New York Health Policy Monitor (August 04, 2026)
New legislative proposals advance Medicaid coverage mandates for school-based behavioral health and establish standardized electronic prior authorization.
Prepared by Isaac Michaels, DrPH · August 04, 2026
Lawmakers have introduced a series of legislative proposals focused on expanding Medicaid coverage mandates and standardizing utilization review processes. The active bills currently sit in the Assembly Health Committee and propose structural alterations to coverage parameters and operational standards for health care plans.
Key measures include a proposed mandate for Medicaid to cover applied behavior analysis therapy when delivered during school hours, expanding access points for autism spectrum disorder treatment. Concurrently, new legislation would require the Department of Health and the Department of Financial Services to establish standardized electronic prior authorization protocols for all health care plans, aiming to codify utilization review pathways.
Additionally, legislators proposed a rare kidney disease screening pilot program that would operate in at least two geographic regions to target at-risk populations. If implemented, this program would direct the state to utilize community-based outreach and specific diagnostic screening tools to evaluate the scalability of broader permanent initiatives.
Priority Items
Affected Entities and Corresponding Policies
- ABA Providers: A11624
- Clinical Laboratories: A11655
- Community Health Centers: A11655
- Department of Health: A11655
- Health Care Plans: A11623
- Health Care Providers: A11623
- Medicaid Managed Care Organizations: A11624
- School Districts: A11624