Bill > S05972

This bill amends New York's insurance and public health laws to allow pregnant individuals to enroll in health insurance plans outside of the standard enrollment periods, which are typically limited to specific times of the year or triggered by certain life events. Specifically, it mandates that insurers, corporations organized under Article 43 of the insurance law (often non-profit health plans), and licensed health maintenance organizations (HMOs) must permit enrollment of a pregnant individual at any point after their pregnancy begins, provided it is certified by a licensed healthcare practitioner. This special enrollment period is intended to ensure that pregnant individuals can access necessary healthcare coverage without delay, with coverage becoming effective on the first day of the month in which the pregnancy is certified. The bill also clarifies that these provisions apply to qualified health plans issued, renewed, or modified on or after its effective date, which is set for January 1st of the year following its enactment.