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Assembly requires insurers to cover outpatient creative arts therapy to expand access for nonverbal and trauma-affected patients
Summary
Lawmakers passed a bill obligating commercial insurers to reimburse licensed creative arts therapists for outpatient services, with sponsors arguing it fills a gap for nonverbal patients; insurers warned of potential fiscal implications but the sponsor and the attorney general's office were cited as contesting that claim.
The Assembly approved legislation requiring commercial insurance carriers to cover outpatient services provided by licensed creative arts therapists. The sponsor argued creative-art modalities (music, dance, visual arts) reach people who cannot access traditional talk-based psychotherapy — examples cited included stroke survivors, developmentally disabled children, and trauma victims.
During floor debate, the sponsor said psychotherapy is already covered and the bill expands the list of eligible providers rather than the types of covered services. Insurer groups previously raised concerns that the mandate would expand the state's essential health-benefit benchmark and shift costs to taxpayers; the sponsor said the attorney general's office disagrees with that analysis and that settlements have led companies to include such coverage in past enforcement actions.
Supporters emphasized benefits for veterans, children, and people with communication challenges; members spoke in favor with personal anecdotes of therapeutic benefits. The vote was Ayes 147, Noes 1; the bill passed.
