New York State Assembly

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Bill No.:  

 
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A06146 Summary:

BILL NO	A06146
SAME AS	SAME AS S04571
SPONSOR	Barrett
COSPNSR	Cahill, Buchwald, DiPietro, Lupardo, Otis, Woerner, Zebrowski, Arroyo, Englebright, Santabarbara, Colton, Steck, Thiele, Jacobson, Mosley, Gunther, Blake, Gottfried, Simon, Cook, D'Urso, DeStefano, Galef, Hyndman, Jaffee, Smullen, LiPetri, Schmitt, Raia, Salka, Sayegh, Jean-Pierre, Glick, Lifton, Walczyk, Norris, Palumbo, Magnarelli, Palmesano, Buttenschon, McDonald, Jones, Fahy, Wallace
MLTSPNSR	Byrnes, Griffin, Morinello, Walsh
Directs the department of financial services, in consultation with the commissioner of health, to study and report upon insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease.

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A06146 Floor Votes:

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A06146 Memo:

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION
 submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)



 
BILL NUMBER: A6146               REVISED 07/11/19
 
SPONSOR: Barrett

 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act directing the department of financial services,
in consultation with the commissioner of the department of health, to
study and report upon the adequacy of insurance coverage for the treat-
ment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases
 
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
 
To review insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme disease and other
tick-borne related diseases within New York State.
 
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section one of the bill provides legislative findings.
 
Section two of the bill directs the superintendent of the Department of
Financial Services (DFS), in consultation with the Commissioner of
Health, to review the adequacy of insurance coverage for the treatment
of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. The study will include:
 
*the present state of insurance coverage for the treatment of Lyme
disease and other tick-borne related diseases within New York state;
 
*prevailing reasons for the denial of insurance coverage for the treat-
ment of Lyme disease and other tick-borne related diseases;
 
*the number of insureds in need of long term care of Lyme disease and
other tick-borne related diseases;
 
*The number of uninsured persons in need of long term care of Lyme
disease and other tick-borne related diseases;
 
*coverage required by other states for treatment for long-term and
chronic Lyme disease in other states;

*specific medical conditions related to Lyme disease and other tick-
borne related diseases; and
 
*recommendations to ensure that there is adequate coverage for Lyme
disease, including long term care of Lyme disease, and other tick-borne
related diseases within New York state.
 
Section three directs the superintendent of DFS to submit a report of
the department's findings and recommendations to the governor, Temporary
President of the Senate, and Speaker of the Assembly within 120 days of
the effective date of the act.
 
Section four of the bill sets forth the effective date.
 
 
JUSTIFICATION:
 
Currently, health insurance companies are often not required to cover
long-term treatment for those who suffer from chronic Lyme or other
tick-borne diseases. This is devastating for many New Yorkers. Those
suffering from chronic Lyme and other tick-borne diseases can experience
extreme and long term fatigue, nausea, depression, joint pain and many
other severe symptoms. Rhode Island and Connecticut have recognized the
toll these diseases take on victims by passing legislation that requires
insurance to cover these diseases. Many areas of New York suffer from
high incidence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, yet insurance
coverage is insufficient. The study initiated by this legislation will
provide insight into the current state of insurance coverage as it
relates to tick-borne diseases, and recommend solutions to ensure all
New Yorkers are adequately protected.
 
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
 
2018: A4863-A (Barrett) - Passed Assembly
2017: A4863-A (Barrett) - Passed Assembly
2016: A10677 (Barrett) - Referred to Insurance
 
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
 
None.
 
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

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