Relates to mandatory health insurance coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer

Lower lung cancer follow-up costs for patients

Beginning January 1, 2027, New York requires comprehensive health policies to cover qualifying follow-up lung cancer screening or diagnostic services. This applies to policies issued, renewed, modified, altered, or amended on or after that date. A provider acting within their scope of practice must recommend the services, and nationally recognized clinical guidelines must recommend them. These guidelines must be evidence-based and peer-reviewed, come from independent organizations or medical professional societies, and use transparent methods. They must systematically review evidence, weigh care options’ benefits and risks, and have a conflict-of-interest policy. Patients pay no cost-sharing for qualifying services. However, high-deductible plans may apply their annual deductible when waiving it would cause loss of health savings account eligibility. Insurers can still review care or require prior approval to ensure services follow the guidelines.