Bill > S07987

This bill, known as the Continuity of Cancer Care Act (COCCA), ensures that cancer patients can continue receiving treatment without interruption during insurance contract negotiations. The bill defines a "course of treatment" as the cancer treatment protocol that has been administered, including follow-up care for up to 90 days after the patient is considered clinically stable. "Clinical stability" is defined as either the patient showing positive treatment results without ongoing complications or receiving maintenance treatment to prevent cancer recurrence. If an insurance provider and healthcare provider cannot agree on a contract during negotiations, the insurance company must continue to cover the patient's cancer treatments at the previous contract's rate, with a slight annual adjustment based on the Medicare Economic Index. This provision applies to treatments at hospitals, doctors' offices, and other oncology providers, and ensures that patients can complete their entire course of treatment without facing potential gaps in coverage or being forced to change providers mid-treatment. The bill amends several sections of New York's insurance and public health laws to implement these protections for cancer patients.

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https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7987