Mandates commercial insurance coverage of peer support services as part of treatment for substance use disorder

This bill (A 3159) requires commercial health insurance plans to cover peer support services as part of substance use disorder treatment. It directly affects insurance companies offering medical, major medical, or comprehensive coverage and people receiving substance use disorder care. The key provision mandates that insurers cover certified peer support services (provided by advocates certified under New York's addiction services program) with the same financial terms and treatment limitations as standard medical care - meaning no stricter copays, deductibles, or visit limits than for other medical services. This ensures individuals with substance use disorder have access to these specific support services without facing more restrictive insurance barriers than typical medical treatments. The bill applies to all commercial health insurance contracts covering outpatient substance use disorder treatment.