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S2034
2026 -- S 2034
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LC003363
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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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:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness Insurance
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Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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27-18-96. Buprenorphine.
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Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides
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prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state
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on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each
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form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be
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met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied
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to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C
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§ 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to
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January 1, 2027.
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SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service
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Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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27-19-88. Buprenorphine.
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Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides
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prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state
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on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each
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form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be
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met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied
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to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C
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§ 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to
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January 1, 2027.
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SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service
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Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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27-20-84. Buprenorphine.
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Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides
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prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state
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on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each
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form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be
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met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied
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to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C
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§ 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to
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January 1, 2027.
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SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance
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Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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27-41-101. Buprenorphine.
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Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides
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prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state
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on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each
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form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be
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met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied
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to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C
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§ 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to
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January 1, 2027.
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SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC003363
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES
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This act would require insurers to cover buprenorphine without a copayment or deductible.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003363
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LC003363 - Page 3 of 3