A 5255 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Provides for coverage for the treatment of asthma

This bill requires health insurance plans to cover specific asthma treatments and education. It mandates coverage for rescue inhalers, spacers, nebulizers, and related equipment for all policyholders, with additional school supplies for children under 19. Insurance must also cover asthma self-management education - taught by certified providers - during diagnosis, when symptoms change significantly, or for refresher sessions, including home visits when medically necessary. The coverage applies to all policies issued or renewed after the effective date, subject to standard deductibles and coinsurance. This directly affects people with asthma and their families who rely on insurance for treatment.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 12, 2025 Last action May 6, 2026
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What changed between versions

A5255 A5255A · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill amends previous asthma coverage laws to ensure that insurance policies provide specific asthma medications and devices without any cost-sharing requirements, such as deductibles or copayments. It also mandates coverage for a second set of inhalers for children under nineteen and clarifies that these benefits apply to policies issued, renewed, or modified on or after the law's effective date.
Scope change
The bill's scope was modified to explicitly reference and build upon a prior law (Chapter 504 of the laws of 2025), ensuring consistency and preventing cost-sharing barriers for the newly mandated benefits.
REQUIREMENT

Removed the option for insurers to apply deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance to asthma inhalers and related devices, making these items fully covered.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a specific requirement for children under nineteen to receive a second rescue and maintenance inhaler in addition to the standard coverage.

TIMELINE

Updated the effective date clause to apply to policies issued, renewed, altered, or modified on or after the law becomes effective.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 5255A
lower
May 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO INSURANCE
lower
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO INSURANCE
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors