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:
3	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
11	January 1, 2027.
12	SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service
13	Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
14	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
16	Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
17	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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	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