Bill
S 3820
Requires New York health insurance policies to cover anesthesia for the full duration of a medical procedure, reducing patient out-of-pocket costs.
Status snapshot
- Bill number: S 3820 (prints: S3820A, S3820B)
- Introduced: January 30, 2025
- Senate actions: Passed Senate (June 9, 2025); ordered to third reading June 9, 2025
- Current status: Delivered to Assembly and referred to the Assembly Insurance Committee (June 9, 2025)
- Sponsors: Gustavo Rivera (primary); cosponsors include Michelle Hinchey, Nathalia Fernandez, Toby Ann Stavisky, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Lea Webb, Jessica Ramos, Shelley Mayer, Roxanne J. Persaud, Michael Gianaris, Jabari Brisport
- Companion bill in Assembly: A.7562
- Prior-session related bill: S.9957
Purpose and intent
- The bill’s stated purpose (from its title and available metadata) is to require health insurance policies to provide coverage for anesthesia services for the full duration of a medical procedure. The intent appears to be to ensure patients do not face gaps in coverage for anesthesia tied to the timing of a procedure.
Key provisions (based on bill title and available summaries)
- Mandates that health insurance policies issued in the state include coverage for anesthesia services that are required during a medical procedure for the entire time the procedure is performed.
- Applies to policies subject to state insurance law (specific scope — e.g., individual, small group, large group, Medicaid/Medicare plans — is not specified in the provided materials).
- S3820 has been amended at least twice (printed as S3820A on 4/16/2025 and S3820B on 5/28/2025); final language may contain definitions, exclusions, or cost‑sharing rules not visible in the metadata.
Who would be affected
- Patients undergoing procedures requiring anesthesia: potentially reduced risk of uncovered anesthesia charges during a procedure.
- Insurers and health plans: required to adjust policy language and claims processing to reflect the mandated coverage.
- Health care providers (anesthesiologists, CRNAs, surgical centers): potential changes to billing practices and reimbursement expectations.
- Employers offering fully insured plans (if covered by the bill) and subscribers in the individual market.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Patient protection: could reduce unexpected out‑of‑pocket anesthesia costs and improve continuity of care.
- Cost implications: expanded mandated coverage may increase insurer payments for anesthesia services; depending on market dynamics this could affect premiums or plan design.
- Implementation questions: the bill’s final text will determine definitions (what counts as “duration of a medical procedure”), exceptions (e.g., dental, cosmetic, outpatient), cost‑sharing, and interaction with existing provider reimbursement rules.
- Regulatory implementation: state insurance regulators would oversee enforcement and plan filings if enacted.
Next steps in the legislative process
- The bill was delivered to the Assembly and referred to the Assembly Insurance Committee on June 9, 2025. The committee may hold hearings, amend, and vote before it can reach the Assembly floor. If passed by the Assembly, it would go to the Governor for signature.
Note
- This summary is based on the bill title, legislative actions and metadata provided. The full statutory language of S.3820 (as printed in S3820A/B) should be consulted for exact coverage definitions, exceptions, effective dates, and any specified cost‑sharing or regulatory provisions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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