Queens, NY (April 27, 2026) NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. announced his co-sponsorship of Senate Bill S.9523, to require health insurers in New York State to cover all medically necessary, FDA-approved diagnostic testing, treatments, and medications designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related disease.

Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 426,000 New Yorkers directly, while impacting many more family members, caregivers, and loved ones. With recent medical breakthroughs offering the first FDA-approved treatments shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, early diagnosis and timely access to care have become more important than ever.

“Families facing an Alzheimer’s diagnosis are already confronting one of life’s greatest challenges. They should not also have to battle their insurance company to access treatments that can preserve precious time, independence, and quality of life,” said Addabbo. “This legislation will help ensure that New Yorkers living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias can receive the care they need, when they need it most,” Addabbo concluded.

Current FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments have been shown to slow disease progression by 20 to 30 percent and reduce the decline in a patient’s ability to perform daily tasks by as much as 40 percent when administered in the early stages of the disease. While Medicare began covering these treatments in 2023, many private insurance plans are not currently required to do so, creating an unacceptable hurdle for many New Yorkers.

Specifically, the legislation (S.9523) would:

●       Require all state-regulated insurance policies to cover medically necessary FDA-approved diagnostic testing and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related disease

●       Ensure access to the testing needed for an accurate and timely diagnosis

●       Prohibit insurers from imposing step therapy requirements for these treatments

●       Extend these protections to Medicaid recipients

Addabbo added, “This is important to the residents of my district, where many families know firsthand the heartbreak of Alzheimer’s disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can make an enormous difference, not only for patients but for the families who walk this journey alongside them. This bill will save individuals and families invaluable time while offering hope, dignity, and the opportunity for a better quality of life.”

The bill is supported by the Alzheimer’s Association and its Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, leading advocates for expanded access to these groundbreaking therapies.

As new treatments continue to emerge, S.9523 will help ensure that New York remains at the forefront of supporting individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.