New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill S926

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Requires health insurers to cover Lyme disease.

Impact

By requiring health benefit plans to cover Lyme disease treatment, Bill S926 is poised to significantly influence state healthcare laws. It enforces a mandate on insurers to cover costs associated with this particular condition, aligning with the growing recognition of Lyme disease as a serious health issue. The bill ensures that individuals, especially those in high-risk areas, can obtain adequate medical attention without facing financial hurdles. This aligns state regulations with a more patient-centered approach to healthcare.

Summary

Bill S926, proposed in New Jersey, mandates that health insurers provide coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease. The bill outlines that all insurance contracts, including those from hospital service corporations and health maintenance organizations, must cover expenses deemed medically necessary by a physician. This legislative measure is aimed at ensuring that individuals diagnosed with Lyme disease can access the necessary treatment without the threat of denial based on the treatment being classified as experimental or investigational.

Contention

Despite its supportive intent, the bill may generate discussions regarding its implications for insurance companies and their operational frameworks. Concerns may arise about potential increases in premiums or a pushback from insurers regarding what constitutes medically necessary treatment. Legislative debates could center on the balance between ensuring patient access to necessary treatments while managing the financial viability of health insurance providers.

Companion Bills

NJ A730

Carry Over Requires health insurers to cover Lyme disease.

NJ S1691

Carry Over Requires health insurers to cover Lyme disease.

Previously Filed As

NJ S3262

Requires health insurers to cover Lyme disease.

NJ S1320

Requires health insurers to provide coverage for treatment of tick-borne diseases.

NJ S06862

Requires health insurers to provide coverage for long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne related pathogens.

NJ S598

Requires health insurance coverage for certain neurological diseases.

NJ A4209

Requires health insurers, SHBP and SEHBP to provide coverage for diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of lymphedema.

NJ A3246

Requires health insurance coverage for certain neurological diseases.

NJ SB461

Providing for patient access to diagnostics and treatments for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses; and requiring health care policies to provide certain coverage.

NJ S07447

Requires health insurers to provide coverage for long term medical care for Lyme disease and other tick borne related pathogens; provides for taxpayer gifts for tick borne illness research, detection and education; establishes the tick borne illness research, detection and education fund.

NJ S2405

Requires health insurers to provide coverage for hearing aids.

NJ A1941

Requires health insurers to provide coverage for hearing aids.

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