New York: Requires health insurance policies to offer full coverage for annual testing for ovarian cancer and requires certain health care providers offer annual testing for ovarian cancer

What's changing

New York has enacted legislation requiring that health insurance policies issued in the state cover annual ovarian cancer screening tests at no cost to the insured — meaning no copays, deductibles, or coinsurance. The law also requires certain health care providers to offer annual ovarian cancer testing to eligible patients. The coverage mandate applies to fully insured health plans regulated under New York insurance law and is aimed at improving early detection of ovarian cancer, which is frequently diagnosed at a late stage.

The specific screening modalities covered (such as transvaginal ultrasound or CA-125 blood tests) and the eligibility criteria for who qualifies for annual testing will be defined by the implementing regulations. Employers and plan sponsors should watch for regulatory guidance that clarifies those details.

Who it affects

This is a meaningful but somewhat narrow development. It directly affects fully insured group health plans subject to New York state insurance regulation — meaning the insurance carrier must build the benefit into compliant policies sold in New York. If your staffing firm or PEO offers a fully insured health plan to employees working in New York, your carrier should automatically update the plan to comply; you don't redesign the benefit yourself.

Self-insured (ERISA) plans are not affected — state insurance mandates generally don't apply to self-funded plans. If your organization self-funds its health coverage, this law does not require you to add this benefit, though you may choose to do so voluntarily.

For staffing firms, this is most relevant if you provide health benefits to W-2 employees placed in New York or to internal staff based there under a fully insured carrier.

What to do

• Confirm your plan type. Determine whether your New York employee health coverage is fully insured or self-funded. If fully insured, confirm with your carrier that the updated ovarian cancer screening benefit will be reflected in your next plan documents and Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC).
• Review plan documents at renewal. When your policy renews, check that the no-cost annual ovarian cancer screening benefit appears explicitly. Flag any gaps to your broker or carrier.
• Update employee communications if needed. If your benefits guide or onboarding materials describe covered preventive services, add this benefit once your carrier confirms coverage details and effective dates.
• Monitor regulations. Watch for New York Department of Financial Services guidance specifying eligible screening tests and patient criteria, then share relevant updates with your benefits administrator.

No handbook or pay-practice changes are required. The primary action item is coordinating with your insurance carrier or broker to confirm compliance at your next renewal.

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