2025 -- S 0271 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC001161/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION

REVIEW ACT

     

     Introduced By: Senators Urso, DiMario, Lauria, Tikoian, Quezada, Rogers, Appollonio,
and Mack

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2025

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18.9 of the General Laws entitled "Benefit Determination and

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Utilization Review Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     27-18.9-16. Utilization review decisions for the treatment of alcohol or substance use

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disorder.

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     (a) For health benefit plans issued or renewed on or after the effective date of this section,

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an insurer shall not require or conduct a prospective or concurrent review for a prescription

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medicine:

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     (1) That is used in the treatment of alcohol or opioid use disorder and contains Methadone,

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Buprenorphine or Naltrexone; or

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     (2) That is used in the treatment of alcohol or opioid use disorder and was approved before

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the effective date of this section by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the

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mitigation of opioid withdrawal symptoms.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 40-8 of the General Laws entitled "Medical Assistance" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     40-8-33. Utilization reviews for Medicaid benefits.

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     In conducting utilization reviews for Medicaid benefits, each Medicaid managed care

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organization shall use the medical necessity criteria selected by the executive office of health and

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human services for making determinations of medical necessity and clinical appropriateness

 

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pursuant to the utilization review plan.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- BENEFIT DETERMINATION AND UTILIZATION

REVIEW ACT

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     This act would prohibit healthcare insurers from requiring or conducting a review for

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prescription medicine that is used in the treatment of alcohol or opioid use disorder, that contains

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Methadone, Burenorphine, or Naltrexone or that was approved for the mitigation of opioid

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withdrawal symptoms.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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