Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Rhode Island General Assembly, fetched 2026-07-29. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
S2034 2026 -- S 2034 ======== LC003363 ======== 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 Introduced By: Senators Rogers, de la Cruz, Paolino, Murray, and Raptakis Date Introduced: January 09, 2026 Referred To: Senate 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. Buprenorphine. 4 Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides 5 prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state 6 on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each 7 form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be 8 met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied 9 to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C 10 § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to 11 January 1, 2027. 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. Buprenorphine. 15 Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides 16 prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state 17 on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each 18 form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be 19 met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied 1 to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C 2 § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to 3 January 1, 2027. 4 SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled Nonprofit Medical Service 5 Corporations is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 6 27-20-84. Buprenorphine. 7 Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides 8 prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state 9 on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each 10 form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be 11 met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied 12 to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C 13 § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to 14 January 1, 2027. 15 SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled Health Maintenance 16 Organizations is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 17 27-41-101. Buprenorphine. 18 Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides 19 prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state 20 on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each 21 form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be 22 met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied 23 to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C 24 § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to 25 January 1, 2027. 26 SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage. ======== LC003363 ======== LC003363 - Page 2 of 3 EXPLANATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF A N A C T RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES *** 1 This act would require insurers to cover buprenorphine without a copayment or deductible. 2 This act would take effect upon passage. ======== LC003363 ======== LC003363 - Page 3 of 3
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