NJ Bill Would Force Health Insurers To Cover Treatments For Stuttering

NEW JERSEY — A proposed New Jersey law would require health insurers and the state Medicaid program to cover treatment for stuttering.

Earlier this week, S-3558 unanimously passed a bipartisan vote in the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill now moves to the Budget and Appropriations Committee for further review.

Here’s what the bill will do if it crosses the finish line, according to its sponsors, Sens. Teresa Ruiz and James Beach:

“S-3558 would require private and public health insurers and the state Medicaid program to cover medical expenses incurred in treating stuttering, including habilitative and rehabilitative speech therapy. The covered individual's medical doctor would determine whether treatment is necessary. Under the bill, coverage would be provided whether the services are delivered in-person or through telemedicine or telehealth, with the imposition of any prior authorization or other utilization management requirements, and without cost-sharing.”

“Speech disorders, such as stuttering, can have enormous impacts on the development of our children and their self-confidence in communicating with others,” Ruiz said.

“For too long, people in this state have been denied coverage for stutter-related speech therapies,” Beach agreed. “No matter their age or the cause of their impediment, every individual should have access to the same care without having to worry about the out-of-pocket cost.”

This week’s Senate vote got a cheer from Alixon Collazos-Gill – one of the prime sponsors of a companion bill in the New Jersey Assembly – who said it moves the state “one step closer to ensuring health insurance and Medicaid coverage for stuttering treatment.”

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