BILL NUMBER: S1763A
SPONSOR: FERNANDEZ
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to certain cost sharing
fees for outpatient treatment at a substance use treatment program
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To limit copayments at outpatient substance use treatment programs.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Sections 1-3 amend the insurance law to prohibit imposing a copayment
fee for any outpatient treatment visits during the course of treatment
for substance use disorder by a provider.
Section 4 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Many insurance plans require co-payments to be collected every time an
individual visits a provider for an outpatient substance use treatment
program. This requirement does not take into account the frequency of
patient visits, and so treatment becomes cost-prohibitive for many indi-
viduals seeking help for a substance use disorder. Limiting co-payments
for outpatient treatment at a substance use treatment program will help
all New Yorkers in need gain access to these lifesaving services.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S7288
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to policies and
contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on and after
such date.

Statutes affected:
S1763: 3216 insurance law, 3216(i) insurance law
S1763A: 3216 insurance law, 3216(i) insurance law