H8246

	2026 -- H 8246
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	LC005999
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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 Bennett, Edwards, Hull, Diaz, Santucci, Hopkins, Nardone, Casimiro, Ackerman, and Kennedy
	Date Introduced: March 06, 2026
	Referred To: House 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. Insurance coverage for lung cancer screening.
4	(a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that lung cancer remains the leading
5	cause of cancer deaths in Rhode Island and further that early detection of lung cancer will ensure
6	that patients get the critical care they need without delay. Accordingly, it is in the best interests of
7	the people of the state to promote widespread availability by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for
8	lung cancer screenings.
9	(b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides
10	coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after
11	January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung
12	cancer upon the recommendation of a health care provider acting within the provider's scope of
13	practice, and as recommended by current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer
14	screening. There shall be no copayment required, and no deductible shall need to be met for follow-
15	up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer. A deductible may be applied to health plans
16	that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 223.
17	Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January
18	1, 2027.
19	(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent medical management or utilization

1	review of the services, including preauthorization, to ensure that such services are consistent with
2	current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screening.
3	SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service
4	Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
5	27-19-88. Insurance coverage for lung cancer screening.
6	(a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that lung cancer remains the leading
7	cause of cancer deaths in Rhode Island and further that early detection of lung cancer will ensure
8	that patients get the critical care they need without delay. Accordingly, it is in the best interests of
9	the people of the state to promote widespread availability by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for
10	lung cancer screenings.
11	(b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides
12	coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after
13	January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for all follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung
14	cancer that are administered at a frequency identified in the current American Cancer Society
15	guidelines, including follow up examinations. Follow up examinations include, but are not limited
16	to, chest x-ray, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission
17	tomography, or biopsy. There shall be no copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing
18	required, and no deductible shall need to be met for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for
19	lung cancer. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified
20	health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health
21	plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
22	(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent medical management or utilization
23	review of the services, including preauthorization, to ensure that such services are consistent with
24	current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screening.
25	SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service
26	Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
27	27-20-84. Insurance coverage for lung cancer screening.
28	(a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that lung cancer remains the leading
29	cause of cancer deaths in Rhode Island and further that early detection of lung cancer will ensure
30	that patients get the critical care they need without delay. Accordingly, it is in the best interests of
31	the people of the state to promote widespread availability by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for
32	lung cancer screenings.
33	(b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides
34	coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after
	LC005999 - Page 2 of 5
1	January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for all follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung
2	cancer upon the recommendation of a health care provider acting within the provider's scope of
3	practice, and as recommended by current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer
4	screening. There shall be no copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing required, and no
5	deductible shall need to be met for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer. A
6	deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings
7	account pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from
8	implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
9	(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent medical management or utilization
10	review of the services, including preauthorization, to ensure that such services are consistent with
11	current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screening.
12	SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance
13	Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
14	27-41-101. Insurance coverage for lung cancer screening.
15	(a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that lung cancer remains the leading
16	cause of cancer deaths in Rhode Island and further that early detection of lung cancer will ensure
17	that patients get the critical care they need without delay. Accordingly, it is in the best interests of
18	the people of the state to promote widespread availability by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for
19	lung cancer screenings.
20	(b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides
21	coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after
22	January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for all follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung
23	cancer that are administered at a frequency identified in the current American Cancer Society
24	guidelines, including follow up examinations. Follow up examinations include, but are not limited
25	to, chest x-ray, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission
26	tomography, or biopsy. There shall be no copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing
27	required, and no deductible shall need to be met for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for
28	lung cancer. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified
29	health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health
30	plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.
31	(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent medical management or utilization
32	review of the services, including preauthorization, to ensure that such services are consistent with
33	current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screening.
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1	SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC005999
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES
	***
1	This act would mandate health insurance coverage by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for
2	lung cancer screenings in order to enable patients to get the critical care they need without delay.
3	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC005999
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