New York State Department of Financial Services Acting Superintendent Kaitlin Asrow used a joint legislative public hearing on the FY 2026 Executive Budget for Health to set out DFS priorities across affordability, innovation, and stability, linking recent supervisory and policy actions to Executive Budget proposals affecting health insurance markets. Asrow highlighted that DFS returned more than USD 134 million to New Yorkers through restitution over the past year and described initiatives focused on insurance affordability, including a campaign to promote available insurance discounts. She pointed to 2025 rules on access to mental health and substance use disorder care that entitle consumers to an initial appointment within 10 days of request, with insurers required to provide out-of-network coverage at in-network prices when network standards cannot be met, alongside a consumer education campaign with the Office of Mental Health. Other updates included regulations requiring commercial insurers to collect voluntarily disclosed demographic data, a formal request issued in January for insurer data on primary care spending and effective utilization programs, expansion of DFS Connect for prescription drug price and pharmacy benefit manager complaints and for insurer filings and licensing workflows, and the Department’s first internal artificial intelligence use policy plus AI guidance for regulated entities, including on AI in insurance underwriting and pricing. On stability and enforcement, she cited a rebuilt and modernized Insurance Frauds Bureau and said the Executive Budget would enhance state capacity to investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. On the FY 2026 Executive Budget proposals, she highlighted measures to expand continuity of care protections so consumers changing carriers can keep seeing an existing provider for 90 days or through completion of post-partum care, and to eliminate repetitive prior authorizations for medically necessary treatments for chronic conditions. Asrow said DFS plans a public education campaign on the health insurance claims process and will return to testify at the Economic Development Joint Legislative Hearing on February 26.
New York State Department of Financial Services 2026-02-10
New York State Department of Financial Services outlines FY 2026 budget health proposals and highlights recent health insurance rules and AI oversight
New York State Department of Financial Services Acting Superintendent Kaitlin Asrow outlined DFS priorities at a legislative hearing on the FY 2026 Executive Budget for Health, focusing on affordability, innovation, and stability in health insurance markets. Key initiatives include insurance affordability campaigns, mental health care access rules, demographic data collection by insurers, AI policy guidance, and improved fraud investigation capabilities.