Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law on Wednesday requiring private insurers to cover the costs of crucial diagnostic assessments for dyslexia, making it the first piece of legislation that tackles this specific medical coverage issue to be passed in the United States.
As many students who struggle to read have fallen behind in school due to a possible lack of diagnoses and resources available, given education officials’ limited experience and knowledge regarding dyslexia, New York State has been trying to find ways to identify this learning disability in students and provide the assistance they may need.
Approximately 10 to 20 percent of New York City students are estimated to be dyslexic, a statistic that Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the state senator who sponsored the bill, referred to as “daunting.” He also said diagnostic tests can cost up to $10,000 and are a mandatory assessment before parents can request services from schools, which in some cases, leads to children going undiagnosed due to a lack of access.
The newly passed bill is designed to address these issues and increase early diagnoses of dyslexia and other learning disabilities, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or A.D.H.D.. Upon the referral of a physician, commercial health insurance policies are now required to cover neuropsychological exams for dyslexia.
“You need a network of resources to raise a family – it takes a village – and that’s exactly what we are building for new parents across New York State,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “With this package of laws, we are making meaningful strides toward making New York a more affordable place to raise your family. By addressing costs and expanding access to essential services, we’re ensuring that every parent has the tools they need to thrive.”
The new legislation also addresses resources relating to maternal healthcare, social services for children, and the manufacturing of diaper products, limiting costs and requiring transparency with ingredients.
