Bill > A02715

This bill requires Medicaid to provide comprehensive coverage for obesity treatment, including intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications. The bill specifies that these services must be provided by licensed healthcare practitioners within their legal scope of practice. The coverage criteria for anti-obesity medications cannot be more restrictive than the FDA-approved indications, and the coverage must be equivalent to coverage for other medical conditions in terms of deductibles, copayments, and other financial factors. The bill allows for utilization management to determine medical necessity, but requires these determinations to be made in the same manner as for other medical conditions. Medicaid must provide written notice to enrollees about this new coverage, including detailed information about what comprehensive obesity treatment encompasses. The bill defines "comprehensive coverage for treatment of obesity" as including intensive behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and FDA-approved anti-obesity medications, which are defined as medications approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. The bill will take effect 180 days after becoming law, with immediate authorization for preparing necessary regulations.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A2715