Bill > A06314

This bill requires large group health insurance policies to provide coverage for backup cochlear implant devices for patients who use these medical devices. Specifically, the legislation mandates that insurers cover an additional set of external components, including a processor, for patients with severe to profound hearing loss. The backup device must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare practitioner and will be available throughout the patient's active use of the cochlear implant, including during necessary upgrades. Currently, backup devices are only provided during initial implantation, but this bill aims to extend coverage for future device replacements and maintenance. The coverage will be subject to standard insurance policy deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, and will be consistent with other similar benefits. A cochlear implant is defined as a surgically implanted medical device that helps individuals with significant hearing loss hear by converting sound into electrical signals. The bill is set to take effect on January 1, 2027, and will apply to all insurance policies issued, renewed, or modified on or after that date.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A6314