AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES (Requires insurers to cover buprenorphine without a copayment or deductible.)

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:
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:
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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
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January 1, 2027.
12
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.

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
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Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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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.
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LC003363
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LC003363 - Page 2 of 3
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES
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1
This act would require insurers to cover buprenorphine without a copayment or deductible.
2
This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003363
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LC003363 - Page 3 of 3