NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A2683A
SPONSOR: Bores TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to coverage for a cranial
prosthesis
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To provide for insurance coverage for those prescribed cranial prosthe-
sis (wigs) for a diagnosed health condition
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one: short title
Section two: provides for cranial protheses to be covered for those on
public health insurance plans with a diagnosed medical condition; speci-
fies the coverage amount
Section three: provides for cranial protheses to be covered for those on
private insurance plans with a diagnosed medical condition; specifies
the coverage amount
Section four: provides for cranial protheses to be covered by group
health plans for individuals with a diagnosed medical condition; speci-
fies the coverage amount
Section five: specifies the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill aims to ensure that individuals suffering from medical condi-
tions that cause hair loss have access to necessary wigs and hairpieces
as part of their healthcare coverage. Hair loss, especially when caused
by a medical condition like alopecia or lupus, can significantly affect
a person's mental and emotional well-being. Many individuals experienc-
ing hair loss face a heightened sense of self-consciousness, depression,
and social stigma, which can negatively impact their quality of life. By
mandating that both private health insurance cover the cost of wigs for
those diagnosed with conditions that cause hair loss, this bill provides
crucial support for patients by allowing them to maintain their dignity
and mental health during difficult times. New York would not be the
first state to mandate this kind of coverage, and would join nine (and
counting) other states in covering wigs and hairpieces for patients with
conditions that result in hair-loss
In addition, the cost of wigs and hairpieces can be prohibitively expen-
sive, often falling outside the scope of what most insurance plans
currently cover. For individuals already facing the physical, emotional,
and financial burdens of a serious health condition, the lack of wig
coverage further exacerbates their hardship. This bill would ease the
financial strain on patients, making wigs more accessible and reducing
the psychological effects that hair loss can impose. By recognizing wigs
as a necessary medical expense, this legislation helps to ensure that
all individuals, regardless of their financial situation, have equal
access to the resources that support their recovery and mental well-be-
ing.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
None.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to any policy
issued, delivered, renewed, and/or modified on or after such effective
date.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
2683--A
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 22, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BORES -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Insurance -- recommitted to the Committee on Insurance in accord-
ance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill
amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
tee
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to coverage for a cranial
prosthesis
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "wig insur-
2 ance guarantee (W.I.G) act".
3 § 2. Subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law is amended by
4 adding a new paragraph 42 to read as follows:
5 (42) (A) Every policy which provides coverage for prostheses shall
6 provide coverage for cranial prostheses for individuals experiencing
7 permanent or temporary medical hair loss provided:
8 (i) a licensed provider prescribes such cranial prosthesis for a
9 covered person's course of treatment for the diagnosed health condition,
10 chronic illness, or injury, including, but not limited to, alopecia
11 areata, alopecia medicamentosa, scarring alopecia, and lupus;
12 (ii) the policy provides coverage for a cranial prosthesis to a
13 covered person no more frequently than once every twelve months; and
14 (iii) the coverage is limited to seven hundred fifty dollars for each
15 instance of coverage, and shall be subject to any cost-sharing require-
16 ments that are otherwise applicable.
17 (B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "cranial prosthesis"
18 means a wig or hairpiece.
19 § 3. Subsection (l) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by
20 adding a new paragraph 24 to read as follows:
21 (24) (A) Every group or blanket policy delivered or issued for deliv-
22 ery in this state that provides coverage for protheses shall provide
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04171-02-6
A. 2683--A 2
1 coverage for cranial prostheses for individuals experiencing permanent
2 or temporary medical hair loss provided:
3 (i) a licensed provider prescribes the cranial prosthesis for an
4 enrollee's course of treatment for the diagnosed health condition,
5 chronic illness, or injury, including, but not limited to, alopecia
6 areata, alopecia medicamentosa, scarring alopecia, and lupus;
7 (ii) the policy provides coverage for a cranial prosthesis to an indi-
8 vidual enrollee no more frequently than once every twelve months; and
9 (iii) the coverage is limited to seven hundred fifty dollars for each
10 instance of coverage, and shall be subject to any cost-sharing require-
11 ments that are otherwise applicable.
12 (B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term "cranial prosthesis"
13 means a wig or hairpiece.
14 § 4. Section 4303 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new
15 subsection (yy) to read as follows:
16 (yy)(1) A hospital service corporation, health service corporation or
17 medical expense indemnity fund which provides coverage for prostheses
18 shall provide coverage for cranial prostheses for individuals experienc-
19 ing permanent or temporary medical hair loss provided:
20 (A) a licensed provider prescribes the cranial prosthesis for an
21 enrollee's or subscriber's course of treatment for the diagnosed health
22 condition, chronic illness, or injury, including, but not limited to,
23 alopecia areata, alopecia medicamentosa, scarring alopecia, and lupus;
24 (B) the contract provides coverage for a cranial prosthesis to an
25 individual enrollee or subscriber no more frequently than once every
26 twelve months; and
27 (C) the coverage is limited to seven hundred fifty dollars for each
28 instance of coverage, and shall be subject to any cost-sharing require-
29 ments that are otherwise applicable.
30 (2) For the purposes of this subsection, the term "cranial prosthesis"
31 means a wig or hairpiece.
32 § 5. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to any
33 policy issued, delivered, renewed, and/or modified on or after such
34 effective date.
