BILL NUMBER: S8550
SPONSOR: WEIK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law and the social services law, in
relation to requiring certain health insurance plans cover electrocardi-
ograms for adults and children who have received a coronavirus vaccine
 
PURPOSE:
To ensure that health insurance plans, including Medicaid, provide
coverage for electrocardiogram (EKG) testing and interpretation for
individuals of any age who have received a coronavirus vaccine, when
ordered by a licensed medical professional.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends section 3216 of the insurance law to require that, in
addition to existing preventive care and screening requirements, cover-
age must be provided for an electrocardiogram test and interpretation
for adults and children who have received a coronavirus vaccine, regard-
less of family history of heart disease or conditions, if ordered by a
physician or other licensed professional authorized under New York law
to administer such a test, in accordance with prevailing clinical stand-
ards.
Section 2 amends items (iii) and (iv) of subparagraph (E) of paragraph 8
of subsection (1) of section 3221 of the insurance law and adds a new
item (v) to require coverage of an electrocardiogram test and interpre-
tation for adults and children who have received a coronavirus vaccine,
regardless of family history of heart disease, if ordered by a physician
or other licensed professional authorized to perform the test under the
education law, in accordance with prevailing clinical standards.
Section 3 amends section 4303 of the insurance law and adds a new
subparagraph (E) to require coverage of an electrocardiogram test and
interpretation for adults and children who have received a coronavirus
vaccine, regardless of family history of heart disease, if ordered by a
physician or other licensed professional authorized to perform the test
under the education law, in accordance with prevailing clinical stand-
ards.
Section 4 amends subdivision 2 of section 365-a of the social services
law to require coverage of an electrocardiogram test and interpretation
for adults and children who have received a coronavirus vaccine, regard-
less of family history of heart disease, if ordered by a physician or
other licensed professional authorized to perform the test, in accord-
ance with prevailing clinical standards. This provision will not take
effect unless all necessary federal approvals are obtained to receive
federal financial participation in the costs of the services.
Section 5 provides that this act shall take effect immediately and
shall. apply to all applicable policies issued, delivered, renewed, or
modified on or after the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Under current law, individuals who have received a coronavirus vaccine
but have no family history of heart disease or conditions may be denied
insurance coverage for an electrocardiogram. This bill ensures that if a
physician or other licensed health care professional recommends an elec-
trocardiogram following vaccination, the patient will be able to receive
it regardless of family history. The vaccine can cause heart-related
issues, and timely access to an electrocardiogram will help facilitate
earlier diagnosis and treatment, improving health outcomes and reducing
the risk of more serious complications.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S8550: 365-a social services law, 365-a(2) social services law