INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- PHYSICAL THERAPY COPAY, the official text

H7429 2026 -- H 7429 ======== LC004688 ======== STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026 ____________ A N A C T RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- PHYSICAL THERAPY COPAY Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Edwards, McNamara, Casimiro, Kazarian, Hull, Cortvriend, Shanley, Read, and Slater Date Introduced: January 30, 2026 Referred To: House Health & Human Services It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: 1 SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled Accident and Sickness Insurance 2 Policies is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 3 27-18-96. Physical therapists. 4 (a) An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or 5 renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall not impose a copayment, coinsurance, or 6 office visit deductible amount charged to the insured for services rendered by a physical therapist 7 licensed under § 5-40-7 that is greater than the copayment, coinsurance or office visit deductible 8 amount charged to the insured for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath licensed 9 under chapter 37 of title 5. 10 (b) An insurer shall state clearly the availability of physical therapy coverage under its plan 11 and all related limitations, conditions, and exclusions. 12 SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled Nonprofit Hospital Service 13 Corporations is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 14 27-19-88. Physical therapists. 15 (a) An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or 16 renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall not impose a copayment, coinsurance, or 17 office visit deductible amount charged to the insured for services rendered by a physical therapist 18 licensed under § 5-40-7 that is greater than the copayment, coinsurance or office visit deductible 1 amount charged to the insured for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath licensed 2 under chapter 37 of title 5. 3 (b) An insurer shall state clearly the availability of physical therapy coverage under its plan 4 and all related limitations, conditions, and exclusions. 5 SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled Nonprofit Medical Service 6 Corporations is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 7 27-20-84. Physical therapists. 8 (a) An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or 9 renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall not impose a copayment, coinsurance, or 10 office visit deductible amount charged to the insured for services rendered by a physical therapist 11 licensed under § 5-40-7 that is greater than the copayment, coinsurance or office visit deductible 12 amount charged to the insured for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath licensed 13 under chapter 37 of title 5. 14 (b) An insurer shall state clearly the availability of physical therapy coverage under its plan 15 and all related limitations, conditions, and exclusions. 16 SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled Health Maintenance 17 Organizations is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 18 27-41-101. Physical therapists. 19 (a) An individual or group health insurance plan or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or 20 renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall not impose a copayment, coinsurance, or 21 office visit deductible amount charged to the insured for services rendered by a physical therapist 22 licensed under § 5-40-7 that is greater than the copayment, coinsurance or office visit deductible 23 amount charged to the insured for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath licensed 24 under chapter 37 of title 5. 25 (b) An insurer shall state clearly the availability of physical therapy coverage under its plan 26 and all related limitations, conditions, and exclusions. 27 SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC004688 ======== LC004688 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- PHYSICAL THERAPY COPAY *** 1 This act would limit copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical 2 therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath on or 3 after January 1, 2027. 4 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC004688 ======== LC004688 - Page 3 of 3