NY A03980

Requires all individual health insurance policies providing hospital, surgical, or medical care coverage to include outpatient coverage for lactation consultant services, subject to annual deductibles and co-insurance consistent with other policy benefits.

Mandates group and blanket health insurance policies delivered or issued in New York that cover hospital, surgical, or medical care to provide coverage for lactation consultant services.

Requires medical expense indemnity corporations, hospital service corporations, and health service corporations providing hospital, surgical, or medical care coverage to include lactation consultant services.

Defines "lactation consultant" as a professionally certified counselor who evaluates and manages lactation and infant feeding problems and provides preventive clinical consulting.

Takes effect January 1 following enactment and applies to all insurance policies, contracts, and plans issued, renewed, modified, altered, or amended on or after the effective date.