BILL NUMBER: S7615
SPONSOR: BAILEY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the social services law, in relation to expanding Medi-
caid coverage to include neuropsychological exams for dyslexia
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To expand Medicaid coverage to include neuropsychological exams for the
purpose of diagnosing dyslexia.
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends subdivision 2 of section 365-a of the social services
law to include neuropsychological exams for dyslexia.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Studies indicate that as many as one in five children may have dyslexia
or another phonemic awareness issue. However, lack of access to appro-
priate screening and diagnostic testing poses a barrier to comprehen-
sively tracking the incidence of dyslexia and students are unlikely to
receive the intervention required to overcome dyslexia without a posi-
tive diagnosis. Comprehensive neuropsychological exams are recognized as
the most effective way to positively diagnose dyslexia. Such exams are
often administered over the course of two days and can cost between six
and ten thousand dollars, making them unaffordable to many families. The
educational challenges faced by students with dyslexia have been shown
to be associated with harmful secondary effects including anxiety,
depression, increased poverty and higher incarceration rates.
Educational research has unequivocally demonstrated that early identifi-
cation of dyslexia, coupled with intervention and multisensory sequen-
tial phonics instruction drastically improves educational outcomes
making affordable early diagnosis essential to improving the lives of
students with dyslexia and their families.
In 2024 the Legislature passed the Dyslexia Diagnosis Access Act
(A2898/S5481), which was signed into law by Governor Hochul that year.
That legislation requires that private insurance policies pay for
neuropsychological exams for the purpose of diagnosing dyslexia. Medi-
caid eligible families should receive comparable benefits.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
One hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective
immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regu-
lation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective
date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective
date.

Statutes affected:
S7615: 365-a social services law, 365-a(2) social services law