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NY A04262
Bill
Status
1/31/2025
Primary Sponsor
David Weprin
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AI Summary
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Requires all health insurance policies and managed care plans to cover services from licensed nonpharmacological healthcare providers (chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists) without imposing higher co-payments, more restrictive limits, or discriminatory utilization review compared to primary care providers
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Mandates fee parity so insurers cannot pay licensed nonpharmacological providers less than other healthcare professionals for the same services identified under standardized procedural terminology codes
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Requires healthcare practitioners to discuss and refer or prescribe non-pharmacological treatment alternatives with patients before starting opioid treatment for neuromusculoskeletal conditions causing pain, with exceptions for cancer, hospice care, post-surgery, and medical emergencies
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Expands authority for licensed nonpharmacological providers to certify physical disability for property tax exemptions, disabled license plates, and employment by school districts
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Establishes enforcement through mandatory annual compliance reports to the Departments of Health, Financial Services, and Labor, with fines of at least $1,000 per day for late filing, and creates a private right of action for patients and providers to recover actual damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees for violations
Legislative Description
Enacts the Health Care Nondiscrimination Act; requires insurance coverage and health plans to implement equality and non-discrimination between licensed health care providers; requires fee parity between different classes of licensed providers providing the similar or like-kind services; requires practitioners to discuss and refer or prescribe non-pharmacological treatment alternatives before prescribing an opioid treatment; allows any licensed health care provider to perform certain services, including certifying disability and employment by school districts; provides for enforcement and penalties.
Last Action
referred to insurance
1/7/2026