NY A02198

Repeals paragraph 11-b of section 3216 of the insurance law relating to colorectal cancer coverage requirements for individual policies.

Amends insurance law section 3221 to require large group health insurance policies to cover colorectal cancer preventive screenings in accordance with American Cancer Society Guidelines for average risk individuals, including initial colonoscopies and follow-up procedures resulting from positive screening tests.

Adds new section 339 to insurance law requiring insurers, health maintenance organizations, and other health plans to notify insureds and enrollees at least annually about covered colorectal cancer screenings and current American Cancer Society screening guidelines, with notices delivered by mail unless enrollee consents to electronic notification.

Extends colorectal cancer screening coverage requirements to large group contracts under article 43 of the insurance law with identical coverage standards and cost-sharing prohibitions as those applied to large group policies.

Modifies the effective date provision to specify that coverage requirements apply to policies issued, renewed, modified, altered, or amended on or after six months following issuance of applicable American Cancer Society guidelines.