2021 -- S 0877

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LC002805

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2021

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE

     

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Valverde, Sosnowski, Acosta, Lawson, Mendes,
Anderson, and Kallman

     Date Introduced: May 07, 2021

     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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     27-18-85. Health insurance contracts - copayments exemption for COVID-19

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vaccinations.

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     (a) Any individual or group health insurance plan or policy shall not impose any

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copayment, coinsurance or charge any out-of-pocket deductible to the insured for COVID-19

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related services, including, but not limited to, emergency services, inpatient services, provider

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office visits, and inpatient hospital stays, as long as the COVID-19 state of emergency remains in

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effect.

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     (b) Any individual or group health insurance plan or policy shall not impose any

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copayment, coinsurance or charge any out-of-pocket deductible to the insured for the

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administration of the COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 test.

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     (c) The health insurance commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations to enforce a

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carrier’s compliance with this section.

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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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     27-19-77. Health insurance contracts - copayments exemption for COVID-19

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vaccinations.

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     (a) Any individual or group health insurance plan or policy shall not impose any

 

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copayment, coinsurance or charge any out-of-pocket deductible to the insured for COVID-19

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related services, including, but not limited to, emergency services, inpatient services, provider

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office visits, and inpatient hospital stays, as long as the COVID-19 state of emergency remains in

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effect.

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     (b) Any individual or group health insurance plan or policy shall not impose any

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copayment, coinsurance or charge any out-of-pocket deductible to the insured for the

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administration of the COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 test.

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     (c) The health insurance commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations to enforce a

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carrier’s compliance with this section.

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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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     27-20-73. Health insurance contracts - copayments exemption for COVID-19

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vaccinations.

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     (a) Any individual or group health insurance plan or policy shall not impose any

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copayment, coinsurance or charge any out-of-pocket deductible to the insured for COVID-19

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related services, including, but not limited to, emergency services, inpatient services, provider

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office visits, and inpatient hospital stays, as long as the COVID-19 state of emergency remains in

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effect.

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     (b) Any individual or group health insurance plan or policy shall not impose any

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copayment, coinsurance or charge any out-of-pocket deductible to the insured for the

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administration of the COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 test.

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     (c) The health insurance commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations to enforce a

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carrier’s compliance with this section.

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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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     27-41-90. Health insurance contracts - copayments exemption for COVID-19

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vaccinations.

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     (a) Any individual or group health insurance plan or policy shall not impose any

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copayment, coinsurance or charge any out-of-pocket deductible to the insured for COVID-19

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related services, including, but not limited to, emergency services, inpatient services, provider

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office visits, and inpatient hospital stays, as long as the COVID-19 state of emergency remains in

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effect.

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     (b) Any individual or group health insurance plan or policy shall not impose any

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copayment, coinsurance or charge any out-of-pocket deductible to the insured for the

 

LC002805 - Page 2 of 4

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administration of the COVID-19 vaccine or a COVID-19 test.

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     (c) The health insurance commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations to enforce a

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carrier’s compliance with this section.

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     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC002805

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE

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     This act would prohibit insurance carriers from charging any out-of-pocket expenses to the

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insured for treatment related to the COVID-19 pandemic while the state of emergency order is in

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effect. This act would further mandate that all COVID-19 testing or vaccination is free during and

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upon the expiration of the state of emergency order.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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