Prohibits the application of fail-first or step therapy protocols to coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of serious mental health conditions; defines serious mental health condition.
Requires medical records to be made available to patients in an electronic format through a web portal and in a format that allows patients to save records to their own device; requires electronic medical records systems to give qualified persons access to records in a single, secure format and to establish policies and procedures to endure confidentiality.
Establishes a special needs assisted living demonstration program to authorize up to three assisted living programs throughout the state to serve individuals with special needs, including, but not limited to, individuals with dementia or cognitive impairments.
This bill creates two programs to support dentists practicing in underserved areas of New York. It allocates $1.2 million annually (2025-2028) for loan repayment, covering up to 8 dentists trained in teaching hospitals and others working in underserved communities, with a 3-year practice commitment. An additional $3 million annually funds practice support, offering up to $70,000 per year for private practice or $50,000 for other settings, prioritizing dentists from teaching hospitals. Funding is distributed regionally (1/3 to NYC, 2/3 statewide) without competitive bidding. The programs target general/pediatric dentists and aim to address shortages in communities determined by the commissioner.
Establishes an office of the state medical indemnity fund ombudsperson and a medical indemnity fund advisory panel to advocate for, assist and represent the interests of qualified plaintiffs.
Increases the maximum amount of individual awards for the physician loan repayment program and physician practice support program to encourage physicians to practice in underserved areas.
This bill establishes a state-run emergency insulin program to provide affordable access to analog insulins (life-saving prescription medications for managing type 1 and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes) for uninsured or underinsured individuals at risk of serious health complications. It creates an emergency insulin program trust fund (funded by state appropriations and contributions from insulin manufacturers) to cover costs, allowing pharmacies with 20+ locations and certain facilities to dispense insulin without individual prescriptions through a sliding-scale cost-sharing system capped at $100 for a 30-day supply. The program must be operational by April 1, 2026, and requires the health commissioner to report annually on program participation, insulin types distributed, costs, and public-private partnerships. The bill directly affects vulnerable diabetic patients and healthcare providers participating in the program, focusing on immediate emergency access rather than long-term coverage changes.
This bill increases monthly personal needs allowances for residents in specific care facilities. It raises the amount from $55 to $140 per month for residents of residential health care facilities (like nursing homes), and from $35 to $89 per month for residents of developmental disability or mental health facilities. Veterans with reduced VA pensions in nursing homes will receive allowances matching their pension amount (capped at $196/month). These changes apply to individuals eligible for federal Supplemental Security Income or state payments, effective January 2027.
Requires genetic testing results only be received by patients and health care providers providing direct care while health insurance companies only receive a record that the genetic testing was performed; provides insurers cannot require access to genetic testing results and cannot take adverse action against someone for not providing genetic testing results.
This bill requires all health insurance policies in New York to cover doula services as part of mandated maternity care. It directly affects health insurers and policyholders by adding doulas (non-medical birth support professionals) to the list of covered services alongside hospital stays and midwife care. The key provision amends insurance law to mandate that maternity coverage includes doula services for at least 48 hours post-birth (or 96 hours for C-sections), without duplicating physician or midwife services already provided. This applies to all new, renewed, or modified policies issued 180 days after the law takes effect.
