The New York State Conference of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans voiced affordability concerns over three payer-focused mandates that went into effect Jan. 1.
The mandates include first-in-the-nation scalp-cooling coverage for chemotherapy patients, EpiPen out-of-pocket caps and expanded access, and broader coverage of breast cancer procedures, according to the website of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. A state law limiting cost-sharing for asthma inhalers is slated to go into effect in 2027, as well.
“With these new laws going into effect, individuals will be able to focus on their health and well-being without having to worry about the financial burdens tied to treatments,” Ms. Hochul said in a statement.
However, the group of New York health plans — Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York — said in a Dec. 31 statement that the new mandates would do the opposite and elevate costs.
“New Yorkers are facing a very real healthcare affordability crisis,” Lev Ginsburg, executive director of NYSCOP, said in a statement shared with Becker’s. “We must be honest about the economics. Every time the state adds a new mandate, it increases the underlying cost of insurance.”
The consortium said over 70 relevant mandates were in place, as of Dec. 31.
“The cumulative effect is a significant and unsustainable increase in premiums for every individual and small business in the state,” he said.
