The policy I am advocating for is ‘expanding health insurance coverage to occupational therapy services.’ The current policy proposes to limit copayments to no more than 20 percent of the reimbursement to the provider of care, regulate visit limitations, expand coverage of early intervention (EI) services, and expand utilization review of health insurance coverage for medically necessary care in occupational therapy services. The policy’s major intended and anticipated outcomes are to protect patients by prohibiting plans from shifting the cost of therapy.

Occupational therapists would benefit from this policy as they would be able to provide more services that their patients would benefit from. Individuals who need occupational therapy services would also benefit from this policy, as they wouldn’t be imposed by high copayments. The cost of copayments has imposed a financial burden on patients affected access to occupational therapy services and defeats the purpose of insurance coverage. New Yorkers are foregoing medically necessary care, running the risk of partial recovery, worsening the underlying condition, and risking re-injury.

The implementation of this policy would ensure patients have a full recovery and reduce the risk of re-injury or worsening an underlying condition. This policy also has a major impact on occupational therapy services because it’s broad and has the potential to help pediatric and adult populations. The implementation of this policy will also benefit infants, toddlers, and their families in EI.