Directs the state comptroller to conduct an audit of the department of financial services to ensure the agency is meeting its responsibility to evaluate and assess insurer compliance with federal and state mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements.
Summary
This bill would add a new section to the Executive Law requiring the state comptroller to audit the Department of Financial Services (DFS) at least every two years. The purpose of the audit is to determine whether DFS is properly carrying out its duty to evaluate and assess insurer compliance with federal and state mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements under Article 3 of the Insurance Law.
After each audit, the comptroller would be required to publish a report describing the audit results, including DFS’s accuracy and effectiveness in measuring insurer compliance, compliance determinations for each insurer reviewed, and the reasons supporting those determinations. The first report would be due by July 1 of the year after the law takes effect, and later reports would be issued biennially. The bill would take effect immediately.
Impact
The bill would not directly change insurance parity standards themselves, but it would add a new oversight mechanism over DFS by mandating recurring audits and public reporting. This would create a statutory obligation for the comptroller and could increase transparency and accountability in how the state monitors insurer compliance with mental health and substance use disorder parity laws. It would also affect DFS, insurers subject to parity requirements, and state officials receiving the reports.
Sentiment
The bill appears to be framed positively and oversight-focused, with no recorded votes or committee testimony indicating opposition or support beyond the introduction. Its purpose suggests concern that existing enforcement or evaluation of parity compliance may be insufficient, and the measure is presented as a way to strengthen accountability. Because there is no voting history or transcript discussion available, the overall sentiment can only be characterized as generally favorable in intent but not yet tested through debate.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is whether a mandatory biennial audit is the best use of comptroller and agency resources, especially if DFS already performs similar oversight functions. Another possible issue is whether the bill’s reporting requirements could expose insurer-specific compliance findings in a way that raises confidentiality, administrative burden, or enforcement-process concerns. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the available materials.
Directs the state comptroller to conduct an audit of the department of financial services to ensure the agency is meeting its responsibility to evaluate and assess insurer compliance with federal and state mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements.
Directs the state comptroller to conduct an audit of the department of health and other agencies to ensure that the agency meets its responsibilities to review and assess Medicaid managed care organizations for compliance with federal and state requirements to maintain adequate health care providers within network, and to meet mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements.
Requires the superintendent of financial services to audit certain reports to ensure such insurers are in full compliance with federal and state mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements.
Requires the superintendent of financial services to audit certain reports to ensure such insurers are in full compliance with federal and state mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements.
Directs the state comptroller to conduct an audit of the department of health and other agencies to ensure that the agency meets its responsibilities to review and assess Medicaid managed care organizations for compliance with federal and state requirements to maintain adequate health care providers within network, and to meet mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements.
Requires the superintendent of financial services to audit certain reports to ensure such insurers are in full compliance with federal and state mental health and substance use disorder parity requirements.
Requires each state agency that publishes reports containing data on its website to post such reports in a machine-readable format; requires the state comptroller to conduct compliance audits and issue a written report to the legislature, the governor, and the audited agencies.