NY A00658

Requires health insurance plans to cover services from licensed healthcare providers in articles 132, 136, 153, 155, 156, or 160 of education law without discriminatory restrictions on co-payments, deductibles, underwriting standards, or utilization review compared to primary care providers.

Mandates fee parity requiring health services plan providers to pay licensed healthcare providers the same rates as other licensed professionals under title 8 of education law for the same procedure codes, with exceptions for quality improvement programs and geographic cost differences.

Requires healthcare practitioners to discuss and refer patients to non-pharmacological treatment alternatives (including chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, physical therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy) before prescribing opioids for neuromusculoskeletal pain, except in cases of cancer, hospice, post-surgery, or medical emergencies.

Allows certified statements from licensed healthcare providers to qualify individuals as physically disabled for property tax exemptions and disabled parking license plates, and includes licensed healthcare providers in the definition of school district health professionals.

Requires annual compliance reports to three state departments by February 1st with penalties of at least $1,000 per day for late filing, and creates a private right of action for patients to sue for damages and recover attorneys' fees for violations.