The New York State Department of Financial Services published an update on legislation signed by Governor Kathy Hochul that requires health insurance policies to cover follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer with no patient cost-sharing. The measure prevents insurance policies from imposing cost-sharing for those services. The release notes that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in New York State, with approximately 13,900 residents diagnosed and about 7,400 deaths each year. It also links the change to other affordability measures affecting state-regulated insurance plans, including eliminating cost-sharing for insulin and life-saving inhalers and implementing regulations aimed at business practices that increase drug costs for consumers.
New York State Department of Financial Services 2025-12-04
New York State Department of Financial Services reports New York law will require no-cost coverage for follow-up lung cancer screening and diagnostic services
The New York State Department of Financial Services announced legislation requiring health insurance to cover lung cancer follow-up screenings and diagnostics without patient cost-sharing. This aligns with efforts to eliminate cost-sharing for insulin and inhalers and regulate practices that raise drug costs. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in New York, with significant annual diagnoses and fatalities.