NY S05909

Prohibits health insurance policies and group contracts from applying fail-first or step therapy protocols to mental health condition coverage, including drug coverage.

Amends insurance law sections 3216, 3221, and 4303 to remove fail-first and step therapy protocols from the definition of permissible "treatment limitations" for mental health benefits.

Clarifies that mental health benefits, including drug coverage, cannot have more restrictive financial requirements or treatment limitations than those applied to medical and surgical benefits.

Applies to all individual policies, group policies, school blanket policies, and health maintenance organization contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered, or amended on or after the effective date.

Takes effect immediately upon enactment.