Healthcare (Insurance)

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 983: Removes limits on licensed physical therapists treating patients without a referral

This bill removes the previous limit of 10 visits or 30 days for physical therapists to treat patients without a physician referral. It directly affects licensed physical therapists and their patients, allowing ongoing treatment without a referral as long as three requirements are met: therapists must refer patients if symptoms suggest other care is needed, communicate with the patient’s primary care provider during treatment, and provide written notice to patients about potential insurance coverage issues without a referral. The bill requires therapists to document patient notification with a signed form. These changes aim to streamline access to physical therapy while ensuring patient safety and insurance clarity.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves referral limits for physical therapists, improving patient access to care without unnecessary barriers. Directly advances healthcare access by allowing extended treatment under specific conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 28, 2025

A 841: Authorizes the commissioner of health to adopt policies to exclude certain non-recurring items from income for the program for elderly pharmaceutical insurance cover

Authorizes the commissioner of health to adopt policies to exclude certain non-recurring items from income that would artificially inflate the availability of funds to meet current needs relating to eligibility for the program for elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExcludes non-recurring income to prevent artificial fund inflation, ensuring accurate eligibility for elderly pharmaceutical coverage, strengthening program integrity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5319: Relates to required terms for certain insurance contracts

Includes permissible payment methods, advance consent for direct payments, and annually providing the updated rate schedule as required terms for certain insurance contracts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transparency in insurance contracts via rate schedules and consent, protecting consumers from unexpected costs and improving access to coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4696: Provides for offering reward or incentive programs

This bill permits health insurers and certain corporations (like health maintenance organizations) to offer annual wellness, preventative care, and health initiative incentive programs to policyholders, with a maximum value of $600 per person per year. It expands existing insurance law by allowing non-cash rewards (such as discounts or sweepstakes) for health goals like disease management, while maintaining a spending cap. The bill also clarifies that premium adjustments reflecting approved commission ranges do not violate anti-inducement rules. It directly affects health insurers, their policyholders, and corporate health providers in New York.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill permits insurers to offer $600 annual wellness/incentive programs for preventative care and disease management, promoting preventative health access without restricting coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 27, 2026

A 4639: Protects the health insurance benefits of retirees of public employers and contributions of Medicare-eligible retirees of public employers

Prohibits public employers from diminishing health insurance benefits provided to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents or the contributions such employer makes for such health insurance coverage below the level of such benefits or contributions made on behalf of such retirees and dependents by the public employer as of December 31, 2021.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents public employers from reducing health insurance benefits or contributions for Medicare-eligible retirees, directly protecting existing coverage as of 2021.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8443: Relates to health insurance coverage for surviving dependents following the death of a police officer by suicide

Provides that where an active or retired police officer dies by suicide and is enrolled in a health insurance plan, the surviving dependents of such police officer shall be entitled to such health insurance coverage for ninety days following such police officer's death.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends health insurance coverage to dependents of police officers who die by suicide, expanding access to healthcare benefits for a specific vulnerable group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 885: Establishes "The Equity in Fertility Treatment Act"; relates to the definition of infertility and health insurance coverage for the treatment of infertility

Establishes "The Equity in Fertility Treatment Act"; relates to the definition of infertility and health insurance coverage for the treatment of infertility.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health insurance coverage for infertility treatment, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services as per bill's definition of infertility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 9, 2026

A 8144: Requires health insurance contracts cover postpartum pelvic floor therapy

Bill A 8144 requires health insurance policies to include postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy as part of their minimum maternity care coverage. It amends specific sections of the insurance law to ensure this service is explicitly covered for new mothers. This means that health insurance contracts issued, renewed, or modified after the bill's effective date must provide coverage for this therapy. The bill aims to standardize the inclusion of postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy within maternity benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for postpartum pelvic floor therapy, expanding maternity care benefits and improving patient access to a specific healthcare service.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates health insurance coverage for postpartum pelvic floor therapy, expanding maternity care benefits for workers and strengthening employment standards related to worker health benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5605: Provides for reimbursement for certain insurance premiums for certain members of the naval militia

This bill requires New York to reimburse resident naval militia members for health insurance premiums when activated by the governor. It covers premiums for existing policies like TRICARE, with reimbursement equal to 1/30th of the monthly premium per day of service. The state will not cover insurance procurement or pay for coverage already provided by other government entities. Reimbursement is limited to policies not duplicated by other coverage, and the adjutant general will establish implementation rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReimburses naval militia members' health insurance premiums during activation, expanding coverage access for this group without duplicating existing benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8500: Clarifies that the New York state health insurance program remains subject to certain provisions of the financial services law

Clarifies that the New York state health insurance program remains subject to certain provisions of the financial services law and coverage for usual and customary costs for out-of-network health care service.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies coverage for out-of-network services at usual costs, maintaining patient access and preventing coverage restrictions under financial services law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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