S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
S. 4005--A A. 6305--A
2011-2012 Regular Sessions
S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y
March 11, 2011
___________
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sens. FUSCHILLO, McDONALD, BRESLIN, DUANE,
ADAMS, ADDABBO, AVELLA, BALL, BONACIC, DeFRANCISCO, DILAN, ESPAILLAT,
FARLEY, FLANAGAN, GALLIVAN, GOLDEN, GRIFFO, GRISANTI, HANNON,
HASSELL-THOMPSON, JOHNSON, KENNEDY, KLEIN, KRUEGER, KRUGER, LANZA,
LARKIN, LAVALLE, LIBOUS, LITTLE, MARCELLINO, MARTINS, MAZIARZ, MONT-
GOMERY, NOZZOLIO, O'MARA, OPPENHEIMER, PARKER, PERALTA, PERKINS,
RITCHIE, RIVERA, ROBACH, SAMPSON, SAVINO, SKELOS, STAVISKY,
STEWART-COUSINS, VALESKY, ZELDIN -- read twice and ordered printed,
and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Insurance --
reported favorably from said committee and committed to the Committee
on Finance -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as
amended and recommitted to said committee
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. MORELLE, SILVER, NOLAN, SCHROEDER,
LAVINE, LUPARDO, GOTTFRIED, PERRY, HEVESI, CUSICK, J. RIVERA, SWEENEY,
JAFFEE, ZEBROWSKI, GALEF, MAISEL, SPANO, ROSENTHAL, ARROYO, TITONE,
WEPRIN, ABINANTI, P. RIVERA, BENEDETTO, PEOPLES-STOKES, PRETLOW,
WRIGHT, MOYA, LINARES, McENENY, COLTON, ROBERTS, GUNTHER, BRAUNSTEIN
-- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BARCLAY, CALHOUN, DUPREY, ENGLE-
BRIGHT, JORDAN, LIFTON, McDONOUGH, McKEVITT, MENG, MILLMAN, MOLINARO,
MONTESANO, PAULIN, RAIA, SALADINO, SAYWARD, SCHIMEL, TEDISCO, TOBACCO,
WEINSTEIN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance --
committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and
recommitted to said committee
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:
Section 1. Paragraph 25 of subsection (i) of section 3216 of the
insurance law, as added by chapter 557 of the laws of 2006, is amended
to read as follows:
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08567-03-1
S. 4005--A 2 A. 6305--A
(25) (A) Every policy which provides coverage for hospital[,] OR
surgical[, or medical care] coverage shall not exclude coverage for
SCREENING, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions otherwise
covered by the policy solely because the treatment is provided to diag-
nose or treat autism spectrum disorder. [For purposes of this section,
"autism spectrum disorder" means a neurobiological condition that
includes autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett's syndrome, or pervasive devel-
opmental disorder.]
(B) EVERY POLICY WHICH PROVIDES PHYSICIAN SERVICES, MEDICAL, MAJOR
MEDICAL OR SIMILAR COMPREHENSIVE-TYPE COVERAGE SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE
FOR THE SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS PARAGRAPH AND SHALL NOT EXCLUDE COVERAGE FOR THE
SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS OTHERWISE
COVERED BY THE POLICY BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL IS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDER. SUCH COVERAGE MAY BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLES,
COPAYMENTS AND COINSURANCE AS MAY BE DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE SUPER-
INTENDENT AND SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE IMPOSED ON OTHER BENEFITS
UNDER THE POLICY. THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS LIMITING THE
BENEFITS THAT ARE OTHERWISE AVAILABLE TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE POLICY,
PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT SUCH POLICY SHALL NOT CONTAIN ANY LIMITATIONS ON
VISITS THAT ARE SOLELY APPLIED TO THE TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDER. NO INSURER SHALL TERMINATE COVERAGE OR REFUSE TO DELIVER,
EXECUTE, ISSUE, AMEND, ADJUST, OR RENEW COVERAGE TO AN INDIVIDUAL SOLELY
BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL IS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER OR HAS
RECEIVED TREATMENT FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. COVERAGE SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO UTILIZATION REVIEW AND EXTERNAL APPEALS OF HEALTH CARE
SERVICES PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FORTY-NINE OF THIS CHAPTER AS WELL AS, CASE
MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER MANAGED CARE PROVISIONS.
(C) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH:
(I) "AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" MEANS ANY PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL
DISORDER AS DEFINED IN THE MOST RECENT EDITION OF THE DIAGNOSTIC AND
STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS, INCLUDING AUTISTIC DISORDER,
ASPERGER'S DISORDER, RETT'S DISORDER, CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE DISORDER,
OR PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED (PDD-NOS).
(II) "APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS" MEANS THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS, USING BEHAVIORAL STIMULI AND
CONSEQUENCES, TO PRODUCE SOCIALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN HUMAN
BEHAVIOR, INCLUDING THE USE OF DIRECT OBSERVATION, MEASUREMENT, AND
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAV-
IOR.
(III) "BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT" MEANS COUNSELING AND TREATMENT
PROGRAMS, WHEN PROVIDED BY A LICENSED PROVIDER, AND APPLIED BEHAVIOR
ANALYSIS, WHEN PROVIDED OR SUPERVISED BY A BEHAVIOR ANALYST CERTIFIED
PURSUANT TO THE BEHAVIOR ANALYST CERTIFICATION BOARD, THAT ARE NECESSARY
TO DEVELOP, MAINTAIN, OR RESTORE, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THE
FUNCTIONING OF AN INDIVIDUAL. INDIVIDUALS THAT PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
TREATMENT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST PURSUANT
TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM AND
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE SUPER-
INTENDENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.
(IV) "DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" MEANS ASSESSMENTS, EVALU-
ATIONS, OR TESTS TO DIAGNOSE WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL HAS AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDER.
(V) "PHARMACY CARE" MEANS MEDICATIONS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH
CARE PROVIDER LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO PRESCRIBE UNDER TITLE EIGHT OF THE
EDUCATION LAW.
S. 4005--A 3 A. 6305--A
(VI) "PSYCHIATRIC CARE" MEANS DIRECT OR CONSULTATIVE SERVICES PROVIDED
BY A PSYCHIATRIST LICENSED IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE PSYCHIATRIST PRAC-
TICES.
(VII) "PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE" MEANS DIRECT OR CONSULTATIVE SERVICES
PROVIDED BY A PSYCHOLOGIST LICENSED IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE PSYCHOL-
OGIST PRACTICES.
(VIII) "THERAPEUTIC CARE" MEANS SERVICES PROVIDED BY LICENSED OR
CERTIFIED SPEECH THERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, OR
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS.
(IX) "TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOW-
ING CARE AND RELATED EQUIPMENT PRESCRIBED OR ORDERED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL
DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER BY A LICENSED PHYSICIAN OR A
LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST:
(1) BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT;
(2) PSYCHIATRIC CARE;
(3) PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE;
(4) MEDICAL CARE PROVIDED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER;
(5) THERAPEUTIC CARE, INCLUDING THERAPEUTIC CARE WHICH IS DEEMED HABI-
LITATIVE OR NONRESTORATIVE, IN THE EVENT THAT THE POLICY PROVIDES COVER-
AGE FOR THERAPEUTIC CARE; AND
(6) PHARMACY CARE IN THE EVENT THAT THE POLICY PROVIDES COVERAGE FOR
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
(D) COVERAGE MAY BE DENIED ON THE BASIS THAT SUCH TREATMENT IS BEING
PROVIDED TO THE COVERED PERSON PURSUANT TO AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION
PLAN UNDER ARTICLE EIGHTY-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW. THE PROVISION OF
SERVICES PURSUANT TO AN INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN UNDER SECTION
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, AN INDIVIDUAL-
IZED EDUCATION PLAN UNDER ARTICLE EIGHTY-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW, OR
AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS OF THE OFFICE FOR
PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SHALL NOT AFFECT COVERAGE UNDER
THE POLICY FOR SERVICES PROVIDED ON A SUPPLEMENTAL BASIS OUTSIDE OF AN
EDUCATIONAL SETTING IF SUCH SERVICES ARE PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED PHYSI-
CIAN OR LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST.
(E) NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT ANY OBLI-
GATION TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER AN INDIVIDUALIZED
FAMILY SERVICE PLAN UNDER SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE OF THE
PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN UNDER ARTICLE EIGHT-
Y-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW, OR AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN PURSUANT
TO REGULATIONS OF THE OFFICE FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILI-
TIES.
(F) NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT ANY OBLI-
GATION TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR OTHERWISE-COVERED SERVICES SOLELY ON THE
BASIS THAT THE SERVICES CONSTITUTE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM SERVICES
PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE-A OF THIS
ARTICLE OR AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS OF THE
OFFICE FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
(G) NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PREVENT A POLICY
FROM PROVIDING SERVICES THROUGH A NETWORK OF PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS WHO
SHALL MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION, INCLUDING PROVIDER
CREDENTIALING.
S 2. Paragraph 17 of subsection (l) of section 3221 of the insurance
law, as added by chapter 557 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as
follows:
(17) [A] (A) EVERY group or blanket accident [or] AND health insurance
policy [or issuing a group or blanket policy] DELIVERED OR ISSUED for
delivery in this state which provides coverage for hospital[,] OR surgi-
S. 4005--A 4 A. 6305--A
cal[, or medical] care coverage shall not exclude coverage for SCREEN-
ING, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions otherwise covered by
the policy because the treatment is provided to diagnose or treat autism
spectrum disorder. [For purposes of this section, "autism spectrum
disorder" means a neurobiological condition that includes autism, Asper-
ger syndrome, Rett's syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder.]
(B) EVERY GROUP OR BLANKET POLICY WHICH PROVIDES PHYSICIAN SERVICES,
MEDICAL, MAJOR MEDICAL OR SIMILAR COMPREHENSIVE-TYPE COVERAGE SHALL
PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR THE SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS PARAGRAPH AND SHALL NOT
EXCLUDE COVERAGE FOR THE SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF MEDICAL
CONDITIONS OTHERWISE COVERED BY THE POLICY BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL IS
DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. SUCH COVERAGE MAY BE SUBJECT TO
ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLES, COPAYMENTS AND COINSURANCE AS MAY BE DEEMED APPRO-
PRIATE BY THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE IMPOSED
ON OTHER BENEFITS UNDER THE GROUP OR BLANKET POLICY. THIS PARAGRAPH
SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS LIMITING THE BENEFITS THAT ARE OTHERWISE
AVAILABLE TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE GROUP OR BLANKET POLICY, PROVIDED
HOWEVER THAT SUCH POLICY SHALL NOT CONTAIN ANY LIMITATIONS ON VISITS
THAT ARE SOLELY APPLIED TO THE TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. NO
INSURER SHALL TERMINATE COVERAGE OR REFUSE TO DELIVER, EXECUTE, ISSUE,
AMEND, ADJUST, OR RENEW COVERAGE TO AN INDIVIDUAL SOLELY BECAUSE THE
INDIVIDUAL IS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER OR HAS RECEIVED
TREATMENT FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. COVERAGE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO
UTILIZATION REVIEW AND EXTERNAL APPEALS OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES PURSUANT
TO ARTICLE FORTY-NINE OF THIS CHAPTER AS WELL AS, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND
OTHER MANAGED CARE PROVISIONS.
(C) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH:
(I) "AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" MEANS ANY PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL
DISORDER AS DEFINED IN THE MOST RECENT EDITION OF THE DIAGNOSTIC AND
STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS, INCLUDING AUTISTIC DISORDER,
ASPERGER'S DISORDER, RETT'S DISORDER, CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE DISORDER,
OR PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED (PDD-NOS).
(II) "APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS" MEANS THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS, USING BEHAVIORAL STIMULI AND
CONSEQUENCES, TO PRODUCE SOCIALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN HUMAN
BEHAVIOR, INCLUDING THE USE OF DIRECT OBSERVATION, MEASUREMENT, AND
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAV-
IOR.
(III) "BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT" MEANS COUNSELING AND TREATMENT
PROGRAMS, WHEN PROVIDED BY A LICENSED PROVIDER, AND APPLIED BEHAVIOR
ANALYSIS, WHEN PROVIDED OR SUPERVISED BY A BEHAVIOR ANALYST CERTIFIED
PURSUANT TO THE BEHAVIOR ANALYST CERTIFICATION BOARD, THAT ARE NECESSARY
TO DEVELOP, MAINTAIN, OR RESTORE, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THE
FUNCTIONING OF AN INDIVIDUAL. INDIVIDUALS THAT PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
TREATMENT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST PURSUANT
TO THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM AND
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE SUPER-
INTENDENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.
(IV) "DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" MEANS ASSESSMENTS, EVALU-
ATIONS, OR TESTS TO DIAGNOSE WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL HAS AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDER.
(V) "PHARMACY CARE" MEANS MEDICATIONS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH
CARE PROVIDER LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO PRESCRIBE UNDER TITLE EIGHT OF THE
EDUCATION LAW.
S. 4005--A 5 A. 6305--A
(VI) "PSYCHIATRIC CARE" MEANS DIRECT OR CONSULTATIVE SERVICES PROVIDED
BY A PSYCHIATRIST LICENSED IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE PSYCHIATRIST PRAC-
TICES.
(VII) "PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE" MEANS DIRECT OR CONSULTATIVE SERVICES
PROVIDED BY A PSYCHOLOGIST LICENSED IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE PSYCHOL-
OGIST PRACTICES.
(VIII) "THERAPEUTIC CARE" MEANS SERVICES PROVIDED BY LICENSED OR
CERTIFIED SPEECH THERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, OR
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS.
(IX) "TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOW-
ING CARE AND RELATED EQUIPMENT PRESCRIBED OR ORDERED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL
DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER BY A LICENSED PHYSICIAN OR A
LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST:
(1) BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT;
(2) PSYCHIATRIC CARE;
(3) PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE;
(4) MEDICAL CARE PROVIDED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER;
(5) THERAPEUTIC CARE, INCLUDING THERAPEUTIC CARE WHICH IS DEEMED HABI-
LITATIVE OR NONRESTORATIVE, IN THE EVENT THAT THE POLICY PROVIDES COVER-
AGE FOR THERAPEUTIC CARE; AND
(6) PHARMACY CARE IN THE EVENT THAT THE POLICY PROVIDES COVERAGE FOR
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
(D) COVERAGE MAY BE DENIED ON THE BASIS THAT SUCH TREATMENT IS BEING
PROVIDED TO THE COVERED PERSON PURSUANT TO AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION
PLAN UNDER ARTICLE EIGHTY-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW. THE PROVISION OF
SERVICES PURSUANT TO AN INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN UNDER SECTION
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, AN INDIVIDUAL-
IZED EDUCATION PLAN UNDER ARTICLE EIGHTY-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW, OR
AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS OF THE OFFICE FOR
PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SHALL NOT AFFECT COVERAGE UNDER
THE POLICY FOR SERVICES PROVIDED ON A SUPPLEMENTAL BASIS OUTSIDE OF AN
EDUCATIONAL SETTING IF SUCH SERVICES ARE PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED PHYSI-
CIAN OR LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST.
(E) NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT ANY OBLI-
GATION TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER AN INDIVIDUALIZED
FAMILY SERVICE PLAN UNDER SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE OF THE
PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN UNDER ARTICLE EIGHT-
Y-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW, OR AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN PURSUANT
TO REGULATIONS OF THE OFFICE FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILI-
TIES.
(F) NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT ANY OBLI-
GATION TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR OTHERWISE-COVERED SERVICES SOLELY ON THE
BASIS THAT THE SERVICES CONSTITUTE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM SERVICES
PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE-A OF THIS
ARTICLE OR AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS OF THE
OFFICE FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
(G) NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PREVENT A GROUP OR
BLANKET POLICY FROM PROVIDING SERVICES THROUGH A NETWORK OF PARTICIPAT-
ING PROVIDERS WHO SHALL MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION,
INCLUDING PROVIDER CREDENTIALING.
S 3. Subsection (ee) of section 4303 of the insurance law, as added by
chapter 557 of the laws of 2006, is amended to read as follows:
(ee) (1) A medical expense indemnity corporation, a hospital service
corporation or a health service corporation which provides coverage for
hospital[,] OR surgical[, or medical] care coverage shall not exclude
coverage for SCREENING, diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions
S. 4005--A 6 A. 6305--A
otherwise covered by the policy solely because the treatment is provided
to diagnose or treat autism spectrum disorder. [For purposes of this
section, "autism spectrum disorder" means a neurobiological condition
that includes autism, Asperger syndrome, Rett's syndrome, or pervasive
developmental disorder.]
(2) EVERY POLICY WHICH PROVIDES PHYSICIAN SERVICES, MEDICAL, MAJOR
MEDICAL OR SIMILAR COMPREHENSIVE-TYPE COVERAGE SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE
FOR THE SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBSECTION AND SHALL NOT EXCLUDE COVERAGE FOR
THE SCREENING, DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS OTHERWISE
COVERED BY THE POLICY BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL IS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM
SPECTRUM DISORDER. SUCH COVERAGE MAY BE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLES,
COPAYMENTS AND COINSURANCE AS MAY BE DEEMED APPROPRIATE BY THE SUPER-
INTENDENT AND SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE IMPOSED ON OTHER BENEFITS
UNDER THE POLICY. THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS LIMITING THE
BENEFITS THAT ARE OTHERWISE AVAILABLE TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER THE POLICY,
PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT SUCH POLICY SHALL NOT CONTAIN ANY LIMITATIONS ON
VISITS THAT ARE SOLELY APPLIED TO THE TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDER. NO INSURER SHALL TERMINATE COVERAGE OR REFUSE TO DELIVER,
EXECUTE, ISSUE, AMEND, ADJUST, OR RENEW COVERAGE TO AN INDIVIDUAL SOLELY
BECAUSE THE INDIVIDUAL IS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER OR HAS
RECEIVED TREATMENT FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. COVERAGE SHALL BE
SUBJECT TO UTILIZATION REVIEW AND EXTERNAL APPEALS OF HEALTH CARE
SERVICES PURSUANT TO ARTICLE FORTY-NINE OF THIS CHAPTER AS WELL AS, CASE
MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER MANAGED CARE PROVISIONS.
(3) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBSECTION:
(A) "AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" MEANS ANY PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL
DISORDER AS DEFINED IN THE MOST RECENT EDITION OF THE DIAGNOSTIC AND
STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS, INCLUDING AUTISTIC DISORDER,
ASPERGER'S DISORDER, RETT'S DISORDER, CHILDHOOD DISINTEGRATIVE DISORDER,
OR PERVASIVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDER NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED (PDD-NOS).
(B) "APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS" MEANS THE DESIGN, IMPLEMENTATION, AND
EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MODIFICATIONS, USING BEHAVIORAL STIMULI AND
CONSEQUENCES, TO PRODUCE SOCIALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN HUMAN
BEHAVIOR, INCLUDING THE USE OF DIRECT OBSERVATION, MEASUREMENT, AND
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAV-
IOR.
(C) "BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT" MEANS COUNSELING AND TREATMENT
PROGRAMS, WHEN PROVIDED BY A LICENSED PROVIDER, AND APPLIED BEHAVIOR
ANALYSIS, WHEN PROVIDED OR SUPERVISED BY A BEHAVIOR ANALYST CERTIFIED
PURSUANT TO THE BEHAVIOR ANALYST CERTIFICATION BOARD, THAT ARE NECESSARY
TO DEVELOP, MAINTAIN, OR RESTORE, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PRACTICABLE, THE
FUNCTIONING OF AN INDIVIDUAL. INDIVIDUALS THAT PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
TREATMENT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF A CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYST PURSUANT
TO THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE SUBJECT TO STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM AND
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS PROMULGATED BY THE SUPER-
INTENDENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.
(D) "DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" MEANS ASSESSMENTS, EVALU-
ATIONS, OR TESTS TO DIAGNOSE WHETHER AN INDIVIDUAL HAS AUTISM SPECTRUM
DISORDER.
(E) "PHARMACY CARE" MEANS MEDICATIONS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH
CARE PROVIDER LEGALLY AUTHORIZED TO PRESCRIBE UNDER TITLE EIGHT OF THE
EDUCATION LAW.
(F) "PSYCHIATRIC CARE" MEANS DIRECT OR CONSULTATIVE SERVICES PROVIDED
BY A PSYCHIATRIST LICENSED IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE PSYCHIATRIST PRAC-
TICES.
S. 4005--A 7 A. 6305--A
(G) "PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE" MEANS DIRECT OR CONSULTATIVE SERVICES
PROVIDED BY A PSYCHOLOGIST LICENSED IN THE STATE IN WHICH THE PSYCHOL-
OGIST PRACTICES.
(H) "THERAPEUTIC CARE" MEANS SERVICES PROVIDED BY LICENSED OR CERTI-
FIED SPEECH THERAPISTS, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, OR
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS.
(I) "TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER" SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOW-
ING CARE AND RELATED EQUIPMENT PRESCRIBED OR ORDERED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL
DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER BY A LICENSED PHYSICIAN OR A
LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST:
(I) BEHAVIORAL HEALTH TREATMENT;
(II) PSYCHIATRIC CARE;
(III) PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE;
(IV) MEDICAL CARE PROVIDED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER;
(V) THERAPEUTIC CARE, INCLUDING THERAPEUTIC CARE WHICH IS DEEMED HABI-
LITATIVE OR NONRESTORATIVE, IN THE EVENT THAT THE POLICY PROVIDES COVER-
AGE FOR THERAPEUTIC CARE; AND
(VI) PHARMACY CARE IN THE EVENT THAT THE POLICY PROVIDES COVERAGE FOR
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
(4) COVERAGE MAY BE DENIED ON THE BASIS THAT SUCH TREATMENT IS BEING
PROVIDED TO THE COVERED PERSON PURSUANT TO AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION
PLAN UNDER ARTICLE EIGHTY-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW. THE PROVISION OF
SERVICES PURSUANT TO AN INDIVIDUALIZED FAMILY SERVICE PLAN UNDER SECTION
TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, AN INDIVIDUAL-
IZED EDUCATION PLAN UNDER ARTICLE EIGHTY-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW, OR
AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS OF THE OFFICE FOR
PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SHALL NOT AFFECT COVERAGE UNDER
THE POLICY FOR SERVICES PROVIDED ON A SUPPLEMENTAL BASIS OUTSIDE OF AN
EDUCATIONAL SETTING IF SUCH SERVICES ARE PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED PHYSI-
CIAN OR LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST.
(5) NOTHING IN THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT ANY OBLI-
GATION TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO AN INDIVIDUAL UNDER AN INDIVIDUALIZED
FAMILY SERVICE PLAN UNDER SECTION TWENTY-FIVE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE OF THE
PUBLIC HEALTH LAW, AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN UNDER ARTICLE EIGHT-
Y-NINE OF THE EDUCATION LAW, OR AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN PURSUANT
TO REGULATIONS OF THE OFFICE FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILI-
TIES.
(6) NOTHING IN THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT ANY OBLI-
GATION TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR OTHERWISE-COVERED SERVICES SOLELY ON THE
BASIS THAT THE SERVICES CONSTITUTE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM SERVICES
PURSUANT TO SECTION THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE-A OF THIS
ARTICLE OR AN INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICE PLAN PURSUANT TO REGULATIONS OF THE
OFFICE FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
(7) NOTHING IN THIS SUBSECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PREVENT A POLICY
FROM PROVIDING SERVICES THROUGH A NETWORK OF PARTICIPATING PROVIDERS WHO
SHALL MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION, INCLUDING PROVIDER
CREDENTIALING.
S 4. Severability clause. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivi-
sion, section or part of this act shall be adjudged by any court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgement shall not affect,
impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in
its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section
or part thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judg-
ment shall have rendered. It is hereby declared to be the intent of the
legislature that this act would have been enacted even if such invalid
provisions had not been included herein.
S. 4005--A 8 A. 6305--A
S 5. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
ing the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to all
policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on
or after such date.