NY A09826

Expands Medicaid coverage to include asthma self-management training services for persons and parents of persons with asthma, including information on proper use of devices and environmental triggers, when ordered by authorized healthcare providers and delivered by certified asthma educators.

Requires all health insurance policies that cover physician office services or major medical coverage to include coverage for asthma treatment equipment and supplies, including rescue inhalers, nebulizers, spacers, valved holding chambers, and masks.

Mandates insurance coverage for asthma self-management education for persons with asthma or parents of children with asthma, limited to medically necessary visits upon diagnosis, significant symptom changes, or refresher education, which may be provided by physicians or certified asthma nurse educators and may include home visits when medically necessary.

Authorizes the Department of Health Commissioner to establish and periodically update a list of additional asthma equipment and supplies requiring coverage as medically necessary for asthma treatment.

Allows coverage to be subject to annual deductibles and coinsurance consistent with other policy benefits and takes effect January 1st following enactment, applying to all policies issued, renewed, altered, or modified on or after that date.