

01/10/2025referred to insurance

01/07/2026referred to insurance

Go to topA01628 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topA01628 Floor&nbspVotes:

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

Go to topA01628 Text:

 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 Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law is
 2 amended by adding a new paragraph 40 to read as follows:
 3 (40) Every policy which provides medical, major medical, or similar
 4 comprehensive type coverage shall include coverage for alternative
 5 treatment utilized for pain management. Coverage provided under this
 6 paragraph shall be limited to alternative treatment provided by a health
 7 care provider or other licensed individual. For purposes of this
 8 subsection, "alternative treatment" means non-pharmaceutical treatment
 9 for pain management including but not limited to treatment provided by
 10 (A) a licensed acupuncturist, (B) a licensed massage therapist, (C) a
 11 licensed chiropractor, and (D) a yoga instructor.
 12 § 2. Subsection (l) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by
 13 adding a new paragraph 23 to read as follows:
 14 (23) Every group or blanket policy which provides medical, major
 15 medical, or similar comprehensive type coverage shall include coverage
 16 for alternative treatment utilized for pain management. Coverage
 17 provided under this paragraph shall be limited to alternative treatment
 18 provided by a health care provider or other licensed individual. For
 19 purposes of this subsection, "alternative treatment" means non-pharma-
 20 ceutical treatment for pain management including but not limited to
 21 treatment provided by (A) a licensed acupuncturist, (B) a licensed
 22 massage therapist, (C) a licensed chiropractor, and (D) a yoga instruc-
 23 tor.

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD03981-01-5

 A. 1628 2

 1 § 3. Section 4303 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new
 2 subsection (ww) to read as follows:
 3 (ww) Every contract issued by a medical expense indemnity corporation,
 4 hospital service corporation, or health service corporation which
 5 provides medical, major medical, or similar comprehensive type coverage
 6 shall include coverage for alternative treatment utilized for pain
 7 management. Coverage provided under this subsection shall be limited to
 8 alternative treatment provided by a health care provider or other
 9 licensed individual. For purposes of this section, "alternative treat-
 10 ment" means non-pharmaceutical treatment for pain management including
 11 but not limited to treatment provided by (1) a licensed acupuncturist,
 12 (2) a licensed massage therapist, (3) a licensed chiropractor, and (4) a
 13 yoga instructor.
 14 § 4. The social services law is amended by adding a new section 365-q
 15 to read as follows:
 16 § 365-q. Provision of alternative treatment for pain management. 1.
 17 The commissioner shall establish standards and guidelines for the
 18 provision of alternate treatment for pain management under the medical
 19 assistance program. In establishing such standards and guidelines, the
 20 commissioner shall consult with alternative treatment providers and
 2