New York Assembly Bill A06314

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/25
• Refer: 3/4/25
• Report Pass: 6/10/25
• Refer: 6/10/25
• Report Pass: 6/11/25

Caption

Requires insurance coverage to backup devices for patients with cochlear implants during the initial implantation and for replacements and upgrades.

Impact

If passed, A06314 will significantly impact health insurance policies in New York, particularly for large group medical plans. The bill mandates that these policies provide coverage for a backup cochlear implant device, underlining the necessity of such devices for ongoing patient care. The legislation also allows insurance providers to implement deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for the backup devices, thereby creating a structured reimbursement model that recognizes the value of continuous cochlear implant usage.

Summary

Bill A06314 aims to amend the insurance law in New York to ensure that patients who rely on cochlear implants have continuous access to backup devices throughout their treatment. It highlights the importance of cochlear implants for individuals with severe to profound hearing loss and addresses the current gap in coverage where backup devices are only provided during initial implantation but not during subsequent upgrades or replacements. This bill intends to fill that void, allowing patients to maintain uninterrupted use of their hearing devices, which are crucial for their quality of life.

Contention

There may be discussions surrounding the financial implications of this bill, particularly how it might affect insurance rates and the cost of care. Some stakeholders might argue that requiring insurance companies to provide additional coverage could lead to increased premiums for policyholders, while others will contend that the benefits of ensuring uninterrupted access to life-changing medical devices outweigh these concerns. These discussions reflect a broader debate on healthcare accessibility and the responsibilities of insurance providers in catering to patients’ medical needs.