New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation requiring insurers to cover follow-up screening and diagnostic services for lung cancer without imposing cost sharing on members.
The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, and amends state insurance law governing individual, group policies, and HMO policies.
Under the legislation, insurers must cover follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer when recommended by a provider and consistent with nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines. The law defines such guidelines as evidence-based, peer-reviewed recommendations developed by independent organizations or medical professional societies with transparent methodologies and conflict of interest policies.
The law does not prevent insurers from applying medical management or utilization review, including prior authorization, to ensure services align with clinical guidelines. For high-deductible health plans, coverage may remain subject to the annual deductible if eliminating cost sharing would disqualify members from HSA eligibility.
