Requires certain large group health insurance policies and contracts to cover scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment.
Summary
A00430 amends New York insurance law to require certain large group health insurance policies and contracts that cover cancer chemotherapy treatment to also cover scalp cooling systems used during chemotherapy. Scalp cooling systems are intended to help preserve hair during treatment, and the bill specifies that this coverage may be subject to deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments consistent with other benefits in the policy or contract.
The bill also revises and repeals portions of a 2024 law on the same subject to clarify that the mandate applies specifically to large group policies and contracts, rather than broader policy language. It updates the effective-date language so the requirement takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to large group coverage issued, renewed, modified, altered, or amended on or after that date.
Impact
This bill would expand mandated health insurance benefits in New York by requiring large group insurers and large group contracts to cover scalp cooling systems when chemotherapy coverage is provided. It amends sections of the Insurance Law governing individual and group health coverage, narrows the operative language to large group coverage, and aligns the new mandate with the effective date and implementation framework of the related 2024 enactment. The practical effect is to require affected insurers and health plans to add this benefit for eligible enrollees undergoing cancer treatment.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong and unanimous support for the bill, with favorable committee votes and final passage in both chambers by wide margins and no recorded opposition. No committee transcript is available, but the vote pattern suggests broad agreement that the coverage mandate is appropriate and noncontroversial among legislators.
Contention
The main policy issue reflected in the text is the scope of the mandate: the bill limits the requirement to large group policies and contracts and preserves insurer cost-sharing authority through deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Any potential contention would likely center on the added insurance coverage requirement and its cost implications for employers, insurers, and premium payers, but the recorded votes do not show organized opposition.
Same As
Requires certain large group health insurance policies and contracts to cover scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment.
Mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.
Mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.
Mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.
Requires health insurance coverage of scalp cooling systems in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment; requires physicians to inform patients of scalp cooling therapy.
Requires health insurance coverage of scalp cooling systems in connection with cancer chemotherapy treatment; requires physicians to inform patients of scalp cooling therapy.
Requires certain large group health insurance policies and contracts to cover scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during cancer chemotherapy treatment.