2026 -- H 7939

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LC005898

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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: Representatives Donovan, Kislak, Furtado, Dawson, Boylan, Bennett,
Potter, Carson, Cotter, and Caldwell

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2026

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     (OHIC)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 27-18-95 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-18 entitled "Accident

and Sickness Insurance Policies" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     27-18-95. Acute mental health crisis mobile response and stabilization services.

[Effective January 1, 2026.]

     (a) As used in this section, “mobile response and stabilization services” means a behavioral

health crisis intervention system model providing immediate de-escalation, stabilization services,

and follow-up care, provided by a certified provider. These services are delivered to provide rapid

response to, assessment of, and early intervention for a child or youth eighteen (18) twenty-one

(21) years of age and younger experiencing an acute mental health crisis. Symptoms might include,

but are not limited to:

     (1) Aggression;

     (2) Self-injury;

     (3) Trauma;

     (4) Acute depression/anxiety;

     (5) Challenges at school; Suicidal or homicidal thoughts/behaviors; and

     (6) Extreme parent/child conflict.

     Mobile response and stabilization services are provided by “certified providers” meaning

licensed behavioral health organizations providing outpatient services, which have demonstrated

expertise in delivering child-specific mobile response and stabilization services, and have obtained

relevant state licensure or certification.

     (b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, or every individual or group

hospital or medical expense insurance policy, plan, or group policy delivered, issued for delivery,

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2026 2027, shall provide coverage for mobile response

and stabilization services, consistent with the core components of the mobile crisis and stabilization

model, and in accordance with the insurer’s existing reimbursement, credentialing, and contracting

processes, provided any utilization review processes do not limit timely access or fidelity to the

model.

     (c) This section shall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for:

     (1) Hospital confinement indemnity;

     (2) Disability income;

     (3) Accident only;

     (4) Long-term care;

     (5) Medicare supplement;

     (6) Limited benefit health;

     (7) Specified disease indemnity;

     (8) Sickness or bodily injury or death by accident or both; and

     (9) Other limited benefit policies.

     (d) Insurers shall reimburse certified providers for mobile response and stabilization

services as defined in this section at rates of reimbursement equal to or greater than the prevailing

integrated state Medicaid rate for mobile response and stabilization services on or after October 1,

2026 using the state Medicaid payment methodology as established by the executive office of

health and human services.

     SECTION 2. Section 27-19-87 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-19 entitled "Nonprofit

Hospital Service Corporations" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     27-19-87. Acute mental health crisis mobile response and stabilization services.

[Effective January 1, 2026.]

     (a) As used in this section, “mobile response and stabilization services” means a behavioral

health crisis intervention system model providing immediate de-escalation, stabilization services,

and follow-up care, provided by a certified provider. These services are delivered to provide rapid

response to, assessment of, and early intervention for a child or youth eighteen (18) twenty-one

(21) years of age and younger experiencing an acute mental health crisis. Symptoms might include,

but are not limited to:

     (1) Aggression;

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     (2) Self-injury;

     (3) Trauma;

     (4) Acute depression/anxiety;

     (5) Challenges at school; Suicidal or homicidal thoughts/behaviors; and

     (6) Extreme parent/child conflict.

     Mobile response and stabilization services are provided by “certified providers” meaning

licensed behavioral health organizations providing outpatient services, which have demonstrated

expertise in delivering child-specific mobile response and stabilization services, and have obtained

relevant state licensure or certification.

     (b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, or every individual or group

hospital or medical expense insurance policy, plan, or group policy delivered, issued for delivery,

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2026 2027, shall provide coverage for mobile response

and stabilization services, consistent with the core components of the mobile crisis and stabilization

model, and in accordance with the insurer’s existing reimbursement, credentialing, and contracting

processes, provided any utilization review processes do not limit timely access or fidelity to the

model.

     (c) This section shall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for:

     (1) Hospital confinement indemnity;

     (2) Disability income;

     (3) Accident only;

     (4) Long-term care;

     (5) Medicare supplement;

     (6) Limited benefit health;

     (7) Specified disease indemnity;

     (8) Sickness or bodily injury or death by accident or both; and

     (9) Other limited benefit policies.

     (d) Insurers shall reimburse certified providers for mobile response and stabilization

services as defined in this section at rates of reimbursement equal to or greater than the prevailing

integrated state Medicaid rate for mobile response and stabilization services on or after October 1,

2026 using the state Medicaid payment methodology as established by the executive office of

health and human services.

     SECTION 3. Section 27-20-83 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-20 entitled "Nonprofit

Medical Service Corporations" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     27-20-83. Acute mental health crisis mobile response and stabilization services.

LC005898 - Page 3 of 7

[Effective January 1, 2026.]

     (a) As used in this section, “mobile response and stabilization services” means a behavioral

health crisis intervention system model providing immediate de-escalation, stabilization services,

and follow-up care, provided by a certified provider. These services are delivered to provide rapid

response to, assessment of, and early intervention for a child or youth eighteen (18) twenty-one

(21) years of age and younger experiencing an acute mental health crisis. Symptoms might include,

but are not limited to:

     (1) Aggression;

     (2) Self-injury;

     (3) Trauma;

     (4) Acute depression/anxiety;

     (5) Challenges at school; Suicidal or homicidal thoughts/behaviors; and

     (6) Extreme parent/child conflict.

     Mobile response and stabilization services are provided by “certified providers” meaning

licensed behavioral health organizations providing outpatient services, which have demonstrated

expertise in delivering child-specific mobile response and stabilization services, and have obtained

relevant state licensure or certification.

     (b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, or every individual or group

hospital or medical expense insurance policy, plan, or group policy delivered, issued for delivery,

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2026 2027, shall provide coverage for mobile response

and stabilization services, consistent with the core components of the mobile crisis and stabilization

model, and in accordance with the insurer’s existing reimbursement, credentialing, and contracting

processes, provided any utilization review processes do not limit timely access or fidelity to the

model.

     (c) This section shall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for:

     (1) Hospital confinement indemnity;

     (2) Disability income;

     (3) Accident only;

     (4) Long-term care;

     (5) Medicare supplement;

     (6) Limited benefit health;

     (7) Specified disease indemnity;

     (8) Sickness or bodily injury or death by accident or both; and

     (9) Other limited benefit policies.

LC005898 - Page 4 of 7

     (d) Insurers shall reimburse certified providers for mobile response and stabilization

services as defined in this section at rates of reimbursement equal to or greater than the prevailing

integrated state Medicaid rate for mobile response and stabilization services on or after October 1,

2026 using the state Medicaid payment methodology as established by the executive office of

health and human services.

     SECTION 4. Section 27-41-100 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-41 entitled "Health

Maintenance Organizations" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     27-41-100. Acute mental health crisis mobile response and stabilization services.

[Effective January 1, 2026.]

     (a) As used in this section, “mobile response and stabilization services” means a behavioral

health crisis intervention system model providing immediate de-escalation, stabilization services,

and follow-up care, provided by a certified provider. These services are delivered to provide rapid

response to, assessment of, and early intervention for a child or youth eighteen (18) twenty-one

(21) years of age and younger experiencing an acute mental health crisis. Symptoms might include,

but are not limited to:

     (1) Aggression;

     (2) Self-injury;

     (3) Trauma;

     (4) Acute depression/anxiety;

     (5) Challenges at school; Suicidal or homicidal thoughts/behaviors; and

     (6) Extreme parent/child conflict.

     Mobile response and stabilization services are provided by “certified providers” meaning

licensed behavioral health organizations providing outpatient services, which have demonstrated

expertise in delivering child-specific mobile response and stabilization services, and have obtained

relevant state licensure or certification.

     (b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, or every individual or group

hospital or medical expense insurance policy, plan, or group policy delivered, issued for delivery,

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2026 2027, shall provide coverage for mobile response

and stabilization services, consistent with the core components of the mobile crisis and stabilization

model, and in accordance with the insurer’s existing reimbursement, credentialing, and contracting

processes, provided any utilization review processes do not limit timely access or fidelity to the

model.

     (c) This section shall not apply to insurance coverage providing benefits for:

     (1) Hospital confinement indemnity;

LC005898 - Page 5 of 7

     (2) Disability income;

     (3) Accident only;

     (4) Long-term care;

     (5) Medicare supplement;

     (6) Limited benefit health;

     (7) Specified disease indemnity;

     (8) Sickness or bodily injury or death by accident or both; and

     (9) Other limited benefit policies.

     (d) Insurers shall reimburse certified providers for mobile response and stabilization

services as defined in this section at rates of reimbursement equal to or greater than the prevailing

integrated state Medicaid rate for mobile response and stabilization services on or after October 1,

2026 using the state Medicaid payment methodology as established by the executive office of

health and human services.

     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

***

     This act would raise the age of eligibility for mobile response and stabilization services

from eighteen (18) to twenty-one (21) and establishes a minimum rate for commercial health

insurance reimbursement for such services.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2027.

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LC005898

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