NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9013
SPONSOR: Abinanti TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to
coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum
disorder
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL: To delete the provision that thera-
peutic care will only be covered in the event that the policy provides
coverage for therapeutic care,
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Section 1 of the bill amends insur-
ance law section 3216 (i) (25) (C) (ix) (5), as amended by chapter 596
of the laws of 2011, to delete the provision that therapeutic care will
only be covered in the event that the policy provides coverage for ther-
apeutic care.
Section 2 of the bill amends insurance law section 2221 (1) (17) (C)(ix)
(5), as amended by chapter 596 of the laws of 2011, to delete the afore-
mentioned provision.
Section 3 of the bill amends insurance law section 4303 (cc) (3) (I)
(v), as amended by chapter 596 of the laws of 2011, to delete the afore-
mentioned provision.
Section 4 of the bill provides for an effective date on the same date
and in the same manner as chapter 595 of the laws of 2011, as amended,
takes effect.
JUSTIFICATION: Autism is the fastest growing disabling disorder
affecting American children. Research demonstrates that early diagnosis
and treatment of autism spectrum disorders is essential and should be
provided as soon as possible without interruption. Delay or interruption
of treatment may cause irreversible affects. This legislation will
relieve families from the burden of the high cost of therapeutic care,
including therapeutic care which is deemed habilitative or nonrestora-
tive, as prescribed by a licensed physician or psychologist for the
treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: None
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: The cost implications have not been fully deter-
mined. The treatment of autism spectrum disorders will result in better
long-term health outcomes for those diagnosed with this condition and
should therefore lessen costs which are borne by taxpayers.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The same date and in the same manner as chapter 595
of the laws of 2011, as amended, takes effect.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9013
IN ASSEMBLY
January 13, 2012
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to coverage for the
screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subclause 5 of clause (ix) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph
2 25 of subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law, as amended by
3 chapter 596 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
4 (5) therapeutic care, including therapeutic care which is deemed habi-
5 litative or nonrestorative[, in the event that the policy provides
6 coverage for therapeutic care]; and
7 § 2. Subclause 5 of clause (ix) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph 17
8 of subsection (1) of section 3221 of the insurance law, as amended by
9 chapter 596 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
10 (5) therapeutic care, including therapeutic care which is deemed habi-
11 litative or nonrestorative[, in the event that the policy provides
12 coverage for therapeutic care]; and
13 § 3. Clause (v) of subparagraph (I) of paragraph 3 of subsection (ee)
14 of section 4303 of the insurance law, as amended by chapter 596 of the
15 laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
16 (v) therapeutic care, including therapeutic care which is deemed habi-
17 litative or nonrestorative[, in the event that the policy provides
18 coverage for therapeutic care]; and
19 § 4. This act shall take effect on the same date and in the same
20 manner as chapter 595 of the laws of 2011, as amended, takes effect.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13894-01-2
