New York Senate Bill S00268

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/7/26

Caption

Includes implantable infusion pumps for chronic non-cancer pain management as standard coverage for medical assistance.

Summary

This bill amends New York’s Social Services Law to add implantable infusion pumps for chronic non-cancer pain management to the list of services covered as standard medical assistance. In practical terms, it would require Medicaid coverage for these devices when used to manage chronic pain that is not related to cancer, rather than leaving coverage to more limited or discretionary treatment categories. The bill is straightforward and narrowly focused: it does not create a new program, but instead expands an existing coverage mandate within the state’s medical assistance system. It would take effect on July 1, 2025, and would apply to Medicaid and other medical assistance beneficiaries covered under the relevant statute.

Impact

The bill would amend section 365-a of the Social Services Law by adding implantable infusion pumps for chronic non-cancer pain management as a covered medical assistance benefit. This would affect the scope of Medicaid-covered durable medical treatment in New York, potentially increasing access for patients with chronic pain conditions and requiring the state and managed care plans administering medical assistance to reimburse for these devices when medically appropriate.

Sentiment

There is no recorded committee debate, vote, or transcript in the provided materials, so no direct legislative sentiment can be measured from discussion. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears technical and targeted, with a health-care access purpose rather than a broader policy change. The absence of recorded opposition or support in the available history means sentiment is best characterized as unclear but likely policy-driven and specialized.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided record. If debated, likely issues would include the cost of expanding Medicaid coverage, medical necessity standards, and whether implantable infusion pumps should be covered for chronic non-cancer pain as opposed to other pain-management approaches. Potential stakeholders would include Medicaid administrators, pain-management providers, patients with chronic pain, and budget-focused policymakers.