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Bill

Bill

S 404

Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage for hospitalizations resulting from coronavirus disease 2019 without imposing cost-sharing requirements.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Brian Stack

New Jersey bill eliminates copays and deductibles for COVID-19 hospitalizations to ensure access to emergency care regardless of insurance cost-sharing requirements.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Commerce Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 404

Legislative bill overview

S 404 mandates that health insurance carriers in New Jersey cover hospitalizations for COVID-19 without cost-sharing (copays, coinsurance, or deductibles). This applies to all hospitalized COVID-19 patients regardless of their insurance plan type. The bill aims to remove financial barriers to emergency care during pandemic-related illness.

Why is this important

Hospitalization costs for severe COVID-19 can exceed $30,000-$50,000, creating significant financial burden on patients and potentially deterring people from seeking necessary care. Eliminating cost-sharing removes a barrier to timely treatment and can reduce overall healthcare system strain by ensuring patients don't delay admission due to out-of-pocket costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance carrier burden: Insurers may argue this mandates coverage without corresponding federal reimbursement mechanisms, effectively requiring them to absorb costs that could increase premiums for all policyholders
  • Scope questions: Unclear whether this covers only inpatient hospital stays or related services (emergency transport, post-acute care); also ambiguous if it applies to new variants if COVID-19 becomes endemic rather than pandemic
  • Precedent concerns: Creates potential expectation for zero cost-sharing on other serious infectious diseases, raising questions about which conditions warrant this approach and whether it sets unsustainable coverage mandates

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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