2025 Legislative Agenda
Expanding & Preserving Access to Care
Private Insurance
Mandating insurance coverage for acupuncture aligns with Chapter 732 (2022), which prioritizes non-opioid treatments for neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Acupuncture is a proven, cost- effective alternative that reduces pain, healthcare costs, and opioid dependency. Including it in insurance coverage supports safer pain management and reinforces state efforts to promote non-opioid interventions. This approach improves patient outcomes, addresses the opioid crisis, and contributes to reducing overall medical expenses in New York’s healthcare system.
SUPPORT – Health Insurance Parity Legislation – To Be Introduced
ASNY is advocating for legislation ensuring equitable insurance coverage for acupuncture services by licensed acupuncturists. The bill mandates fair treatment under managed care and major medical plans, preventing discriminatory restrictions compared to other healthcare providers. It also protects coverage for acupuncture-related care, including dietary supplements and natural products. However, it excludes employer-sponsored plans and healthcare exchange plans, focusing on expanding access while maintaining fairness in insurance policies.
SUPPORT – Adding Acupuncture to the List of Essential Health Benefits – A622 (Kim)/S6083 (2023-24) (PARKER)
This bill mandates insurance coverage for acupuncture by adding it to New York’s Essential Health Benefits (EHB) under the state’s health benefit exchange. It also guarantees equitable access to treatment, preventing discriminatory restrictions on coverage.
New York State Health Insurance Plan (NYSHIP)
Recent changes to health insurance benefits under NYSHIP have led to some worrying consequences. These changes affect not only employees in the Executive branch and State Legislature, but also retirees. One significant issue is the new way out-of-network medical services are paid for. This has lowered the cost of insurance premiums, but it raises concerns about the quality and availability of healthcare, including acupuncture. The following two bills would undo these changes and make sure everyone has access to the healthcare they need.
SUPPORT – S4123 (Jackson)/A3885 (Weprin)
This bill would amend the Financial Services Law to ensure fair and equitable access to out-of- network care for participants in the New York State Health Insurance Program, aligning with the intentions of the New York State Surprise Bills Law.
SUPPORT – S4122 (Jackson)/A7055 (2023-24) (McDonald)
This bill would amend the Civil Service Law to ensure that the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) remains subject to the New York State Surprise Bills Law. It specifies that NYSHIP must cover at least one plan offering out-of-network reimbursements at usual and customary rates, and prevents automatic changes to health plan benefits for certain groups. The bill is designed to protect NYSHIP participants, particularly non-union, municipal employees, and retirees, from reductions in health insurance benefits.
Ensuring High Standards for Acupuncture
Acupuncture in New York requires extensive training, including 4,050 hours of education, 600 hours on acupuncture topics, and 650 hours of supervised clinical experience. Licensed Acupuncturists must master anatomy, infection control, and needling techniques to ensure patient safety. Lowering regulatory standards for microneedling risks public health and blurs medical and cosmetic distinctions. Proper education is essential to maintaining safe, high-quality acupuncture practices and preventing unsafe, inadequately trained procedures.
OPPOSE – A3033 (Rosenthal L) No Same as
This bill would amend the Education Law to allow individuals who have not attained Acupuncture credentials to engage in ear acupuncture.
OPPOSE – A3084 (Hyndman) No Same as
This bill allows estheticians and cosmetologists to perform microneedling with only a five-hour course, removing it from the stricter regulations of acupuncture and education law.
