ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Dyslexia Diagnosis Access Act into law. Starting January 1, the legislation—S5481A/A2898A—requires commercial health insurers to cover neuropsychological tests that diagnose dyslexia in New York.

Conducted over two days, they test how well kids read and evaluate their learning needs. The Dyslexia Diagnosis Access Act targets the high costs that make such tests inaccessible for many families statewide.

“Parents like me with a dyslexic child generally have to shell out anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000 or more for neuropsychological exams used to accurately diagnose dyslexia,” said Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who sponsored the bill in the State Senate.

Before this law, most private insurers opted not to cover these tests, so families paid out-of-pocket. Nor do schools assess their students to the degree necessary to definitively diagnose dyslexia.

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