2012 -- H 7909 | |
======= | |
LC02084 | |
======= | |
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
| |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
| |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012 | |
| |
____________ | |
| |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- HEALTH INSURANCE - CONSUMER PROTECTION | |
|
      |
|
      |
     Introduced By: Representatives Kennedy, San Bento, E Coderre, Ferri, and Tanzi | |
     Date Introduced: March 07, 2012 | |
     Referred To: House Corporations | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1-1 |
     SECTION 1. Purpose and intent. |
1-2 |
     It is the purpose of this act to amend Rhode Island statutes so as to be consistent with |
1-3 |
health insurance consumer protections enacted in federal law. This act is intended to establish |
1-4 |
health insurance rules, standards, and policies pursuant to, in furtherance of, and in addition to the |
1-5 |
health insurance standards established in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, |
1-6 |
as amended by the Health care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. |
1-7 |
     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-18 of the General laws entitled "Accident and Sickness |
1-8 |
Insurance Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
1-9 |
     27-18-1-1. Definitions. – As used in this chapter: |
1-10 |
     (1) “Adverse benefit determination” means any of the following: a denial, reduction, or |
1-11 |
termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, |
1-12 |
including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is |
1-13 |
based on a determination of a participant's or beneficiary's eligibility to participate in a plan or to |
1-14 |
receive coverage under a plan, and including, with respect to group health plans, a denial, |
1-15 |
reduction, or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a |
1-16 |
benefit resulting from the application of any utilization review, as well as a failure to cover an |
1-17 |
item or service for which benefits are otherwise provided because it is determined to be |
1-18 |
experimental or investigational or not medically necessary or appropriate. The term also includes |
1-19 |
a rescission of coverage determination. |
2-20 |
     (2) ‘Affordable Care Act’ means the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, |
2-21 |
as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. |
2-22 |
     (3) “Commissioner” or “health insurance commissioner” means that individual appointed |
2-23 |
pursuant to section 42-14.5-1 of the general laws. |
2-24 |
     (4) “Grandfathered health plan” means any group health plan or health insurance |
2-25 |
coverage subject to 42 USC section 18011. |
2-26 |
     (5) “Group health insurance coverage” means, in connection with a group health plan, |
2-27 |
health insurance coverage offered in connection with such plan. |
2-28 |
     (6) “Group health plan” means an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in 29 USC |
2-29 |
section 1002(1), to the extent that the plan provides health benefits to employees or their |
2-30 |
dependents directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise. |
2-31 |
     (7) “Health benefits” or “covered benefits” means medical, surgical, hospital, |
2-32 |
prescription drug, and such other benefits, whether self-funded, or delivered through the purchase |
2-33 |
of insurance or otherwise. |
2-34 |
     (8) “Health care facility” means an institution providing health care services or a health |
2-35 |
care setting, including, but not limited to, hospitals and other licensed inpatient centers, |
2-36 |
ambulatory surgical or treatment centers, skilled nursing centers, residential treatment centers, |
2-37 |
diagnostic, laboratory and imaging centers, and rehabilitation and other therapeutic health |
2-38 |
settings. |
2-39 |
     (9) “Health care professional” means a physician or other health care practitioner |
2-40 |
licensed, accredited or certified to perform specified health care services consistent with state |
2-41 |
law. |
2-42 |
     (10) “Health care provider” or "provider" means a health care professional or a health |
2-43 |
care facility. |
2-44 |
     (11) “Health care services” means services for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, cure |
2-45 |
or relief of a health condition, illness, injury or disease. |
2-46 |
     (12) “Health insurance carrier” means a person, firm, corporation or other entity subject |
2-47 |
to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter. Such term does not include a group |
2-48 |
health plan. |
2-49 |
     (13) “Health plan” or “health benefit plan” means health insurance coverage and a group |
2-50 |
health plan, including coverage provided through an association plan if it covers Rhode Island |
2-51 |
residents. Except to the extent specifically provided by the Affordable Care Act, the term “health |
2-52 |
plan” shall not include a group health plan to the extent state regulation of the health plan is pre- |
2-53 |
empted under section 514 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The term |
2-54 |
also shall not include: |
3-1 |
     (A)(i) Coverage only for accident, or disability income insurance, or any combination |
3-2 |
thereof. |
3-3 |
     (ii) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance. |
3-4 |
     (iii) Liability insurance, including general liability insurance and automobile liability |
3-5 |
insurance. |
3-6 |
     (iv) Workers’ compensation or similar insurance. |
3-7 |
     (v) Automobile medical payment insurance. |
3-8 |
     (vi) Credit-only insurance. |
3-9 |
     (vii) Coverage for on-site medical clinics. |
3-10 |
     (viii) Other similar insurance coverage, specified in federal regulations issued pursuant to |
3-11 |
Pub. L. No. 104-191, the health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), |
3-12 |
under which benefits for medical care are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits. |
3-13 |
     (B) The following benefits if they are provided under a separate policy, certificate or |
3-14 |
contract of insurance or are otherwise not an integral part of the plan: |
3-15 |
     (i) Limited scope dental or vision benefits. |
3-16 |
     (ii) Benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care, community-based |
3-17 |
care, or any combination thereof. |
3-18 |
     (iii) Other excepted benefits specified in federal regulations issued pursuant to Pub. L. |
3-19 |
No. 104-191 (“HIPAA”). |
3-20 |
     (C) The following benefits if the benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate |
3-21 |
or contract of insurance, there is no coordination between the provision of the benefits and any |
3-22 |
exclusion of benefits under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor, and the |
3-23 |
benefits are paid with respect to an event without regard to whether benefits are provided with |
3-24 |
respect to such an event under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor: |
3-25 |
     (i) Coverage only for a specified disease or illness. |
3-26 |
     (ii) Hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance. |
3-27 |
     (D) The following if offered as a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance: |
3-28 |
     (i) Medicare supplement health insurance as defined under section 1882(g)(1) of the |
3-29 |
Social Security Act. |
3-30 |
     (ii) Coverage supplemental to the coverage provided under chapter 55 of title 10, United |
3-31 |
States Code (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS)). |
3-32 |
     (iii) Similar supplemental coverage provided to coverage under a group health plan. |
3-33 |
     (14) "Office of the health insurance commissioner" means the agency established under |
3-34 |
section 42-14.5-1 of the General laws. |
4-1 |
     (15) “Rescission" means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that has retroactive |
4-2 |
effect for reasons unrelated to timely payment of required premiums or contribution to costs of |
4-3 |
coverage. |
4-4 |
     27-18-2.1. Uniform explanation of benefits and coverage. – (a) A health insurance |
4-5 |
carrier shall provide a uniform summary of benefits and coverage explanation and standardized |
4-6 |
definitions to policyholders and others required by, and at the times required, by the federal |
4-7 |
regulations adopted under section 2715 of the Affordable Care Act. A summary required by this |
4-8 |
section shall be filed with the commissioner for approval under Rhode Island general laws section |
4-9 |
27-18-8 et seq. The requirements of this section shall be in addition to the requirements of Rhode |
4-10 |
Island general laws section 27-18-8 et seq. The commissioner may waive one or more of the |
4-11 |
requirements of the regulations adopted under section 2715 of the Affordable Care Act for good |
4-12 |
cause shown. The summary must contain at least the following information: |
4-13 |
     (1) Uniform definitions of standard insurance and medical terms. |
4-14 |
     (2) A description of coverage and cost sharing for each category of essential benefits and |
4-15 |
other benefits. |
4-16 |
     (3) Exceptions, reductions and limitations in coverage. |
4-17 |
     (4) Renewability and continuation of coverage provisions. |
4-18 |
     (5) A “coverage facts label” that illustrates coverage under common benefits scenarios. |
4-19 |
     (6) A statement of whether the policy, contract or plan provides the minimum coverage |
4-20 |
required of a qualified health plan. |
4-21 |
     (7) A statement that the outline is a summary and that the actual policy language should |
4-22 |
be consulted; and |
4-23 |
     (8) A contact number for the consumer to call with additional questions and the web |
4-24 |
address of where the actual language of the policy, contract or plan can be found. |
4-25 |
      (b) The provisions of this section shall apply to grandfathered health plans. |
4-26 |
     27-18-78. Prohibition on rescission of coverage. – (a)(1) Coverage under a health |
4-27 |
benefit plan subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter with respect to an |
4-28 |
individual, including a group to which the individual belongs or family coverage in which the |
4-29 |
individual is included, shall not be rescinded after the individual is covered under the plan, |
4-30 |
unless: |
4-31 |
     (A) The individual or a person seeking coverage on behalf of the individual, performs an |
4-32 |
act, practice or omission that constitutes fraud; or |
4-33 |
     (B) The individual makes an intentional misrepresentation of material fact, as prohibited |
4-34 |
by the terms of the plan or coverage. |
5-1 |
     (2) For purposes of paragraph (a)(1)(A), a person seeking coverage on behalf of an |
5-2 |
individual does not include an insurance producer or employee or authorized representative of the |
5-3 |
health carrier. |
5-4 |
     (b) At least thirty (30) days advance written notice shall be provided to each health |
5-5 |
benefit plan enrollee or, for individual health insurance coverage, primary subscriber, who would |
5-6 |
be affected by the proposed rescission of coverage before coverage under the plan may be |
5-7 |
rescinded in accordance with subsection (a) regardless of, in the case of group health insurance |
5-8 |
coverage, whether the rescission applies to the entire group or only to an individual within the |
5-9 |
group. |
5-10 |
     (c) For purposes of this section, “to rescind” means to cancel or to discontinue coverage |
5-11 |
with retroactive effect for reasons unrelated to timely payment of required premiums or |
5-12 |
contribution to costs of coverage. |
5-13 |
     (d) This section applies to grandfathered health plans. |
5-14 |
     27-18-79. Prohibition on annual and lifetime limits. – (a) Annual limits. |
5-15 |
     (1) For plan or policy years beginning prior to January 1, 2014, for any individual, a |
5-16 |
health insurance carrier and a health benefit plan subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner |
5-17 |
under this chapter may establish an annual limit on the dollar amount of benefits that are essential |
5-18 |
health benefits provided the restricted annual limit is not less than the following: |
5-19 |
     (A) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2010, but before September |
5-20 |
23, 2011 – seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000); |
5-21 |
     (B) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2011, but before September |
5-22 |
23, 2012 – one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($1,250,000); and |
5-23 |
     (C) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2012, but before January 1, |
5-24 |
2014 – two million dollars ($2,000,000). |
5-25 |
     (2) For plan or policy years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a health insurance |
5-26 |
carrier and a health benefit plan shall not establish any annual limit on the dollar amount of |
5-27 |
essential health benefits for any individual, except: |
5-28 |
     (A) A health flexible spending arrangement, as defined in Section 106(c)(2)(i) of the |
5-29 |
Internal Revenue Code, a medical savings account, as defined in section 220 of the Internal |
5-30 |
Revenue Code, and a health savings account, as defined in Section 223 of the Internal Revenue |
5-31 |
Code are not subject to the requirements of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection. |
5-32 |
     (B) The provisions of this subsection shall not prevent a health insurance carrier and a |
5-33 |
health benefit plan from placing annual dollar limits for any individual on specific covered |
5-34 |
benefits that are not essential health benefits to the extent that such limits are otherwise permitted |
6-1 |
under applicable federal law or the laws and regulations of this state. |
6-2 |
     (3) In determining whether an individual has received benefits that meet or exceed the |
6-3 |
allowable limits, as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, a health insurance carrier and a |
6-4 |
health benefit plan shall take into account only essential health benefits. |
6-5 |
     (b) Lifetime limits. |
6-6 |
     (1)A health insurance carrier and health benefit plan offering group or individual health |
6-7 |
insurance coverage shall not establish a lifetime limit on the dollar value of essential health |
6-8 |
benefits, as designated pursuant to a state determination and in accordance with federal laws and |
6-9 |
regulations, for any individual. |
6-10 |
     (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) above, a health insurance carrier and health benefit |
6-11 |
plan is not prohibited from placing lifetime dollar limits for any individual on specific covered |
6-12 |
benefits that are not essential health benefits, as designated pursuant to a state determination and |
6-13 |
in accordance with federal laws and regulations. |
6-14 |
     (c)(1) Reinstatement of Coverage. Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this |
6-15 |
subsection, this subsection applies to any individual: |
6-16 |
     (A) Whose coverage or benefits under a health plan ended by reason of reaching a |
6-17 |
lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits for the individual; and |
6-18 |
     (B) Who, due to the provisions of this section, becomes eligible, or is required to become |
6-19 |
eligible, for benefits not subject to a lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits under the |
6-20 |
health benefit plan: |
6-21 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, on the first day of the first plan year beginning |
6-22 |
on or after September 23, 2010; or |
6-23 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, on the first day of the first policy year |
6-24 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
6-25 |
     (2) For individual health insurance coverage, an individual is not entitled to reinstatement |
6-26 |
under the health benefit plan under this subsection if the individual reached his or her lifetime |
6-27 |
limit and the contract is not renewed or is otherwise no longer in effect. However, this subsection |
6-28 |
applies to a family member who reached his or her lifetime limit in a family plan and other family |
6-29 |
members remain covered under the plan. |
6-30 |
     (3)(A) If an individual described in subdivision (1) is eligible for benefits or is required to |
6-31 |
become eligible for benefits, the health insurance carrier and health benefit plan shall provide the |
6-32 |
individual written notice that: |
6-33 |
     (i) The lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits no longer applies; and |
7-34 |
     (ii) The individual, if still covered under the plan, is again eligible to receive benefits |
7-35 |
under the plan. |
7-36 |
     (B) If the individual is not enrolled in the plan, or if an enrolled individual is eligible for, |
7-37 |
but not enrolled in any benefit package under the plan, the health insurance carrier and health |
7-38 |
benefit plan shall provide an opportunity for the individual to enroll in the plan for a period of at |
7-39 |
least thirty (30) days. |
7-40 |
     (C) The notices and enrollment opportunity under this subdivision shall be provided |
7-41 |
beginning not later than: |
7-42 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, the first day of the first plan year beginning on |
7-43 |
or after September 23, 2010; |
7-44 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, the first day of the first policy year |
7-45 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010; or |
7-46 |
     (iii) The notices required under this subsection shall be provided: |
7-47 |
     (I) For group health insurance coverage, to an employee on behalf of the employee’s |
7-48 |
dependent; or |
7-49 |
     (II) For individual health insurance coverage, to the primary subscriber on behalf of the |
7-50 |
primary subscriber’s dependent. |
7-51 |
     (D) For group health insurance coverage, the notices may be included with other |
7-52 |
enrollment materials that a health plan distributes to employees, provided the statement is |
7-53 |
prominent. For group health insurance coverage, if a notice satisfying the requirements of this |
7-54 |
subsection is provided to an individual, a health insurance carrier’s requirement to provide the |
7-55 |
notice with respect to that individual is satisfied. |
7-56 |
     (E) For any individual who enrolls in a health plan in accordance with subdivision (2) of |
7-57 |
this subsection, coverage under the plan shall take effect not later than: |
7-58 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, the first day of the first plan year beginning on |
7-59 |
or after September 23, 2010; or |
7-60 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, the first day of the first policy year |
7-61 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
7-62 |
     (d)(1) An individual enrolling in a health plan for group health insurance coverage in |
7-63 |
accordance with subsection (c) above shall be treated as if the individual were a special enrollee |
7-64 |
as provided under regulations interpreting the HIPAA portability provisions issued pursuant to |
7-65 |
Section 2714 of the Affordable Care Act. |
7-66 |
     (2) An individual enrolling in accordance with subsection (c) above: |
7-67 |
     (A) Shall be offered all of the benefit packages available to similarly situated individuals |
7-68 |
who did not lose coverage under the plan by reason of reaching a lifetime limit on the dollar value |
8-1 |
of all benefits; and |
8-2 |
     (B) Shall not be required to pay more for coverage than similarly situated individuals |
8-3 |
who did not lose coverage by reason of reaching a lifetime limit on the dollar value of all |
8-4 |
benefits. |
8-5 |
     (3) For purposes of subsection (B)(1), any difference in benefits or cost-sharing |
8-6 |
constitutes a different benefit package. |
8-7 |
     (e)(1) The provisions of this section relating to lifetime limits apply to any health |
8-8 |
insurance carrier providing coverage under an individual or group health plan, including |
8-9 |
grandfathered health plans. |
8-10 |
     (2) The provisions of this section relating to annual limits apply to any health insurance |
8-11 |
carrier providing coverage under a group health plan, including grandfathered health plans, but |
8-12 |
the prohibition and limits on annual limits do not apply to grandfathered health plans providing |
8-13 |
individual health insurance coverage. |
8-14 |
     27-18-80. Coverage for preventive items and services. – (a) Every health insurance |
8-15 |
carrier providing coverage under an individual or group health plan shall provide coverage for all |
8-16 |
of the following items and services, and shall not impose any cost-sharing requirements, such as a |
8-17 |
copayment, coinsurance or deductible, with respect to the following items and services: |
8-18 |
     (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, and except as may |
8-19 |
otherwise be provided in federal regulations implementing the Affordable Care Act, evidence- |
8-20 |
based items or services that have in effect a rating of A or B in the recommendations of the |
8-21 |
United States Preventive Services Task Force as of September 23, 2010 and as may subsequently |
8-22 |
be amended. |
8-23 |
     (2) Immunizations for routine use in children, adolescents and adults that have in effect a |
8-24 |
recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for |
8-25 |
Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved. For purposes of this |
8-26 |
subdivision, a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the |
8-27 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considered in effect after it has been adopted by the |
8-28 |
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a recommendation is considered |
8-29 |
to be for routine use if it is listed on the Immunization Schedules of the Centers for Disease |
8-30 |
Control and Prevention. |
8-31 |
     (3) With respect to infants, children and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care, |
8-32 |
and screenings provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and |
8-33 |
Services Administration. |
9-34 |
     (4) With respect to women, to the extent not described in subdivision (1) of this |
9-35 |
subsection, evidence-informed preventive care and screenings provided for in comprehensive |
9-36 |
coverage guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration. |
9-37 |
     (b)(1) A health insurance carrier is not required to provide coverage for any items or |
9-38 |
services specified in any recommendation or guideline described in subsection (a) of this section |
9-39 |
after the recommendation or guideline is no longer described in subsection (a) of this section. The |
9-40 |
provisions of this subdivision shall not affect the obligation of the health insurance carrier to |
9-41 |
provide notice to a covered person before any material modification of coverage becomes |
9-42 |
effective, in accordance with other requirements of state and federal law, including section |
9-43 |
2715(d)(4) of the Public Health Services Act. |
9-44 |
     (2) A health insurance carrier shall at least annually at the beginning of each new plan |
9-45 |
year or policy year, whichever is applicable, revise the preventive services covered under its |
9-46 |
health benefit plans pursuant to this section consistent with the recommendations of the United |
9-47 |
States Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the |
9-48 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the guidelines with respect to infants, children, |
9-49 |
adolescents and women evidence-based preventive care and screenings by the Health Resources |
9-50 |
and Services Administration in effect at the time. |
9-51 |
     (c)(1) A health insurance carrier may impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to an |
9-52 |
office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is billed separately or is |
9-53 |
tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit. |
9-54 |
     (2) A health insurance carrier shall not impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to |
9-55 |
an office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is not billed |
9-56 |
separately or is not tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit and the |
9-57 |
primary purpose of the office visit is the delivery of the item or service described in subsection |
9-58 |
(a) of this section. |
9-59 |
     (3) A health insurance carrier may impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to an |
9-60 |
office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is not billed separately |
9-61 |
or is not tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit and the primary |
9-62 |
purpose of the office visit is not the delivery of the item or service. |
9-63 |
     (d)(1) Nothing in this section requires a health insurance carrier that has a network of |
9-64 |
providers to providing coverage for items and services described in subsection (a) of this section |
9-65 |
that are delivered by an out-of-network provider. |
9-66 |
     (2) Nothing in subsection (a) of this section precludes a health insurance carrier that has a |
9-67 |
network of providers from imposing cost-sharing requirements for items or services described in |
9-68 |
subsection (a) of this section that are delivered by an out-of-network provider. |
10-1 |
     (e) Nothing prevents a health insurance carrier from using reasonable medical |
10-2 |
management techniques to determine the frequency, method, treatment or setting for an item or |
10-3 |
service described in subsection (a) of this section to the extent not specified in the |
10-4 |
recommendation or guideline. |
10-5 |
     (f) Nothing in this section prohibits a health insurance carrier from providing coverage |
10-6 |
for items and services in addition to those recommended by the United States Preventive Services |
10-7 |
Task Force or the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease |
10-8 |
Control and Prevention, or provided by guidelines supported by the Health Resources and |
10-9 |
Services Administration, or from denying coverage for items and services that are not |
10-10 |
recommended by that task force or that advisory committee, or under those guidelines. A health |
10-11 |
insurance carrier may impose cost-sharing requirements for a treatment not described in |
10-12 |
subsection (a) of this section even if the treatment results from an item or service described in |
10-13 |
subsection (a) of this section. |
10-14 |
     (g) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
10-15 |
     27-18-81. Coverage for individuals participating in approved clinical trials. – (a) As |
10-16 |
used in this section, |
10-17 |
     (1) “Approved clinical trial” means a phase I, phase II, phase III or phase IV clinical trial |
10-18 |
that is conducted in relation to the prevention, detection or treatment of cancer or a life- |
10-19 |
threatening disease or condition and is described in any of the following: |
10-20 |
     (A) The study or investigation is approved or funded, which may include funding through |
10-21 |
in-kind contributions, by one or more of the following: |
10-22 |
     (i) The National Institutes of Health; |
10-23 |
     (ii) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; |
10-24 |
     (iii) The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality; |
10-25 |
     (iv) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; |
10-26 |
     (v) A cooperative group or center of any of the entities described in items (i) through (iv) |
10-27 |
or the Department of Defense or the Department of Veteran Affairs; |
10-28 |
     (vi) A qualified non-governmental research entity identified in the guidelines issued by |
10-29 |
the National Institutes of Health for center support grants; or |
10-30 |
     (vii) A study or investigation conducted by the Department of Veteran Affairs, the |
10-31 |
Department of Defense, or the Department of Energy, if the study or investigation has been |
10-32 |
reviewed and approved through a system of peer review that the Secretary of U.S. Department of |
10-33 |
Health and Human Services determines: |
11-34 |
     (I) Is comparable to the system of peer review of studies and investigations used by the |
11-35 |
National Institutes of Health; and |
11-36 |
     (II) Assures unbiased review of the highest scientific standards by qualified individuals |
11-37 |
who have no interest in the outcome of the review. |
11-38 |
     (B) The study or investigation is conducted under an investigational new drug application |
11-39 |
reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration; or |
11-40 |
     (C) The study or investigation is a drug trial that is exempt from having such an |
11-41 |
investigational new drug application. |
11-42 |
     (2) “Participant” has the meaning stated in section 3(7) of ERISA. |
11-43 |
     (3) “Participating provider” means a health care provider that, under a contract with the |
11-44 |
health carrier or with its contractor or subcontractor, has agreed to provide health care services to |
11-45 |
covered persons with an expectation of receiving payment, other than coinsurance, copayments or |
11-46 |
deductibles, directly or indirectly from the health carrier. |
11-47 |
     (4) “Qualified individual” means a participant or beneficiary who meets the following |
11-48 |
conditions: |
11-49 |
     (A) The individual is eligible to participate in an approved clinical trial according to the |
11-50 |
trial protocol with respect to the treatment of cancer or other life-threatening disease or condition; |
11-51 |
and |
11-52 |
     (B)(i) The referring health care professional is a participating provider and has concluded |
11-53 |
that the individual’s participation in such trial would be appropriate based on the individual |
11-54 |
meeting the conditions described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3); or |
11-55 |
     (ii) The participant or beneficiary provides medical and scientific information |
11-56 |
establishing the individual’s participation in such trial would be appropriate based on the |
11-57 |
individual meeting the conditions described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3). |
11-58 |
     (5) “Life-threatening condition” means any disease or condition from which the |
11-59 |
likelihood of death is probable unless the course of the disease or condition is interrupted. |
11-60 |
     (b)(1) If a health insurance carrier offering group or individual health insurance coverage |
11-61 |
provides coverage to a qualified individual, the health insurance carrier: |
11-62 |
     (A) Shall not deny the individual participation in an approved clinical trial. |
11-63 |
      (B) Subject to subdivision (3) of this subsection, shall not deny or limit or impose |
11-64 |
additional conditions on the coverage of routine patient costs for items and services furnished in |
11-65 |
connection with participation in the approved clinical trial; and |
11-66 |
     (C) Shall not discriminate against the individual on the basis of the individual’s |
11-67 |
participation in the approved clinical trial. |
12-68 |
     (2)(A) Subject to subdivision (B) of this subdivision (2), routine patient costs include all |
12-69 |
items and services consistent with the coverage typically covered for a qualified individual who is |
12-70 |
not enrolled in an approved clinical trial. |
12-71 |
     (B) For purposes of subdivision (B) of this subdivision (2), routine patient costs do not |
12-72 |
include: |
12-73 |
     (i) The investigational item, device or service itself; |
12-74 |
     (ii) Items and services that are provided solely to satisfy data collection and analysis |
12-75 |
needs and that are not used in the direct clinical management of the patient; or |
12-76 |
     (iii) A service that is clearly inconsistent with widely accepted and established standards |
12-77 |
of care for a particular diagnosis. |
12-78 |
     (3) If one or more participating providers are participating in a clinical trial, nothing in |
12-79 |
subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be construed as preventing a health carrier from requiring |
12-80 |
that a qualified individual participate in the trial through such a participating provider if the |
12-81 |
provider will accept the individual as a participant in the trial. |
12-82 |
     (4) Notwithstanding subdivision (3) of this subsection, subdivision (1) of this subsection |
12-83 |
shall apply to a qualified individual participating in an approved clinical trial that is conducted |
12-84 |
outside this state. |
12-85 |
     (5) This section shall not be construed to require a health insurance carrier offering group |
12-86 |
or individual health insurance coverage to provide benefits for routine patient care services |
12-87 |
provided outside of the coverage’s health care provider network unless out-of-network benefits |
12-88 |
are otherwise provided under the coverage. |
12-89 |
     (6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a health insurance carrier’s |
12-90 |
coverage with respect to clinical trials. |
12-91 |
     (c) The requirements of this section shall be in addition to the requirements of Rhode |
12-92 |
Island general laws sections 27-18-36 through 27-18-36.3. |
12-93 |
     (d) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
12-94 |
     (e) This section shall be effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. |
12-95 |
     27-18-82. Medical loss ratio rebates. – (a) A health insurance carrier offering group or |
12-96 |
individual health insurance coverage, including a grandfathered health plan, shall pay medical |
12-97 |
loss ratio rebates as provided for in Section 2718(b)(1)(A) of the Affordable Care Act, in the |
12-98 |
manner and as required by federal laws and regulations. |
12-99 |
     (b) Health insurance carriers required to report medical loss ratio and rebate calculations |
12-100 |
and other medical loss ratio and rebate information to the U.S. Department of Health and Human |
12-101 |
Services shall concurrently file such information with the commissioner. |
13-102 |
     27-18-83. Emergency services. – (a) As used in this section: |
13-103 |
     (1) “Emergency medical condition” means a medical condition manifesting itself by |
13-104 |
acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) so that a prudent layperson, who |
13-105 |
possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of |
13-106 |
immediate medical attention to result in a condition: (i) Placing the health of the individual, or |
13-107 |
with respect to a pregnant woman her unborn child, in serious jeopardy; (ii) Constituting a serious |
13-108 |
impairment to bodily functions; or (iii) Constituting a serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or |
13-109 |
part |
13-110 |
     (2) “Emergency services” means, with respect to an emergency medical condition: |
13-111 |
     (A) A medical screening examination (as required under section 1867 of the Social |
13-112 |
Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395dd) that is within the capability of the emergency department of a |
13-113 |
hospital, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department to evaluate |
13-114 |
such emergency medical condition, and |
13-115 |
     (B) Such further medical examination and treatment, to the extent they are within the |
13-116 |
capabilities of the staff and facilities available at the hospital, as are required under section 1867 |
13-117 |
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395dd) to stabilize the patient. |
13-118 |
     (3) “Stabilize”, with respect to an emergency medical condition has the meaning given in |
13-119 |
section 1867(e)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395dd(e)(3)). |
13-120 |
     (b) If a health insurance carrier offering health insurance coverage provides any benefits |
13-121 |
with respect to services in an emergency department of a hospital, the carrier must cover |
13-122 |
emergency services in compliance with this section. |
13-123 |
     (c) A health insurance carrier shall provide coverage for emergency services in the |
13-124 |
following manner: |
13-125 |
     (1) Without the need for any prior authorization determination, even if the emergency |
13-126 |
services are provided on an out-of-network basis; |
13-127 |
     (2) Without regard to whether the health care provider furnishing the emergency services |
13-128 |
is a participating network provider with respect to the services; |
13-129 |
     (3) If the emergency services are provided out of network, without imposing any |
13-130 |
administrative requirement or limitation on coverage that is more restrictive than the requirements |
13-131 |
or limitations that apply to emergency services received from in-network providers; |
13-132 |
     (4) If the emergency services are provided out of network, by complying with the cost- |
13-133 |
sharing requirements of subsection (d) of this section; and |
13-134 |
     (5) Without regard to any other term or condition of the coverage, other than: |
13-135 |
     (A) The exclusion of or coordination of benefits; |
14-136 |
     (B) An affiliation or waiting period permitted under part 7 of ERISA, part A of title |
14-137 |
XXVII of the PHS Act, or chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code; or |
14-138 |
     (C) Applicable cost-sharing. |
14-139 |
     (d)(1) Any cost-sharing requirement expressed as a copayment amount or coinsurance |
14-140 |
rate imposed with respect to a participant or beneficiary for out-of-network emergency services |
14-141 |
cannot exceed the cost-sharing requirement imposed with respect to a participant or beneficiary if |
14-142 |
the services were provided in-network; provided, however, that a participant or beneficiary may |
14-143 |
be required to pay, in addition to the in-network cost-sharing, the excess of the amount the out-of- |
14-144 |
network provider charges over the amount the health insurance carrier is required to pay under |
14-145 |
subdivision (1) of this subsection. A health insurance carrier complies with the requirements of |
14-146 |
this subsection if it provides benefits with respect to an emergency service in an amount equal to |
14-147 |
the greatest of the three amounts specified in subdivisions (A), (B), and (C) of this subdivision |
14-148 |
(1)(which are adjusted for in-network cost-sharing requirements). |
14-149 |
     (A) The amount negotiated with in-network providers for the emergency service |
14-150 |
furnished, excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the |
14-151 |
participant or beneficiary. If there is more than one amount negotiated with in-network providers |
14-152 |
for the emergency service, the amount described under this subdivision (A) is the median of these |
14-153 |
amounts, excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the |
14-154 |
participant or beneficiary. In determining the median described in the preceding sentence, the |
14-155 |
amount negotiated with each in-network provider is treated as a separate amount (even if the |
14-156 |
same amount is paid to more than one provider). If there is no per-service amount negotiated with |
14-157 |
in-network providers (such as under a capitation or other similar payment arrangement), the |
14-158 |
amount under this subdivision (A) is disregarded. |
14-159 |
     (B) The amount for the emergency service shall be calculated using the same method the |
14-160 |
plan generally uses to determine payments for out-of-network services (such as the usual, |
14-161 |
customary, and reasonable amount), excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance |
14-162 |
imposed with respect to the participant or beneficiary. The amount in this subdivision (B) is |
14-163 |
determined without reduction for out-of-network cost-sharing that generally applies under the |
14-164 |
plan or health insurance coverage with respect to out-of-network services. |
14-165 |
     (C) The amount that would be paid under Medicare (part A or part B of title XVIII of the |
14-166 |
Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for the emergency service, excluding any in-network |
14-167 |
copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the participant or beneficiary. |
14-168 |
     (2) Any cost-sharing requirement other than a copayment or coinsurance requirement |
14-169 |
(such as a deductible or out-of-pocket maximum) may be imposed with respect to emergency |
14-170 |
services provided out of network if the cost-sharing requirement generally applies to out-of- |
15-1 |
network benefits. A deductible may be imposed with respect to out-of-network emergency |
15-2 |
services only as part of a deductible that generally applies to out-of-network benefits. If an out-of- |
15-3 |
pocket maximum generally applies to out-of-network benefits, that out-of-pocket maximum must |
15-4 |
apply to out-of-network emergency services. |
15-5 |
     (e) The provisions of this section apply for plan years beginning on or after September |
15-6 |
23, 2010. |
15-7 |
     (f) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
15-8 |
     27-18-84. Internal and external appeal of adverse benefit determinations. – (a) The |
15-9 |
commissioner shall adopt regulations to implement standards and procedures with respect to |
15-10 |
internal claims and appeals of adverse benefit determinations, and with respect to external appeals |
15-11 |
of adverse benefit determinations. |
15-12 |
     (b) The regulations adopted by the commissioner shall apply to those adverse benefit |
15-13 |
determinations within the jurisdiction of the commissioner. |
15-14 |
     SECTION 3. Sections 27-18-8, 27-18-44 and 27-18-59 of the General laws in Chapter |
15-15 |
27-18 entitled "Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies" are hereby amended to read as follows: |
15-16 |
     27-18-8. Filing of accident and sickness insurance policy forms. -- Any insurance |
15-17 |
company authorized to do an accident and sickness business within this state in accordance with |
15-18 |
the provisions of this title shall file all accident and sickness insurance policy forms and rates |
15-19 |
used by it in the state with the insurance commissioner, including the forms of any rider, |
15-20 |
endorsement, application blank, and other matter generally used or incorporated by reference in |
15-21 |
its policies or contracts of insurance. No such rate shall be used unless first approved by the |
15-22 |
commissioner. No such form shall be used if disapproved by the commissioner under this section, |
15-23 |
or if the commissioner’s approval has been withdrawn under section 27-18-8.3, or until the |
15-24 |
expiration of the waiting period established under section 27-18-8.3. Such a company shall |
15-25 |
comply with its filed and approved rates and forms. If the commissioner finds from an |
15-26 |
examination of any form that it is contrary to the public interest, or the requirements of this code |
15-27 |
or duly promulgated regulations, he or she shall forbid its use, and shall notify the company in |
15-28 |
writing as provided in section 27-18-8.2. Each form shall include a certification by a qualified |
15-29 |
actuary that to the best of the actuary's knowledge and judgment, the entire rate is in compliance |
15-30 |
with applicable laws and that the benefits are reasonable in relation to the premium to be charged. |
15-31 |
     27-18-44. Primary and preventive obstetric and gynecological care. – (a) Any insurer |
15-32 |
or health plan, nonprofit health medical service plan, or nonprofit hospital service plan that |
15-33 |
provides coverage for obstetric and gynecological care for issuance or delivery in the state to any |
15-34 |
group or individual on an expense-incurred basis, including a health plan offered or issued by a |
16-1 |
health insurance carrier or a health maintenance organization, shall permit a woman to receive an |
16-2 |
annual visit to an in-network obstetrician/gynecologist for routine gynecological care without |
16-3 |
requiring the woman to first obtain a referral from a primary care provider. |
16-4 |
     (b)(1)(A) Any health plan, nonprofit medical service plan or nonprofit hospital service |
16-5 |
plan, including a health insurance carrier or a health maintenance organization which requires or |
16-6 |
provides for the designation by a covered person of a participating primary health care |
16-7 |
professional shall permit each covered person to: |
16-8 |
     (i) Designate any participating primary care health care professional who is available to |
16-9 |
accept the covered person; and |
16-10 |
     (ii) For a child, designate any participating physician who specializes in pediatrics as the |
16-11 |
child’s primary care health care professional and is available to accept the child. |
16-12 |
     (2) The provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not be construed to waive |
16-13 |
any exclusions of coverage under the terms and conditions of the health benefit plan with respect |
16-14 |
to coverage of pediatric care. |
16-15 |
     (c)(1) If a health plan, nonprofit medical service plan or nonprofit hospital service plan, |
16-16 |
including a health insurance carrier or a health maintenance organization, provides coverage for |
16-17 |
obstetrical or gynecological care and requires the designation by a covered person of a |
16-18 |
participating primary care health care professional, then it: |
16-19 |
     (A) Shall not require any person’s, including a primary care health care professional’s, |
16-20 |
prior authorization or referral in the case of a female covered person who seeks coverage for |
16-21 |
obstetrical or gynecological care provided by a participating health care professional who |
16-22 |
specializes in obstetrics or gynecology; and |
16-23 |
     (B) Shall treat the provision of obstetrical and gynecological care, and the ordering of |
16-24 |
related obstetrical and gynecological items and services, pursuant to subdivision (A) of this |
16-25 |
subdivision (c)(1), by a participating health care professional who specializes in obstetrics or |
16-26 |
gynecology as the authorization of the primary care health care professional. |
16-27 |
     (2)(A) A health plan, nonprofit medical service plan or nonprofit hospital service plan, |
16-28 |
including a health insurance carrier or a health maintenance organization may require the health |
16-29 |
care professional to agree to otherwise adhere to its policies and procedures, including procedures |
16-30 |
relating to referrals, obtaining prior authorization, and providing services in accordance with a |
16-31 |
treatment plan, if any, approved by the plan, carrier or health maintenance organization. |
16-32 |
     (B)For purposes of subdivision (A) of this subdivision (c)(1), a health care professional, |
16-33 |
who specializes in obstetrics or gynecology, means any individual, including an individual other |
16-34 |
than a physician, who is authorized under state law to provide obstetrical or gynecological care. |
17-1 |
     (3) The provisions of subdivision (A) of this subdivision (c)(1) shall not be construed to: |
17-2 |
     (A) Waive any exclusions of coverage under the terms and conditions of the health |
17-3 |
benefit plan with respect to coverage of obstetrical or gynecological care; or |
17-4 |
     (B) Preclude the health plan, nonprofit medical service plan or nonprofit hospital service |
17-5 |
plan, including a health insurance carrier or a health maintenance organization involved from |
17-6 |
requiring that the participating health care professional providing obstetrical or gynecological |
17-7 |
care notify the primary care health care professional or the plan, carrier or health maintenance |
17-8 |
organization of treatment decisions. |
17-9 |
     (d) Notice Requirements: |
17-10 |
     (1) A health plan, nonprofit medical service plan or nonprofit hospital service plan, |
17-11 |
including a health insurance carrier or a health maintenance organization subject to this section |
17-12 |
shall provide notice to covered persons of the terms and conditions of the plan related to the |
17-13 |
designation of a participating health care professional and of a covered person’s rights with |
17-14 |
respect to those provisions. |
17-15 |
     (2)(A) In the case of group health insurance coverage, the notice described in subdivision |
17-16 |
(1) of this subsection shall be included whenever the a participant is provided with a summary |
17-17 |
plan description or other similar description of benefits under the health benefit plan. |
17-18 |
     (B) In the case of individual health insurance coverage, the notice described in |
17-19 |
subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be included whenever the primary subscriber is provided |
17-20 |
with a policy, certificate or contract of health insurance. |
17-21 |
     (C) A health plan, nonprofit medical service plan or nonprofit hospital service plan, |
17-22 |
including a health insurance carrier or a health maintenance organization, may use the model |
17-23 |
language in 45 CFR section 147.138(a)(4)(iii) to satisfy the requirements of this subsection. |
17-24 |
     (e) The requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) shall not apply to grandfathered |
17-25 |
health plans. |
17-26 |
     27-18-59. |
17-27 |
(a)(1) Every individual health insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or |
17-28 |
renewed in this state and every group health insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered, issued |
17-29 |
for delivery or renewed in this state which provides |
17-30 |
|
17-31 |
|
17-32 |
for supplemental policies which only provide coverage for specified diseases and other |
17-33 |
supplemental policies, shall |
17-34 |
|
18-1 |
|
18-2 |
|
18-3 |
|
18-4 |
|
18-5 |
twenty-six (26) years of age. |
18-6 |
|
18-7 |
|
18-8 |
|
18-9 |
|
18-10 |
|
18-11 |
|
18-12 |
|
18-13 |
|
18-14 |
|
18-15 |
|
18-16 |
     (2) With respect to a child who has not attained twenty-six (26) years of age, a health |
18-17 |
insurance carrier shall not define “dependent” for purposes of eligibility for dependent coverage |
18-18 |
of children other than the terms of a relationship between a child and the plan participant, and, in |
18-19 |
the individual market, primary subscriber. |
18-20 |
     (3) A health insurance carrier shall not deny or restrict coverage for a child who has not |
18-21 |
attained twenty-six (26) years of age based on the presence or absence of the child’s financial |
18-22 |
dependency upon the participant, primary subscriber or any other person, residency with the |
18-23 |
participant and in the individual market the primary subscriber, or with any other person, marital |
18-24 |
status, student status, employment or any combination of those factors. A health carrier shall not |
18-25 |
deny or restrict coverage of a child based on eligibility for other coverage, except as provided in |
18-26 |
subparagraph (d)(1) of this section. |
18-27 |
     (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a health insurance carrier to make |
18-28 |
coverage available for the child of a child receiving dependent coverage, unless the grandparent |
18-29 |
becomes the legal guardian or adoptive parent of that grandchild. |
18-30 |
     (5) The terms of coverage in a health benefit plan offered by a health insurance carrier |
18-31 |
providing dependent coverage of children cannot vary based on age except for children who are |
18-32 |
twenty-six (26) years of age or older. |
18-33 |
     (b)(1) This subsection applies to any child: |
19-34 |
     (A) Whose coverage ended, or who was denied coverage, or was not eligible for group |
19-35 |
health insurance coverage or individual health insurance coverage under a health benefit plan |
19-36 |
because, under the terms of coverage, the availability of dependent coverage of a child ended |
19-37 |
before the attainment of twenty-six (26) years of age; and |
19-38 |
     (B) Who becomes eligible, or is required to become eligible, for coverage on the first day |
19-39 |
of the first plan year and, in the individual market, the first day of the first policy year, beginning |
19-40 |
on or after September 23, 2010 by reason of the provisions of this section. |
19-41 |
     (2)(A) If group health insurance coverage or individual health insurance coverage, in |
19-42 |
which a child is eligible to enroll, or is required to become eligible to enroll, in the coverage in |
19-43 |
which the child’s coverage ended or did not begin for the reasons described in subdivision (1) of |
19-44 |
this subsection, and if the health insurance carrier is subject to the requirements of this section the |
19-45 |
health insurance carrier shall give the child an opportunity to enroll that continues for at least |
19-46 |
sixty (60) days, including the written notice of the opportunity to enroll as described subdivision |
19-47 |
(3) of this subsection. |
19-48 |
     (B) The health insurance carrier shall provide the opportunity to enroll, including the |
19-49 |
written notice beginning not later than the first day of the first plan year and in the individual |
19-50 |
market the first day of the first policy year, beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
19-51 |
     (3)(A) The written notice of opportunity to enroll shall include a statement that children |
19-52 |
whose coverage ended, or who were denied coverage, or were not eligible for coverage, because |
19-53 |
the availability of dependent coverage of children ended before the attainment of twenty-six (26) |
19-54 |
years of age are eligible to enroll in the coverage. |
19-55 |
     (B)(i) The notice may be provided to an employee on behalf of the employee’s child and, |
19-56 |
in the individual market, to the primary subscriber on behalf of the primary subscriber’s child. |
19-57 |
     (ii) For group health insurance coverage: |
19-58 |
     (I)The notice may be included with other enrollment materials that the health carrier |
19-59 |
distributes to employees, provided the statement is prominent; and |
19-60 |
     (II) If a notice satisfying the requirements of this subdivision is provided to an employee |
19-61 |
whose child is entitled to an enrollment opportunity under subsection (c) of this section, the |
19-62 |
obligation to provide the notice of enrollment opportunity under subdivision (B) of this |
19-63 |
subdivision (3) with respect to that child is satisfied for both the plan and health insurance carrier. |
19-64 |
     (C) The written notice shall be provided beginning not later than the first day of the first |
19-65 |
plan year and in the individual market the first day of the first policy year, beginning on or after |
19-66 |
September 23, 2010. |
19-67 |
     (4) For an individual who enrolls under this subsection, the coverage shall take effect not |
19-68 |
later than the first day of the first plan year and, in the individual market, the first day of the first |
20-1 |
policy year, beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
20-2 |
     (c)(1) A child enrolling in group health insurance coverage pursuant to subsections (b) |
20-3 |
and (c) of this section shall be treated as if the child were a special enrollee, as provided under |
20-4 |
regulations interpreting the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) |
20-5 |
portability provisions issued pursuant to Section 2714 of the Affordable Care Act. |
20-6 |
     (2)(A) The child and, if the child would not be a participant once enrolled, the participant |
20-7 |
through whom the child is otherwise eligible for coverage under the plan, shall be offered all the |
20-8 |
benefit packages available to similarly situated individuals who did not lose coverage by reason |
20-9 |
of cessation of dependent status. |
20-10 |
     (B) For purposes of this subdivision (2), any difference in benefits or cost-sharing |
20-11 |
requirements constitutes a different benefit package. |
20-12 |
     (3) The child shall not be required to pay more for coverage than similarly situated |
20-13 |
individuals who did not lose coverage by reason of cessation of dependent status. |
20-14 |
     (d)(1) For plan years beginning before January 1, 2014, a health insurance carrier |
20-15 |
providing group health insurance coverage that is a grandfathered health plan and makes |
20-16 |
available dependent coverage of children may exclude an adult child who has not attained twenty- |
20-17 |
six (26) years of age from coverage only if the adult child is eligible to enroll in an eligible |
20-18 |
employer-sponsored health benefit plan, as defined in section 5000A(f)(2) of the Internal |
20-19 |
Revenue Code, other than the group health plan of a parent. |
20-20 |
     (2) For plan years, beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a health insurance carrier |
20-21 |
providing group health insurance coverage that is a grandfathered health plan shall comply with |
20-22 |
the requirements of subsections (a) through (e) of this section. |
20-23 |
     (3) The provisions of this section shall apply to policy years in the individual market on |
20-24 |
and after September 23, 2010. |
20-25 |
      |
20-26 |
hospital confinement indemnity; (2) disability income; (3) accident only; (4) long term care; (5) |
20-27 |
Medicare supplement; (6) limited benefit health; (7) specified diseased indemnity; or (8) other |
20-28 |
limited benefit policies. |
20-29 |
     SECTION 4. Sections 27-19-1 and 27-19-50 of the General laws in Chapter 27-19 |
20-30 |
entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service Corporations" are hereby amended to read as follows: |
20-31 |
     27-19-1. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter: |
20-32 |
      (1) "Contracting hospital" means an eligible hospital which has contracted with a |
20-33 |
nonprofit hospital service corporation to render hospital care to subscribers to the nonprofit |
20-34 |
hospital service plan operated by the corporation; |
21-1 |
     (2) Adverse benefit determination" means any of the following: a denial, reduction, or |
21-2 |
termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, |
21-3 |
including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is |
21-4 |
based on a determination of a participant's or beneficiary's eligibility to participate in a plan or to |
21-5 |
receive coverage under a plan, and including, with respect to group health plans, a denial, |
21-6 |
reduction, or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a |
21-7 |
benefit resulting from the application of any utilization review, as well as a failure to cover an |
21-8 |
item or service for which benefits are otherwise provided because it is determined to be |
21-9 |
experimental or investigational or not medically necessary or appropriate. The term also includes |
21-10 |
a rescission of coverage determination. |
21-11 |
     (3) "Affordable Care Act" means the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, |
21-12 |
as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. |
21-13 |
     (4) “Commissioner” or “health insurance commissioner” means that individual appointed |
21-14 |
pursuant to section 42-14.5-1 of the General laws. |
21-15 |
     (5) "Eligible hospital" is one which is maintained either by the state or by any of its |
21-16 |
political subdivisions or by a corporation organized for hospital purposes under the laws of this |
21-17 |
state or of any other state or of the United States, which is designated as an eligible hospital by a |
21-18 |
majority of the directors of the nonprofit hospital service corporation; |
21-19 |
     (6) “Grandfathered health plan” means any group health plan or health insurance |
21-20 |
coverage subject to 42 USC section 18011; |
21-21 |
     (7) “Group health insurance coverage” means, in connection with a group health plan, |
21-22 |
health insurance coverage offered in connection with such plan; |
21-23 |
     (8) “Group health plan” means an employee welfare benefit plan as defined 29 USC |
21-24 |
section 1002(1), to the extent that the plan provides health benefits to employees or their |
21-25 |
dependents directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise; |
21-26 |
     (9) “Health benefits” or “covered benefits” means medical, surgical, hospital, |
21-27 |
prescription drug, and such other benefits, whether self-funded, or delivered through the purchase |
21-28 |
of insurance or otherwise; |
21-29 |
     (10) “Health care facility” means an institution providing health care services or a health |
21-30 |
care setting, including but not limited to hospitals and other licensed inpatient centers, ambulatory |
21-31 |
surgical or treatment centers, skilled nursing centers, residential treatment centers, diagnostic, |
21-32 |
laboratory and imaging centers, and rehabilitation and other therapeutic health settings; |
21-33 |
     (11) "Health care professional" means a physician or other health care practitioner |
21-34 |
licensed, accredited or certified to perform specified health care services consistent with state |
22-1 |
law; |
22-2 |
     (12) "Health care provider" or "provider" means a health care professional or a health |
22-3 |
care facility; |
22-4 |
     (13) "Health care services" means services for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, cure |
22-5 |
or relief of a health condition, illness, injury or disease; |
22-6 |
     (14) “Health insurance carrier” means a person, firm, corporation or other entity subject |
22-7 |
to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter, and includes nonprofit hospital service |
22-8 |
corporations. Such term does not include a group health plan; |
22-9 |
     (15) "Health plan" or "health benefit plan" means health insurance coverage and a group |
22-10 |
health plan, including coverage provided through an association plan if it covers Rhode Island |
22-11 |
residents. Except to the extent specifically provided by the Affordable Care Act, the term “health |
22-12 |
plan” shall not include a group health plan to the extent state regulation of the health plan is pre- |
22-13 |
empted under section 514 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The term |
22-14 |
also shall not include: |
22-15 |
     (A)(i) Coverage only for accident, or disability income insurance, or any combination |
22-16 |
thereof. |
22-17 |
     (ii) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance. |
22-18 |
     (iii) Liability insurance, including general liability insurance and automobile liability |
22-19 |
insurance. |
22-20 |
     (iv) Workers’ compensation or similar insurance. |
22-21 |
     (v) Automobile medical payment insurance. |
22-22 |
     (vi) Credit-only insurance. |
22-23 |
     (vii) Coverage for on-site medical clinics. |
22-24 |
     (viii) Other similar insurance coverage, specified in federal regulations issued pursuant to |
22-25 |
Pub. L. No. 104-191, the health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), |
22-26 |
under which benefits for medical care are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits. |
22-27 |
     (B) The following benefits if they are provided under a separate policy, certificate or |
22-28 |
contract of insurance or are otherwise not an integral part of the plan: |
22-29 |
     (i) Limited scope dental or vision benefits. |
22-30 |
     (ii) Benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care, community-based |
22-31 |
care, or any combination thereof. |
22-32 |
     (iii)Other excepted benefits specified in federal regulations issued pursuant to Pub. L. No. |
22-33 |
104-191 (“HIPAA”). |
23-34 |
     (C) The following benefits if the benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate |
23-35 |
or contract of insurance, there is no coordination between the provision of the benefits and any |
23-36 |
exclusion of benefits under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor, and the |
23-37 |
benefits are paid with respect to an event without regard to whether benefits are provided with |
23-38 |
respect to such an event under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor: |
23-39 |
     (i) Coverage only for a specified disease or illness. |
23-40 |
     (ii) Hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance. |
23-41 |
     (D) The following if offered as a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance: |
23-42 |
     (i) Medicare supplement health insurance as defined under section 1882(g)(1) of the |
23-43 |
Social Security Act. |
23-44 |
     (ii) Coverage supplemental to the coverage provided under chapter 55 of title 10, United |
23-45 |
States Code (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS)). |
23-46 |
     (iii) Similar supplemental coverage provided to coverage under a group health plan. |
23-47 |
      |
23-48 |
pursuant to this chapter for the purpose of establishing, maintaining, and operating a nonprofit |
23-49 |
hospital service plan; |
23-50 |
      |
23-51 |
is to be provided to subscribers to the plan by a contracting hospital; |
23-52 |
     (18) "Office of the health insurance commissioner" means the agency established under |
23-53 |
section 42-14.5-1 of the General Law; |
23-54 |
     (19) “Rescission" means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that has retroactive |
23-55 |
effect for reasons unrelated to timely payment of required premiums or contribution to costs of |
23-56 |
coverage; and |
23-57 |
      |
23-58 |
have contracted with a nonprofit hospital service corporation for hospital care pursuant to a |
23-59 |
nonprofit hospital service plan operated by the corporation. |
23-60 |
     27-19-50. |
23-61 |
(1) Every individual health insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or |
23-62 |
renewed in this state and every group health insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered, issued |
23-63 |
for delivery or renewed in this state which provides |
23-64 |
|
23-65 |
|
23-66 |
for supplemental policies which only provide coverage for specified diseases and other |
23-67 |
supplemental policies, shall |
23-68 |
|
24-1 |
|
24-2 |
|
24-3 |
|
24-4 |
|
24-5 |
twenty-six (26) years of age. |
24-6 |
|
24-7 |
|
24-8 |
|
24-9 |
|
24-10 |
|
24-11 |
|
24-12 |
      |
24-13 |
|
24-14 |
|
24-15 |
|
24-16 |
|
24-17 |
     (2) With respect to a child who has not attained twenty-six (26) years of age, a health |
24-18 |
insurance carrier shall not define “dependent” for purposes of eligibility for dependent coverage |
24-19 |
of children other than the terms of a relationship between a child and the plan participant, and, in |
24-20 |
the individual market, primary subscriber. |
24-21 |
     (3) A health insurance carrier shall not deny or restrict coverage for a child who has not |
24-22 |
attained twenty-six (26) years of age based on the presence or absence of the child’s financial |
24-23 |
dependency upon the participant, primary subscriber or any other person, residency with the |
24-24 |
participant and in the individual market the primary subscriber, or with any other person, marital |
24-25 |
status, student status, employment or any combination of those factors. A health carrier shall not |
24-26 |
deny or restrict coverage of a child based on eligibility for other coverage, except as provided in |
24-27 |
(d)(1) of this section. |
24-28 |
     (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a health insurance carrier to make |
24-29 |
coverage available for the child of a child receiving dependent coverage, unless the grandparent |
24-30 |
becomes the legal guardian or adoptive parent of that grandchild. |
24-31 |
     (5) The terms of coverage in a health benefit plan offered by a health insurance carrier |
24-32 |
providing dependent coverage of children cannot vary based on age except for children who are |
24-33 |
twenty-six (26) years of age or older. |
25-34 |
     (b)(1) This subsection applies to any child: |
25-35 |
     (A) Whose coverage ended, or who was denied coverage, or was not eligible for group |
25-36 |
health insurance coverage or individual health insurance coverage under a health benefit plan |
25-37 |
because, under the terms of coverage, the availability of dependent coverage of a child ended |
25-38 |
before the attainment of twenty-six (26) years of age; and |
25-39 |
     (B) Who becomes eligible, or is required to become eligible, for coverage on the first day |
25-40 |
of the first plan year and, in the individual market, the first day of the first policy year, beginning |
25-41 |
on or after September 23, 2010 by reason of the provisions of this section. |
25-42 |
     (2)(A) If group health insurance coverage or individual health insurance coverage, in |
25-43 |
which a child is eligible to enroll, or is required to become eligible to enroll, in the coverage in |
25-44 |
which the child’s coverage ended or did not begin for the reasons described in subdivision (1) of |
25-45 |
this subsection, and if the health insurance carrier is subject to the requirements of this section the |
25-46 |
health insurance carrier shall give the child an opportunity to enroll that continues for at least |
25-47 |
sixty (60) days, including the written notice of the opportunity to enroll as described subdivision |
25-48 |
(3) of this subsection. |
25-49 |
     (B) The health insurance carrier shall provide the opportunity to enroll, including the |
25-50 |
written notice beginning not later than the first day of the first plan year and in the individual |
25-51 |
market the first day of the first policy year, beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
25-52 |
     (3)(A) The written notice of opportunity to enroll shall include a statement that children |
25-53 |
whose coverage ended, or who were denied coverage, or were not eligible for coverage, because |
25-54 |
the availability of dependent coverage of children ended before the attainment of twenty-six (26) |
25-55 |
years of age are eligible to enroll in the coverage. |
25-56 |
     (B)(i) The notice may be provided to an employee on behalf of the employee’s child and, |
25-57 |
in the individual market, to the primary subscriber on behalf of the primary subscriber’s child. |
25-58 |
     (ii) For group health insurance coverage: |
25-59 |
     (I) The notice may be included with other enrollment materials that the health carrier |
25-60 |
distributes to employees, provided the statement is prominent; and |
25-61 |
     (II) If a notice satisfying the requirements of this subdivision is provided to an employee |
25-62 |
whose child is entitled to an enrollment opportunity under subsection (b) of this section, the |
25-63 |
obligation to provide the notice of enrollment opportunity under subdivision (B) of this |
25-64 |
subdivision (3) with respect to that child is satisfied for both the plan and health insurance carrier. |
25-65 |
     (C) The written notice shall be provided beginning not later than the first day of the first |
25-66 |
plan year and in the individual market the first day of the first policy year, beginning on or after |
25-67 |
September 23, 2010. |
26-68 |
     (4) For an individual who enrolls under this subsection, the coverage shall take effect not |
26-69 |
later than the first day of the first plan year and, in the individual market, the first day of the first |
26-70 |
policy year, beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
26-71 |
     (c)(1) A child enrolling in group health insurance coverage pursuant to subsection (b) of |
26-72 |
this section shall be treated as if the child were a special enrollee, as provided under regulations |
26-73 |
interpreting the HIPAA portability provisions issued pursuant to Section 2714 of the Affordable |
26-74 |
Care Act. |
26-75 |
     (2)(A) The child and, if the child would not be a participant once enrolled, the participant |
26-76 |
through whom the child is otherwise eligible for coverage under the plan, shall be offered all the |
26-77 |
benefit packages available to similarly situated individuals who did not lose coverage by reason |
26-78 |
of cessation of dependent status. |
26-79 |
     (B) For purposes of this subdivision (2), any difference in benefits or cost-sharing |
26-80 |
requirements constitutes a different benefit package. |
26-81 |
     (3) The child shall not be required to pay more for coverage than similarly situated |
26-82 |
individuals who did not lose coverage by reason of cessation of dependent status. |
26-83 |
     (d)(1) For plan years beginning before January 1, 2014, a group health plan providing |
26-84 |
group health insurance coverage that is a grandfathered health plan and makes available |
26-85 |
dependent coverage of children may exclude an adult child who has not attained twenty-six (26) |
26-86 |
years of age from coverage only if the adult child is eligible to enroll in an eligible employer- |
26-87 |
sponsored health benefit plan, as defined in section 5000A(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, |
26-88 |
other than the group health plan of a parent. |
26-89 |
     (2) For plan years, beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a group health plan providing |
26-90 |
group health insurance coverage that is a grandfathered health plan shall comply with the |
26-91 |
requirements of subsections (a) through (e). |
26-92 |
     (3) The provision of this section applies to policy years in the individual market on and |
26-93 |
after September 23, 2010, and shall apply to grandfathered health plans. |
26-94 |
      |
26-95 |
hospital confinement indemnity; (2) disability income; (3) accident only; (4) long term care; (5) |
26-96 |
Medicare supplement; (6) limited benefit health; (7) specified diseased indemnity; or (8) other |
26-97 |
limited benefit policies. |
26-98 |
     SECTION 5. Chapter 27-19 of the General laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service |
26-99 |
Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections: |
26-100 |
     27-19-7.1. Uniform explanation of benefits and coverage. – (a) A nonprofit hospital |
26-101 |
service corporation shall provide a uniform summary of benefits and coverage explanation and |
26-102 |
standardized definitions to policyholders and others required by, and at the times required by, the |
27-1 |
federal regulations adopted under section 2715 of the Affordable Care Act. A summary required |
27-2 |
by this section shall be filed with the commissioner for approval under Rhode Island general laws |
27-3 |
section 27-19-7.2. The requirements of this section shall be in addition to the requirements of |
27-4 |
Rhode Island general laws section 27-19-7.2. The commissioner may waive one or more of the |
27-5 |
requirements of the regulations adopted under section 2715 of the Affordable Care Act for good |
27-6 |
cause shown. The summary must contain at least the following information: |
27-7 |
     (1) Uniform definitions of standard insurance and medical terms. |
27-8 |
     (2) A description of coverage and cost-sharing for each category of essential benefits and |
27-9 |
other benefits. |
27-10 |
     (3) Exceptions, reductions and limitations in coverage. |
27-11 |
     (4) Renewability and continuation of coverage provisions. |
27-12 |
     (5) A “coverage facts label” that illustrates coverage under common benefits scenarios. |
27-13 |
     (6) A statement of whether the policy, contract or plan provides the minimum coverage |
27-14 |
required of a qualified health plan. |
27-15 |
     (7) A statement that the outline is a summary and that the actual policy language should |
27-16 |
be consulted; and |
27-17 |
     (8) A contact number for the consumer to call with additional questions and the web |
27-18 |
address of where the actual language of the policy, contract or plan can be found. |
27-19 |
     (b) The provisions of this section shall apply to grandfathered health plans. |
27-20 |
     27-19-7.2. Filing of policy forms. – A nonprofit hospital service corporation shall file all |
27-21 |
policy forms and rates used by it in the state with the commissioner, including the forms of any |
27-22 |
rider, endorsement, application blank, and other matter generally used or incorporated by |
27-23 |
reference in its policies or contracts of insurance. No such rate shall be used unless first approved |
27-24 |
by the commissioner. No such form shall be used if disapproved by the commissioner under this |
27-25 |
section, or if the commissioner's approval has been withdrawn after notice and an opportunity to |
27-26 |
be heard, or until the expiration of sixty (60) days following the filing of the form. A nonprofit |
27-27 |
hospital service corporation shall comply with its filed and approved rates and forms. If the |
27-28 |
commissioner finds from an examination of any form that it is contrary to the public interest, or |
27-29 |
the requirements of this code or duly promulgated regulations, he or she shall forbid its use, and |
27-30 |
shall notify the corporation in writing. Each form shall include a certification by a qualified |
27-31 |
actuary that to the best of the actuary's knowledge and judgment, the entire rate is in compliance |
27-32 |
with applicable laws and that the benefits are reasonable in relation to the premium to be charged. |
27-33 |
     27-19-62. Prohibition on rescission of coverage. – (a)(1) Coverage under a health plan |
27-34 |
subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter with respect to an individual, |
28-1 |
including a group to which the individual belongs or family coverage in which the individual is |
28-2 |
included, shall not be rescinded after the individual is covered under the plan, unless: |
28-3 |
     (A) The individual or a person seeking coverage on behalf of the individual, performs an |
28-4 |
act, practice or omission that constitutes fraud; or |
28-5 |
     (B) The individual makes an intentional misrepresentation of material fact, as prohibited |
28-6 |
by the terms of the plan or coverage. |
28-7 |
     (2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), a person seeking coverage on behalf of an |
28-8 |
individual does not include an insurance producer or employee or authorized representative of the |
28-9 |
health carrier. |
28-10 |
     (b) At least thirty (30) days advance written notice shall be provided to each health |
28-11 |
benefit plan enrollee or, for individual health insurance coverage, primary subscriber, who would |
28-12 |
be affected by the proposed rescission of coverage before coverage under the plan may be |
28-13 |
rescinded in accordance with subsection (a) regardless of, in the case of group health insurance |
28-14 |
coverage, whether the rescission applies to the entire group or only to an individual within the |
28-15 |
group. |
28-16 |
     (c) For purposes of this section, “to rescind” means to cancel or to discontinue coverage |
28-17 |
with retroactive effect for reasons unrelated to timely payment of required premiums or |
28-18 |
contribution to costs of coverage. |
28-19 |
     (d) This section applies to grandfathered health plans. |
28-20 |
     27-19-63. Prohibition on annual and lifetime limits. – (a) Annual limits. (1) For plan or |
28-21 |
policy years beginning prior to January 1, 2014, for any individual, a health insurance carrier and |
28-22 |
health benefit plan subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter may |
28-23 |
establish an annual limit on the dollar amount of benefits that are essential health benefits |
28-24 |
provided the restricted annual limit is not less than the following: |
28-25 |
     (A) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2010, but before September |
28-26 |
23, 2011 – seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000); |
28-27 |
     (B) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2011, but before September |
28-28 |
23, 2012 – one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($1,250,000); and |
28-29 |
     (C) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2012, but before January 1, |
28-30 |
2014 – two million dollars ($2,000,000). |
28-31 |
     (2) For plan or policy years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a health insurance |
28-32 |
carrier and health benefit plan shall not establish any annual limit on the dollar amount of |
28-33 |
essential health benefits for any individual, except: |
29-34 |
     (A) A health flexible spending arrangement, as defined in Section 106(c)(2)(i) of the |
29-35 |
Internal Revenue Code, a medical savings account, as defined in Section 220 of the Internal |
29-36 |
Revenue Code, and a health savings account, as defined in Section 223 of the Internal Revenue |
29-37 |
Code, are not subject to the requirements of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection . |
29-38 |
     (B) The provisions of this subsection shall not prevent a health insurance carrier and |
29-39 |
health benefit plan from placing annual dollar limits for any individual on specific covered |
29-40 |
benefits that are not essential health benefits to the extent that such limits are otherwise permitted |
29-41 |
under applicable federal law or the laws and regulations of this state. |
29-42 |
     (3) In determining whether an individual has received benefits that meet or exceed the |
29-43 |
allowable limits, as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, a health insurance carrier and |
29-44 |
health benefit plan shall take into account only essential health benefits. |
29-45 |
     (b) Lifetime limits. |
29-46 |
     (1) A health insurance carrier and health benefit plan offering group or individual health |
29-47 |
insurance coverage shall not establish a lifetime limit on-the-dollar-value of essential health |
29-48 |
benefits, as designated pursuant to a state determination and in accordance with federal laws and |
29-49 |
regulations, for any individual. |
29-50 |
     (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) above, a health insurance carrier and health benefit |
29-51 |
plan is not prohibited from placing lifetime dollar limits for any individual on specific covered |
29-52 |
benefits that are not essential health benefits, as designated pursuant to a state determination and |
29-53 |
in accordance with federal laws and regulations. |
29-54 |
     (c)(1) Reinstatement of Coverage. Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this |
29-55 |
subsection, this subsection applies to any individual: |
29-56 |
     (A) Whose coverage or benefits under a health plan ended by reason of reaching a |
29-57 |
lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits for the individual; and |
29-58 |
     (B) Who, due to the provisions of this section, becomes eligible, or is required to become |
29-59 |
eligible, for benefits not subject to a lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits under the |
29-60 |
health benefit plan: |
29-61 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, on the first day of the first plan year beginning |
29-62 |
on or after September 23, 2010; or |
29-63 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, on the first day of the first policy year |
29-64 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
29-65 |
     (2) For individual health insurance coverage, an individual is not entitled to reinstatement |
29-66 |
under the health benefit plan under this subsection if the individual reached his or her lifetime |
29-67 |
limit and the contract is not renewed or is otherwise no longer in effect. However, this subsection |
29-68 |
applies to a family member who reached his or her lifetime limit in a family plan and other family |
30-1 |
members remain covered under the plan. |
30-2 |
     (3)(A) If an individual described in subdivision (1) is eligible for benefits or is required to |
30-3 |
become eligible for benefits under the health benefit plan, the health carrier shall provide the |
30-4 |
individual written notice that: |
30-5 |
     (i) The lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits no longer applies; and |
30-6 |
     (ii) The individual, if still covered under the plan, is again eligible to receive benefits |
30-7 |
under the plan. |
30-8 |
     (B) If the individual is not enrolled in the plan, or if an enrolled individual is eligible for, |
30-9 |
but not enrolled in any benefit package under the plan, the health benefit plan shall provide an |
30-10 |
opportunity for the individual to enroll in the plan for a period of at least thirty (30) days. |
30-11 |
     (C) The notices and enrollment opportunity under this subdivision shall be provided |
30-12 |
beginning not later: |
30-13 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, the first day of the first plan year beginning on |
30-14 |
or after September 23, 2010; or |
30-15 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, the first day of the first policy year |
30-16 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
30-17 |
     (iii) The notices required under this subsection shall be provided: |
30-18 |
     (I)For group health insurance coverage, to an employee on behalf of the employee’s |
30-19 |
dependent; or |
30-20 |
     (II) For individual health insurance coverage, to the primary subscriber on behalf of the |
30-21 |
primary subscriber’s dependent. |
30-22 |
     (D) For group health insurance coverage, the notices may be included with other |
30-23 |
enrollment materials that a health plan distributes to employees, provided the statement is |
30-24 |
prominent. For group health insurance coverage, if a notice satisfying the requirements of this |
30-25 |
subsection is provided to an individual, a health insurance carrier’s requirement to provide the |
30-26 |
notice with respect to that individual is satisfied. |
30-27 |
     (E) For any individual who enrolls in a health plan in accordance with subdivision (2) of |
30-28 |
this subsection, coverage under the plan shall take effect not later than: |
30-29 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, the first day of the first plan year beginning on |
30-30 |
or after September 23, 2010; or |
30-31 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, the first day of the first policy year |
30-32 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
30-33 |
     (d)(1) An individual enrolling in a health plan for group health insurance coverage in |
30-34 |
accordance with subsection (c) of this subsection shall be treated as if the individual were a |
31-1 |
special enrollee in the plan, as provided under regulations interpreting the HIPAA portability |
31-2 |
provisions issued pursuant to Section 2714 of the Affordable Care Act. |
31-3 |
     (2) An individual enrolling in accordance with subsection (c) of this subsection: |
31-4 |
     (A) shall be offered all of the benefit packages available to similarly situated individuals |
31-5 |
who did not lose coverage under the plan by reason of reaching a lifetime limit on the dollar value |
31-6 |
of all benefits; and |
31-7 |
     (B) Shall not be required to pay more for coverage than similarly situated individuals |
31-8 |
who did not lose coverage by reason of reaching a lifetime limit on the dollar value of all |
31-9 |
benefits. |
31-10 |
     (3) For purposes of subsection B(1), any difference in benefits or cost-sharing constitutes |
31-11 |
a different benefit package. |
31-12 |
     (e)(1) The provisions of this section relating to lifetime limits apply to any health |
31-13 |
insurance carrier providing coverage under an individual or group health plan, including |
31-14 |
grandfathered health plans. |
31-15 |
     (2) The provisions of this section relating to annual limits apply to any health insurance |
31-16 |
carrier providing coverage under a group health plan, including grandfathered health plans, but |
31-17 |
the prohibition and limits on annual limits do not apply to grandfathered health plans providing |
31-18 |
individual health insurance coverage. |
31-19 |
     27-19-64. Coverage for preventive items and services. – (a) Every health insurance |
31-20 |
carrier providing coverage under an individual or group health plan shall provide coverage for all |
31-21 |
of the following items and services, and shall not impose any cost-sharing requirements, such as a |
31-22 |
copayment, coinsurance or deductible, with respect to the following items and services: |
31-23 |
     (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, and except as may |
31-24 |
otherwise be provided in federal regulations implementing the Affordable Care Act, evidence- |
31-25 |
based items or services that have in effect a rating of A or B in the recommendations of the |
31-26 |
United States Preventive Services Task Force as of September 23, 2010, and as may subsequently |
31-27 |
be amended. |
31-28 |
     (2) Immunizations for routine use in children, adolescents and adults that have in effect a |
31-29 |
recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for |
31-30 |
Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved. For purposes of this |
31-31 |
subdivision, a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the |
31-32 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considered in effect after it has been adopted by the |
31-33 |
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a recommendation is considered |
31-34 |
to be for routine use if it is listed on the Immunization Schedules of the Centers for Disease |
32-1 |
Control and Prevention. |
32-2 |
     (3) With respect to infants, children and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care, |
32-3 |
and screenings provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and |
32-4 |
Services Administration. |
32-5 |
     (4) With respect to women, to the extent not described in subdivision (1) of this |
32-6 |
subsection, evidence-informed preventive care and screenings provided for in comprehensive |
32-7 |
coverage guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration. |
32-8 |
     (b)(1) A health insurance carrier is not required to provide coverage for any items or |
32-9 |
services specified in any recommendation or guideline described in subsection (a) of this section |
32-10 |
after the recommendation or guideline is no longer described in subsection (a) of this section. The |
32-11 |
provisions of this subdivision shall not affect the obligation of the health insurance carrier to |
32-12 |
provide notice to a covered person before any material modification of coverage becomes |
32-13 |
effective, in accordance with other requirements of state and federal law, including section |
32-14 |
2715(d)(4) of the Public Health Services Act. |
32-15 |
     (2) A health insurance carrier shall at least annually at the beginning of each new plan |
32-16 |
year or policy year, whichever is applicable, revise the preventive services covered under its |
32-17 |
health benefit plans pursuant to this section consistent with the recommendations of the United |
32-18 |
States Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the |
32-19 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the guidelines with respect to infants, children, |
32-20 |
adolescents and women evidence-based preventive care and screenings by the Health Resources |
32-21 |
and Services Administration in effect at the time. |
32-22 |
     (c)(1) A health insurance carrier may impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to an |
32-23 |
office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is billed separately or is |
32-24 |
tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit. |
32-25 |
     (2) A health insurance carrier shall not impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to |
32-26 |
an office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is not billed |
32-27 |
separately or is not tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit and the |
32-28 |
primary purpose of the office visit is the delivery of the item or service described in subsection |
32-29 |
(a) of this section. |
32-30 |
     (3) A health insurance carrier may impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to an |
32-31 |
office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is not billed separately |
32-32 |
or is not tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit and the primary |
32-33 |
purpose of the office visit is not the delivery of the item or service. |
33-34 |
     (d)(1) Nothing in this section requires a health insurance carrier that has a network of |
33-35 |
providers to provide coverage for items and services described in subsection (a) of this section |
33-36 |
that are delivered by an out-of-network provider. |
33-37 |
     (2) Nothing in subsection (a) of this section precludes a health insurance carrier that has a |
33-38 |
network of providers from imposing cost-sharing requirements for items or services described in |
33-39 |
subsection (a) of this section that are delivered by an out-of-network provider. |
33-40 |
     (e) Nothing prevents a health insurance carrier from using reasonable medical |
33-41 |
management techniques to determine the frequency, method, treatment or setting for an item or |
33-42 |
service described in subsection (a) of this section to the extent not specified in the |
33-43 |
recommendation or guideline. |
33-44 |
     (f) Nothing in this section prohibits a health insurance carrier from providing coverage |
33-45 |
for items and services in addition to those recommended by the United States Preventive Services |
33-46 |
Task Force or the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease |
33-47 |
Control and Prevention, or provided by guidelines supported by the Health Resources and |
33-48 |
Services Administration, or from denying coverage for items and services that are not |
33-49 |
recommended by that task force or that advisory committee, or under those guidelines. A health |
33-50 |
insurance carrier may impose cost-sharing requirements for a treatment not described in |
33-51 |
subsection (a) of this section even if the treatment results from an item or service described in |
33-52 |
subsection (a) of this section. |
33-53 |
     (g) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
33-54 |
     27-19-65. Coverage for individuals participating in approved clinical trials. – (a) As |
33-55 |
used in this section: |
33-56 |
     (1) “Approved clinical trial” means a phase I, phase II, phase III or phase IV clinical trial |
33-57 |
that is conducted in relation to the prevention, detection or treatment of cancer or a life- |
33-58 |
threatening disease or condition and is described in any of the following: |
33-59 |
     (A) The study or investigation is approved or funded, which may include funding through |
33-60 |
in-kind contributions, by one or more of the following: |
33-61 |
     (i) The National Institutes of Health; |
33-62 |
     (ii) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; |
33-63 |
     (iii) The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality; |
33-64 |
     (iv) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; |
33-65 |
     (v) A cooperative group or center of any of the entities described in items (i) through (iv) |
33-66 |
or the Department of Defense or the Department of Veteran Affairs; |
33-67 |
     (vi) A qualified non-governmental research entity identified in the guidelines issued by |
33-68 |
the National Institutes of Health for center support grants; or |
34-1 |
     (vii) A study or investigation conducted by the Department of Veteran Affairs, the |
34-2 |
Department of Defense, or the Department of Energy, if the study or investigation has been |
34-3 |
reviewed and approved through a system of peer review that the Secretary of U.S. Department of |
34-4 |
Health and Human Services determines: |
34-5 |
     (I) Is comparable to the system of peer review of studies and investigations used by the |
34-6 |
National Institutes of Health; and |
34-7 |
     (II) Assures unbiased review of the highest scientific standards by qualified individuals |
34-8 |
who have no interest in the outcome of the review. |
34-9 |
     (B) The study or investigation is conducted under an investigational new drug application |
34-10 |
reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration; or |
34-11 |
     (C) The study or investigation is a drug trial that is exempt from having such an |
34-12 |
investigational new drug application. |
34-13 |
     (2) “Participant” has the meaning stated in section 3(7) of ERISA. |
34-14 |
     (3) “Participating provider” means a health care provider that, under a contract with the |
34-15 |
health carrier or with its contractor or subcontractor, has agreed to provide health care services to |
34-16 |
covered persons with an expectation of receiving payment, other than coinsurance, copayments or |
34-17 |
deductibles, directly or indirectly from the health carrier. |
34-18 |
     (4) “Qualified individual” means a participant or beneficiary who meets the following |
34-19 |
conditions: |
34-20 |
     (A) The individual is eligible to participate in an approved clinical trial according to the |
34-21 |
trial protocol with respect to the treatment of cancer or other life-threatening disease or condition; |
34-22 |
and |
34-23 |
     (B)(i) The referring health care professional is a participating provider and has concluded |
34-24 |
that the individual’s participation in such trial would be appropriate based on the individual |
34-25 |
meeting the conditions described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3); or |
34-26 |
     (ii) The participant or beneficiary provides medical and scientific information |
34-27 |
establishing the individual’s participation in such trial would be appropriate based on the |
34-28 |
individual meeting the conditions described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3). |
34-29 |
     (5) “Life-threatening condition” means any disease or condition from which the |
34-30 |
likelihood of death is probable unless the course of the disease or condition is interrupted. |
34-31 |
     (b)(1) If a health insurance carrier offering group or individual health insurance coverage |
34-32 |
provides coverage to a qualified individual, the health carrier: |
34-33 |
     (A) Shall not deny the individual participation in an approved clinical trial. |
35-34 |
      (B) Subject to subdivision (3) of this subsection, shall not deny or limit or impose |
35-35 |
additional conditions on the coverage of routine patient costs for items and services furnished in |
35-36 |
connection with participation in the approved clinical trial; and |
35-37 |
     (C)Shall not discriminate against the individual on the basis of the individual’s |
35-38 |
participation in the approved clinical trial. |
35-39 |
     (2)(A) Subject to subdivision (B) of this subdivision (2), routine patient costs include all |
35-40 |
items and services consistent with the coverage typically covered for a qualified individual who is |
35-41 |
not enrolled in an approved clinical trial. |
35-42 |
     (B) For purposes of subdivision (B) of this subdivision (2), routine patient costs do not |
35-43 |
include: |
35-44 |
     (i) The investigational item, device or service itself; |
35-45 |
     (ii) Items and services that are provided solely to satisfy data collection and analysis |
35-46 |
needs and that are not used in the direct clinical management of the patient; or |
35-47 |
     (iii) A service that is clearly inconsistent with widely accepted and established standards |
35-48 |
of care for a particular diagnosis. |
35-49 |
     (3) If one or more participating providers are participating in a clinical trial, nothing in |
35-50 |
subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be construed as preventing a health carrier from requiring |
35-51 |
that a qualified individual participate in the trial through such a participating provider if the |
35-52 |
provider will accept the individual as a participant in the trial. |
35-53 |
     (4) Notwithstanding subdivision (3) of this subsection, subdivision (1) of this subsection |
35-54 |
shall apply to a qualified individual participating in an approved clinical trial that is conducted |
35-55 |
outside this state. |
35-56 |
     (5) This section shall not be construed to require a health carrier offering group or |
35-57 |
individual health insurance coverage to provide benefits for routine patient care services provided |
35-58 |
outside of the coverage’s health care provider network unless out-of-network benefits are |
35-59 |
otherwise provided under the coverage. |
35-60 |
     (6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a health carrier’s coverage with |
35-61 |
respect to clinical trials. |
35-62 |
     (c) The requirements of this section shall be in addition to the requirements of Rhode |
35-63 |
Island general laws sections 27-18-32 through 27-19-32.2. |
35-64 |
     (d) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
35-65 |
     (e) This section shall be effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. |
35-66 |
     27-19-66. Medical loss ratio rebates. – (a) A nonprofit hospital service corporation |
35-67 |
offering group or individual health insurance coverage, including a grandfathered health plan, |
35-68 |
shall pay medical loss ratio rebates as provided for in Section 2718(b)(1)(A) of the Affordable |
36-1 |
Care Act, in the manner and as required by federal laws and regulations. |
36-2 |
     (b) Health insurance carriers required to report medical loss ratio and rebate calculations |
36-3 |
and other medical loss ratio and rebate information to the U.S. Department of Health and Human |
36-4 |
Services shall concurrently file such information with the commissioner. |
36-5 |
     27-19-67. Emergency services. – (a) As used in this section: |
36-6 |
     (1) “Emergency medical condition” means a medical condition manifesting itself by |
36-7 |
acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) so that a prudent layperson, who |
36-8 |
possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of |
36-9 |
immediate medical attention to result in a condition: (i) Placing the health of the individual, or |
36-10 |
with respect to a pregnant woman her unborn child, in serious jeopardy; (ii) Constituting a serious |
36-11 |
impairment to bodily functions; or (iii) Constituting a serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or |
36-12 |
part. |
36-13 |
     (2) “Emergency services” means, with respect to an emergency medical condition: |
36-14 |
     (A) A medical screening examination (as required under section 1867 of the Social |
36-15 |
Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395dd) that is within the capability of the emergency department of a |
36-16 |
hospital, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department to evaluate |
36-17 |
such emergency medical condition, and |
36-18 |
     (B) Such further medical examination and treatment, to the extent they are within the |
36-19 |
capabilities of the staff and facilities available at the hospital, as are required under section 1867 |
36-20 |
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395dd) to stabilize the patient. |
36-21 |
     (3) “Stabilize”, with respect to an emergency medical condition has the meaning given in |
36-22 |
section 1867(e)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395dd(e)(3)). |
36-23 |
     (b) If a nonprofit hospital service corporation provides any benefits to subscribers with |
36-24 |
respect to services in an emergency department of a hospital, the plan must cover emergency |
36-25 |
services consistent with the rules of this section. |
36-26 |
     (c) A nonprofit hospital service corporation shall provide coverage for emergency |
36-27 |
services in the following manner: |
36-28 |
     (1) Without the need for any prior authorization determination, even if the emergency |
36-29 |
services are provided on an out-of-network basis; |
36-30 |
     (2) Without regard to whether the health care provider furnishing the emergency services |
36-31 |
is a participating network provider with respect to the services; |
36-32 |
     (3) If the emergency services are provided out of network, without imposing any |
36-33 |
administrative requirement or limitation on coverage that is more restrictive than the requirements |
36-34 |
or limitations that apply to emergency services received from in-network providers; |
37-1 |
     (4) If the emergency services are provided out of network, by complying with the cost- |
37-2 |
sharing requirements of subsection (d) of this section; and |
37-3 |
     (5) Without regard to any other term or condition of the coverage, other than: |
37-4 |
     (A) The exclusion of or coordination of benefits; |
37-5 |
     (B) An affiliation or waiting period permitted under part 7 of ERISA, part A of title |
37-6 |
XXVII of the PHS Act, or chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code; or |
37-7 |
     (C) Applicable cost sharing. |
37-8 |
     (d)(1) Any cost-sharing requirement expressed as a copayment amount or coinsurance |
37-9 |
rate imposed with respect to a participant or beneficiary for out-of-network emergency services |
37-10 |
cannot exceed the cost-sharing requirement imposed with respect to a participant or beneficiary if |
37-11 |
the services were provided in-network. However, a participant or beneficiary may be required to |
37-12 |
pay, in addition to the in-network cost sharing, the excess of the amount the out-of-network |
37-13 |
provider charges over the amount the plan or health insurance carrier is required to pay under |
37-14 |
subdivision (1) of this subsection. A group health plan or health insurance carrier complies with |
37-15 |
the requirements of this subsection if it provides benefits with respect to an emergency service in |
37-16 |
an amount equal to the greatest of the three amounts specified in subdivisions (A), (B), and (C) of |
37-17 |
this subdivision (1)(which are adjusted for in-network cost-sharing requirements). |
37-18 |
     (A) The amount negotiated with in-network providers for the emergency service |
37-19 |
furnished, excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the |
37-20 |
participant or beneficiary. If there is more than one amount negotiated with in-network providers |
37-21 |
for the emergency service, the amount described under this subdivision (A) is the median of these |
37-22 |
amounts, excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the |
37-23 |
participant or beneficiary. In determining the median described in the preceding sentence, the |
37-24 |
amount negotiated with each in-network provider is treated as a separate amount (even if the |
37-25 |
same amount is paid to more than one provider). If there is no per-service amount negotiated with |
37-26 |
in-network providers (such as under a capitation or other similar payment arrangement), the |
37-27 |
amount under this subdivision (A) is disregarded. |
37-28 |
     (B) The amount for the emergency service shall be calculated using the same method the |
37-29 |
plan generally uses to determine payments for out-of-network services (such as the usual, |
37-30 |
customary, and reasonable amount), excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance |
37-31 |
imposed with respect to the participant or beneficiary. The amount in this subdivision (B) is |
37-32 |
determined without reduction for out-of-network cost sharing that generally applies under the |
37-33 |
plan or health insurance coverage with respect to out-of-network services. Thus, for example, if a |
37-34 |
plan generally pays seventy percent (70%) of the usual, customary, and reasonable amount for |
38-1 |
out-of-network services, the amount in this subdivision (B) for an emergency service is the total, |
38-2 |
that is, one hundred percent (100%), of the usual, customary, and reasonable amount for the |
38-3 |
service, not reduced by the thirty percent (30%) coinsurance that would generally apply to out-of- |
38-4 |
network services (but reduced by the in-network copayment or coinsurance that the individual |
38-5 |
would be responsible for if the emergency service had been provided in-network). |
38-6 |
     (C) The amount that would be paid under Medicare (part A or part B of title XVIII of the |
38-7 |
Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for the emergency service, excluding any in-network |
38-8 |
copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the participant or beneficiary. |
38-9 |
     (2) Any cost-sharing requirement other than a copayment or coinsurance requirement |
38-10 |
(such as a deductible or out-of-pocket maximum) may be imposed with respect to emergency |
38-11 |
services provided out of network if the cost-sharing requirement generally applies to out-of- |
38-12 |
network benefits. A deductible may be imposed with respect to out-of-network emergency |
38-13 |
services only as part of a deductible that generally applies to out-of-network benefits. If an out-of- |
38-14 |
pocket maximum generally applies to out-of-network benefits, that out-of-pocket maximum must |
38-15 |
apply to out-of-network emergency services. |
38-16 |
     (e) The provisions of this section apply for plan years beginning on or after September |
38-17 |
23, 2010. |
38-18 |
     (f) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
38-19 |
     27-19-68. Internal and external appeal of adverse benefit determinations. – (a) The |
38-20 |
commissioner shall adopt regulations to implement standards and procedures with respect to |
38-21 |
internal claims and appeals of adverse benefit determinations, and with respect to external appeals |
38-22 |
of adverse benefit determinations. |
38-23 |
     (b) The regulations adopted by the commissioner shall apply to those adverse benefit |
38-24 |
determinations within the jurisdiction of the commissioner. |
38-25 |
     SECTION 6. Sections 27-20-1 and 27-20-45 of the General laws in Chapter 27-20 |
38-26 |
entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service Corporations" are hereby amended to read as follows: |
38-27 |
     27-20-1. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter: |
38-28 |
     (1) Adverse benefit determination" means any of the following: a denial, reduction, or |
38-29 |
termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, |
38-30 |
including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is |
38-31 |
based on a determination of a participant's or beneficiary's eligibility to participate in a plan or to |
38-32 |
receive coverage under a plan, and including, with respect to group health plans, a denial, |
38-33 |
reduction, or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a |
38-34 |
benefit resulting from the application of any utilization review, as well as a failure to cover an |
39-1 |
item or service for which benefits are otherwise provided because it is determined to be |
39-2 |
experimental or investigational or not medically necessary or appropriate. The term also includes |
39-3 |
a rescission of coverage determination. |
39-4 |
     (2) "Affordable Care Act" means the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, |
39-5 |
as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. |
39-6 |
      |
39-7 |
knowledge of physical assessment and management of health care and illnesses. The practice |
39-8 |
includes collaboration with other licensed health care professionals including, but not limited to, |
39-9 |
physicians, pharmacists, podiatrists, dentists, and nurses; |
39-10 |
     (4) “Commissioner” or “health insurance commissioner” means that individual appointed |
39-11 |
pursuant to section 42-14.5-1 of the General laws. |
39-12 |
      |
39-13 |
section 5-63.2-9. |
39-14 |
     (6) “Grandfathered health plan” means any group health plan or health insurance |
39-15 |
coverage subject to 42 USC section 18011. |
39-16 |
     (7) “Group health insurance coverage” means, in connection with a group health plan, |
39-17 |
health insurance coverage offered in connection with such plan. |
39-18 |
     (8) “Group health plan” means an employee welfare benefit plan as defined in 29 USC |
39-19 |
section 1002(1) to the extent that the plan provides health benefits to employees or their |
39-20 |
dependents directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise. |
39-21 |
     (9) “Health benefits” or “covered benefits” means medical, surgical, hospital, |
39-22 |
prescription drug, and such other benefits, whether self-funded, or delivered through the purchase |
39-23 |
of insurance or otherwise. |
39-24 |
     (10) “Health care facility” means an institution providing health care services or a health |
39-25 |
care setting, including but not limited to hospitals and other licensed inpatient centers, ambulatory |
39-26 |
surgical or treatment centers, skilled nursing centers, residential treatment centers, diagnostic, |
39-27 |
laboratory and imaging centers, and rehabilitation and other therapeutic health settings. |
39-28 |
     (11) "Health care professional" means a physician or other health care practitioner |
39-29 |
licensed, accredited or certified to perform specified health care services consistent with state |
39-30 |
law. |
39-31 |
     (12) "Health care provider" or "provider" means a health care professional or a health |
39-32 |
care facility. |
39-33 |
     (13) "Health care services" means services for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, cure |
39-34 |
or relief of a health condition, illness, injury or disease. |
40-1 |
     (14) “Health insurance carrier” means a person, firm, corporation or other entity subject |
40-2 |
to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter, and includes a nonprofit medical |
40-3 |
service corporation. Such term does not include a group health plan. |
40-4 |
     (15) "Health plan" or “health benefit plan” means health insurance coverage and a group |
40-5 |
health plan, including coverage provided through an association plan if it covers Rhode Island |
40-6 |
residents. Except to the extent specifically provided by the Affordable Care Act, the term ‘‘health |
40-7 |
plan’’ shall not include a group health plan to the extent state regulation of the health plan is pre- |
40-8 |
empted under section 514 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The term |
40-9 |
also shall not include: |
40-10 |
     (A)(i) Coverage only for accident, or disability income insurance, or any combination |
40-11 |
thereof. |
40-12 |
     (ii) Coverage issued as a supplement to liability insurance. |
40-13 |
     (iii) Liability insurance, including general liability insurance and automobile liability |
40-14 |
insurance. |
40-15 |
     (iv) Workers’ compensation or similar insurance. |
40-16 |
     (v) Automobile medical payment insurance. |
40-17 |
     (vi) Credit-only insurance. |
40-18 |
     (vii) Coverage for on-site medical clinics. |
40-19 |
     (viii) Other similar insurance coverage, specified in federal regulations issued pursuant to |
40-20 |
Pub. L. No. 104-191, the health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 (“HIPAA”), |
40-21 |
under which benefits for medical care are secondary or incidental to other insurance benefits. |
40-22 |
     (B) The following benefits if they are provided under a separate policy, certificate or |
40-23 |
contract of insurance or are otherwise not an integral part of the plan: |
40-24 |
     (i) Limited scope dental or vision benefits. |
40-25 |
     (ii) Benefits for long-term care, nursing home care, home health care, community-based |
40-26 |
care, or any combination thereof. |
40-27 |
     (iii) Other excepted benefits specified in federal regulations issued pursuant to Pub. L. |
40-28 |
No. 104-191 (“HIPAA”). |
40-29 |
     (C) The following benefits if the benefits are provided under a separate policy, certificate |
40-30 |
or contract of insurance, there is no coordination between the provision of the benefits and any |
40-31 |
exclusion of benefits under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor, and the |
40-32 |
benefits are paid with respect to an event without regard to whether benefits are provided with |
40-33 |
respect to such an event under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor: |
41-34 |
     (i) Coverage only for a specified disease or illness. |
41-35 |
     (ii) Hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance. |
41-36 |
     (D) The following if offered as a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance: |
41-37 |
     (i) Medicare supplement health insurance as defined under section 1882(g)(1) of the |
41-38 |
Social Security Act. |
41-39 |
     (ii) Coverage supplemental to the coverage provided under chapter 55 of title 10, United |
41-40 |
States Code (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS)). |
41-41 |
     (iii) Similar supplemental coverage provided to coverage under a group health plan. |
41-42 |
      |
41-43 |
      |
41-44 |
licensed under the laws of this state to practice medicine, surgery, chiropractic, podiatry, and |
41-45 |
other professional services rendered by a licensed midwife, certified registered nurse |
41-46 |
practitioners, and psychiatric and mental health nurse clinical specialists, and appliances, drugs, |
41-47 |
medicines, supplies, and nursing care necessary in connection with the services, or the expense |
41-48 |
indemnity for the services, appliances, drugs, medicines, supplies, and care, as may be specified |
41-49 |
in any nonprofit medical service plan. Medical service shall not be construed to include hospital |
41-50 |
services; |
41-51 |
      |
41-52 |
pursuant hereto for the purpose of establishing, maintaining, and operating a nonprofit medical |
41-53 |
service plan; |
41-54 |
      |
41-55 |
service is provided to subscribers to the plan by a nonprofit medical service corporation; |
41-56 |
     (20) "Office of the health insurance commissioner" means the agency established under |
41-57 |
section 42-14.5-1 of the General laws. |
41-58 |
      |
41-59 |
utilizing independent knowledge and management of mental health and illnesses. The practice |
41-60 |
includes collaboration with other licensed health care professionals, including, but not limited to, |
41-61 |
psychiatrists, psychologists, physicians, pharmacists, and nurses; |
41-62 |
     (22) “Rescission" means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that has retroactive |
41-63 |
effect for reasons unrelated to timely payment of required premiums or contribution to costs of |
41-64 |
coverage. |
41-65 |
      |
41-66 |
nonprofit medical service corporation for medical service pursuant to a nonprofit medical service |
41-67 |
plan; and |
42-68 |
      |
42-69 |
licensed pursuant to section 5-63.2-10. |
42-70 |
     27-20-45. |
42-71 |
Every individual health insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or |
42-72 |
renewed in this state and every group health insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered, issued |
42-73 |
for delivery or renewed in this state which provides |
42-74 |
|
42-75 |
|
42-76 |
for supplemental policies which only provide coverage for specified diseases and other |
42-77 |
supplemental policies, shall |
42-78 |
|
42-79 |
|
42-80 |
|
42-81 |
|
42-82 |
|
42-83 |
twenty-six (26) years of age. |
42-84 |
|
42-85 |
|
42-86 |
|
42-87 |
|
42-88 |
|
42-89 |
|
42-90 |
      |
42-91 |
|
42-92 |
|
42-93 |
|
42-94 |
|
42-95 |
     (2) With respect to a child who has not attained twenty-six (26) years of age, a nonprofit |
42-96 |
medical service corporation shall not define “dependent” for purposes of eligibility for dependent |
42-97 |
coverage of children other than the terms of a relationship between a child and the plan |
42-98 |
participant, and, in the individual market, primary subscriber. |
42-99 |
     (3) A nonprofit medical service corporation shall not deny or restrict coverage for a child |
42-100 |
who has not attained twenty-six (26) years of age based on the presence or absence of the child’s |
42-101 |
financial dependency upon the participant, primary subscriber or any other person, residency with |
42-102 |
the participant and in the individual market the primary subscriber, or with any other person, |
43-1 |
marital status, student status, employment or any combination of those factors. A nonprofit |
43-2 |
medical service corporation shall not deny or restrict coverage of a child based on eligibility for |
43-3 |
other coverage, except as provided in (d)(1) of this section. |
43-4 |
     (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a health insurance carrier to make |
43-5 |
coverage available for the child of a child receiving dependent coverage, unless the grandparent |
43-6 |
becomes the legal guardian or adoptive parent of that grandchild. |
43-7 |
     (5) The terms of coverage in a health benefit plan offered by a nonprofit medical service |
43-8 |
corporation r providing dependent coverage of children cannot vary based on age except for |
43-9 |
children who are twenty-six (26) years of age or older. |
43-10 |
     (b)(1) This subsection applies to any child: |
43-11 |
     (A) Whose coverage ended, or who was denied coverage, or was not eligible for group |
43-12 |
health insurance coverage or individual health insurance coverage under a health benefit plan |
43-13 |
because, under the terms of coverage, the availability of dependent coverage of a child ended |
43-14 |
before the attainment of twenty-six (26) years of age; and |
43-15 |
     (B) Who becomes eligible, or is required to become eligible, for coverage on the first day |
43-16 |
of the first plan year and, in the individual market, the first day of the first policy year, beginning |
43-17 |
on or after September 23, 2010 by reason of the provisions of this section. |
43-18 |
     (2)(A) If group health insurance coverage or individual health insurance coverage, in |
43-19 |
which a child is eligible to enroll, or is required to become eligible to enroll, in the coverage in |
43-20 |
which the child’s coverage ended or did not begin for the reasons described in subdivision (1) of |
43-21 |
this subsection, and if the health insurance carrier is subject to the requirements of this section the |
43-22 |
health insurance carrier shall give the child an opportunity to enroll that continues for at least |
43-23 |
sixty (60) days, including the written notice of the opportunity to enroll as described subdivision |
43-24 |
(3) of this subsection. |
43-25 |
     (B) The health insurance carrier shall provide the opportunity to enroll, including the |
43-26 |
written notice beginning not later than the first day of the first plan year and in the individual |
43-27 |
market the first day of the first policy year, beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
43-28 |
     (3)(A) The written notice of opportunity to enroll shall include a statement that children |
43-29 |
whose coverage ended, or who were denied coverage, or were not eligible for coverage, because |
43-30 |
the availability of dependent coverage of children ended before the attainment of twenty-six (26) |
43-31 |
years of age are eligible to enroll in the coverage. |
43-32 |
     (B)(i) The notice may be provided to an employee on behalf of the employee’s child and, |
43-33 |
in the individual market, to the primary subscriber on behalf of the primary subscriber’s child. |
44-34 |
     (ii) For group health insurance coverage: |
44-35 |
     (I)The notice may be included with other enrollment materials that the health carrier |
44-36 |
distributes to employees, provided the statement is prominent; and |
44-37 |
     (II) If a notice satisfying the requirements of this subdivision is provided to an employee |
44-38 |
whose child is entitled to an enrollment opportunity under subsection (c) of this section, the |
44-39 |
obligation to provide the notice of enrollment opportunity under subdivision (B) of this |
44-40 |
subdivision (3) with respect to that child is satisfied for both the plan and health insurance carrier. |
44-41 |
     (C) The written notice shall be provided beginning not later than the first day of the first |
44-42 |
plan year and in the individual market the first day of the first policy year, beginning on or after |
44-43 |
September 23, 2010. |
44-44 |
     (4) For an individual who enrolls under this subsection, the coverage shall take effect not |
44-45 |
later than the first day of the first plan year and, in the individual market, the first day of the first |
44-46 |
policy year, beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
44-47 |
     (c)(1) A child enrolling in group health insurance coverage pursuant to subsection (b) of |
44-48 |
this section shall be treated as if the child were a special enrollee, as provided under regulations |
44-49 |
interpreting the HIPAA portability provisions issued pursuant to Section 2714 of the Affordable |
44-50 |
Care Act. |
44-51 |
     (2)(A) The child and, if the child would not be a participant once enrolled, the participant |
44-52 |
through whom the child is otherwise eligible for coverage under the plan, shall be offered all the |
44-53 |
benefit packages available to similarly situated individuals who did not lose coverage by reason |
44-54 |
of cessation of dependent status. |
44-55 |
     (B) For purposes of this subdivision (2), any difference in benefits or cost-sharing |
44-56 |
requirements constitutes a different benefit package. |
44-57 |
     (3) The child shall not be required to pay more for coverage than similarly situated |
44-58 |
individuals who did not lose coverage by reason of cessation of dependent status. |
44-59 |
     (d)(1) For plan years beginning before January 1, 2014, a group health plan providing |
44-60 |
group health insurance coverage that is a grandfathered health plan and makes available |
44-61 |
dependent coverage of children may exclude an adult child who has not attained twenty-six (26) |
44-62 |
years of age from coverage only if the adult child is eligible to enroll in an eligible employer- |
44-63 |
sponsored health benefit plan, as defined in section 5000A(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, |
44-64 |
other than the group health plan of a parent. |
44-65 |
     (2) For plan years, beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a group health plan providing |
44-66 |
group health insurance coverage that is a grandfathered health plan shall comply with the |
44-67 |
requirements of subsections (a) through (e). |
45-68 |
     (3) The provisions of this section apply to policy years in the individual market on and |
45-69 |
after September 23, 2010. |
45-70 |
      |
45-71 |
hospital confinement indemnity; (2) disability income; (3) accident only; (4) long term care; (5) |
45-72 |
Medicare supplement; (6) limited benefit health; (7) specified diseased indemnity; or (8) other |
45-73 |
limited benefit policies. |
45-74 |
     SECTION 7. Chapter 27-20 of the General laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service |
45-75 |
Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections: |
45-76 |
     27-20-6.1. Uniform explanation of benefits and coverage. – (a) A nonprofit medical |
45-77 |
service corporation shall provide a uniform summary of benefits and coverage explanation and |
45-78 |
standardized definitions to policyholders and others required by, and at the times required by the |
45-79 |
federal regulations adopted under section 2715 of the Affordable Care Act. The summary |
45-80 |
required by this section shall be filed with the commissioner for approval under Rhode Island |
45-81 |
general laws section 27-20-6.2. The requirements of this section shall be in addition to the |
45-82 |
requirements of Rhode Island general laws section 27-20-6.2. The commissioner may waive one |
45-83 |
or more of the requirements of the regulations adopted under section 2715 of the Affordable Care |
45-84 |
Act for good cause shown. The summary must contain at least the following information: |
45-85 |
     (1) Uniform definitions of standard insurance and medical terms. |
45-86 |
     (2) A description of coverage and cost sharing for each category of essential benefits and |
45-87 |
other benefits. |
45-88 |
     (3) Exceptions, reductions and limitations in coverage. |
45-89 |
     (4) Renewability and continuation of coverage provisions. |
45-90 |
     (5) A “coverage facts label” that illustrates coverage under common benefits scenarios. |
45-91 |
     (6) A statement of whether the policy, contract or plan provides the minimum coverage |
45-92 |
required of a qualified health plan. |
45-93 |
     (7) A statement that the outline is a summary and that the actual policy language should |
45-94 |
be consulted; and |
45-95 |
     (8) A contact number for the consumer to call with additional questions and the web |
45-96 |
address of where the actual language of the policy, contract or plan can be found. |
45-97 |
     (b) The provisions of this section shall apply to grandfathered health plans. |
45-98 |
     27-20-6.2. Filing of policy forms. – A nonprofit medical service corporation shall file all |
45-99 |
policy forms and rates used by it in the state with the commissioner, including the forms of any |
45-100 |
rider, endorsement, application blank, and other matter generally used or incorporated by |
45-101 |
reference in its policies or contracts of insurance. No such rate shall be used unless first approved |
45-102 |
by the commissioner. No such form shall be used if disapproved by the commissioner under this |
46-1 |
section, or if the commissioner's approval has been withdrawn after notice and an opportunity to |
46-2 |
be heard, or until the expiration of sixty (60) days following the filing of the form. A nonprofit |
46-3 |
medical service corporation shall comply with its filed and approved rates and forms. If the |
46-4 |
commissioner finds from an examination of any form that it is contrary to the public interest, or |
46-5 |
the requirements of this code or duly promulgated regulations, he or she shall forbid its use, and |
46-6 |
shall notify the corporation in writing. Each form shall include a certification by a qualified |
46-7 |
actuary that to the best of the actuary's knowledge and judgment, the entire rate is in compliance |
46-8 |
with applicable laws and that the benefits are reasonable in relation to the premium to be charged. |
46-9 |
     27-20-62. Prohibition on rescission of coverage. – (a)(1) Coverage under a health |
46-10 |
benefit plan subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter with respect to an |
46-11 |
individual, including a group to which the individual belongs or family coverage in which the |
46-12 |
individual is included, shall not be subject to rescission after the individual is covered under the |
46-13 |
plan, unless: |
46-14 |
     (A)The individual or a person seeking coverage on behalf of the individual, performs an |
46-15 |
act, practice or omission that constitutes fraud; or |
46-16 |
     (B)The individual makes an intentional misrepresentation of material fact, as prohibited |
46-17 |
by the terms of the plan or coverage. |
46-18 |
     (2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), a person seeking coverage on behalf of an |
46-19 |
individual does not include an insurance producer or employee or authorized representative of the |
46-20 |
health carrier. |
46-21 |
     (b) At least thirty (30) days advance written notice shall be provided to each plan enrollee |
46-22 |
or, for individual health insurance coverage, primary subscriber, who would be affected by the |
46-23 |
proposed rescission of coverage before coverage under the plan may be rescinded in accordance |
46-24 |
with subsection (a) regardless of, in the case of group health insurance coverage, whether the |
46-25 |
rescission applies to the entire group or only to an individual within the group. |
46-26 |
     (d) This section applies to grandfathered health plans. |
46-27 |
     27-20-63. Annual and lifetime limits. – (a) Annual limits. |
46-28 |
     (1) For plan or policy years beginning prior to January 1, 2014, for any individual, a |
46-29 |
health insurance carrier and health benefit plan subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner |
46-30 |
under this chapter may establish an annual limit on the dollar amount of benefits that are essential |
46-31 |
health benefits provided the restricted annual limit is not less than the following: |
46-32 |
     (A) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2010, but before September |
46-33 |
23, 2011 – seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000); |
47-34 |
     (B) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2011, but before September |
47-35 |
23, 2012 – one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($1,250,000); and |
47-36 |
     (C) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2012, but before January 1, |
47-37 |
2014 – two million dollars ($2,000,000). |
47-38 |
     (2) For plan or policy years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a health insurance |
47-39 |
carrier and health benefit plan shall not establish any annual limit on the dollar amount of |
47-40 |
essential health benefits for any individual, except: |
47-41 |
     (A) A health flexible spending arrangement, as defined in section 106(c)(2)(i) of the |
47-42 |
Internal Revenue Code, a medical savings account, as defined in section 220 of the Internal |
47-43 |
Revenue Code, and a health savings account, as defined in section 223 of the Internal Revenue |
47-44 |
Code are not subject to the requirements of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection. |
47-45 |
     (B) The provisions of this subsection shall not prevent a health insurance carrier from |
47-46 |
placing annual dollar limits for any individual on specific covered benefits that are not essential |
47-47 |
health benefits to the extent that such limits are otherwise permitted under applicable federal law |
47-48 |
or the laws and regulations of this state. |
47-49 |
     (3) In determining whether an individual has received benefits that meet or exceed the |
47-50 |
allowable limits, as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, a health insurance carrier shall |
47-51 |
take into account only essential health benefits as administratively established by the |
47-52 |
commissioner. |
47-53 |
     (b) Lifetime limits. |
47-54 |
     (1) A health insurance carrier and health benefit plan offering group or individual health |
47-55 |
insurance coverage shall not establish a lifetime limit on the dollar value of essential health |
47-56 |
benefits, as designated pursuant to a state determination and in accordance with federal laws and |
47-57 |
regulations, for any individual. |
47-58 |
     (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) above, a health insurance carrier and health benefit |
47-59 |
plan is not prohibited from placing lifetime dollar limits for any individual on specific covered |
47-60 |
benefits that are not essential health benefits, as designated pursuant to a state determination and |
47-61 |
in accordance with federal laws and regulations. |
47-62 |
     (c)(1) Reinstatement of Coverage. Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this |
47-63 |
subsection, this subsection applies to any individual: |
47-64 |
     (A) Whose coverage or benefits under a health plan ended by reason of reaching a |
47-65 |
lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits for the individual; and |
47-66 |
     (B) Who, due to the provisions of this section, becomes eligible, or is required to become |
47-67 |
eligible, for benefits not subject to a lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits under the |
47-68 |
health benefit plan: |
48-1 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, on the first day of the first plan year beginning |
48-2 |
on or after September 23, 2010; or |
48-3 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, on the first day of the first policy year |
48-4 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
48-5 |
     (2) For individual health insurance coverage, an individual is not entitled to reinstatement |
48-6 |
under the health benefit plan under this subsection if the individual reached his or her lifetime |
48-7 |
limit and the contract is not renewed or is otherwise no longer in effect. However, this subsection |
48-8 |
applies to a family member who reached his or her lifetime limit in a family plan and other family |
48-9 |
members remain covered under the plan. |
48-10 |
     (3)(A) If an individual described in subdivision (1) is eligible for benefits or is required to |
48-11 |
become eligible for benefits under the health benefit plan, the health carrier shall provide the |
48-12 |
individual written notice that: |
48-13 |
     (i) The lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits no longer applies; and |
48-14 |
     (ii) The individual, if still covered under the plan, is again eligible to receive benefits |
48-15 |
under the plan. |
48-16 |
     (B) If the individual is not enrolled in the plan, or if an enrolled individual is eligible for, |
48-17 |
but not enrolled in any benefit package under the plan, the health benefit plan shall provide an |
48-18 |
opportunity for the individual to enroll in the plan for a period of at least thirty (30) days. |
48-19 |
     (C) The notices and enrollment opportunity under this subdivision shall be provided |
48-20 |
beginning not later than: |
48-21 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, the first day of the first plan year beginning on |
48-22 |
or after September 23, 2010; or |
48-23 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, the first day of the first policy year |
48-24 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
48-25 |
     (iii) The notices required under this subsection shall be provided: |
48-26 |
     (I) For group health insurance coverage, to an employee on behalf of the employee’s |
48-27 |
dependent; or |
48-28 |
     (II) For individual health insurance coverage, to the primary subscriber on behalf of the |
48-29 |
primary subscriber’s dependent. |
48-30 |
     (D) For group health insurance coverage, the notices may be included with other |
48-31 |
enrollment materials that a health plan distributes to employees, provided the statement is |
48-32 |
prominent. For group health insurance coverage, if a notice satisfying the requirements of this |
48-33 |
subsection is provided to an individual, a health insurance carrier’s requirement to provide the |
48-34 |
notice with respect to that individual is satisfied. |
49-1 |
     (E) For any individual who enrolls in a health plan in accordance with subdivision (2) of |
49-2 |
this subsection, coverage under the plan shall take effect not later than: |
49-3 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, the first day of the first plan year beginning on |
49-4 |
or after September 23, 2010; or |
49-5 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, the first day of the first policy year |
49-6 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
49-7 |
     (d)(1) An individual enrolling in a health plan for group health insurance coverage in |
49-8 |
accordance with subsection (c) above shall be treated as if the individual were a special enrollee, |
49-9 |
as provided under regulations interpreting the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability |
49-10 |
Act (“HIPAA”) portability provisions issued pursuant to Section 2714 of the Affordable Care |
49-11 |
Act. |
49-12 |
     (2) An individual enrolling in accordance with subsection (c) above: |
49-13 |
     (A) shall be offered all of the benefit packages available to similarly situated individuals |
49-14 |
who did not lose coverage under the plan by reason of reaching a lifetime limit on the dollar value |
49-15 |
of all benefits; and |
49-16 |
     (B) shall not be required to pay more for coverage than similarly situated individuals who |
49-17 |
did not lose coverage by reason of reaching a lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits. |
49-18 |
     (3) For purposes of subsection B(1), any difference in benefits or cost-sharing constitutes |
49-19 |
a different benefit package. |
49-20 |
     (e)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, this section applies to any |
49-21 |
health insurance carrier providing coverage under an individual or group health plan. |
49-22 |
     (2)(A) The prohibition on lifetime limits applies to grandfathered health plans. |
49-23 |
     (B) The prohibition and limits on annual limits apply to grandfathered health plans |
49-24 |
providing group health insurance coverage, but the prohibition and limits on annual limits do not |
49-25 |
apply to grandfathered health plans providing individual health insurance coverage. |
49-26 |
     27-20-64. Coverage for preventive items and services. – (a) Every health insurance |
49-27 |
carrier providing coverage under an individual or group health plan shall provide coverage for all |
49-28 |
of the following items and services, and shall not impose any cost-sharing requirements, such as a |
49-29 |
copayment, coinsurance or deductible, with respect to the following items and services: |
49-30 |
     (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, and except as may |
49-31 |
otherwise be provided in federal regulations implementing the Affordable Care Act, evidence- |
49-32 |
based items or services that have in effect a rating of A or B in the recommendations of the |
49-33 |
United States preventive services task force as of September 23, 201 and as may subsequently be |
49-34 |
amended. |
50-1 |
     (2) Immunizations for routine use in children, adolescents and adults that have in effect a |
50-2 |
recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for |
50-3 |
Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved. For purposes of this |
50-4 |
subdivision, a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the |
50-5 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considered in effect after it has been adopted by the |
50-6 |
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a recommendation is considered |
50-7 |
to be for routine use if it is listed on the Immunization Schedules of the Centers for Disease |
50-8 |
Control and Prevention. |
50-9 |
     (3) With respect to infants, children and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care, |
50-10 |
and screenings provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and |
50-11 |
Services Administration. |
50-12 |
     (4) With respect to women, to the extent not described in subdivision (1) of this |
50-13 |
subsection, evidence-informed preventive care and screenings provided for in comprehensive |
50-14 |
coverage guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration. |
50-15 |
     (b)(1) A health insurance carrier is not required to provide coverage for any items or |
50-16 |
services specified in any recommendation or guideline described in subsection (a) of this section |
50-17 |
after the recommendation or guideline is no longer described in subsection (a) of this section. The |
50-18 |
provisions of this subdivision shall not affect the obligation of the health insurance carrier to |
50-19 |
provide notice to a covered person before any material modification of coverage becomes |
50-20 |
effective, in accordance with other requirements of state and federal law, including section |
50-21 |
2715(d)(4) of the Public Health Services Act. |
50-22 |
     (2) A health insurance carrier shall at least annually at the beginning of each new plan |
50-23 |
year or policy year, whichever is applicable, revise the preventive services covered under its |
50-24 |
health benefit plans pursuant to this section consistent with the recommendations of the United |
50-25 |
States Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the |
50-26 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the guidelines with respect to infants, children, |
50-27 |
adolescents and women evidence-based preventive care and screenings by the Health Resources |
50-28 |
and Services Administration in effect at the time. |
50-29 |
     (c)(1) A health insurance carrier may impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to an |
50-30 |
office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is billed separately or is |
50-31 |
tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit. |
50-32 |
     (2) A health insurance carrier shall not impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to |
50-33 |
an office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is not billed |
50-34 |
separately or is not tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit and the |
51-1 |
primary purpose of the office visit is the delivery of the item or service described in subsection |
51-2 |
(a) of this section. |
51-3 |
     (3) A health insurance carrier may impose cost-sharing requirements with respect to an |
51-4 |
office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is not billed separately |
51-5 |
or is not tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit and the primary |
51-6 |
purpose of the office visit is not the delivery of the item or service. |
51-7 |
     (d)(1) Nothing in this section requires a health insurance carrier that has a network of |
51-8 |
providers to providing coverage for items and services described in subsection (a) of this section |
51-9 |
that are delivered by an out-of-network provider. |
51-10 |
     (2) Nothing in subsection (a) of this section precludes a health insurance carrier that has a |
51-11 |
network of providers from imposing cost-sharing requirements for items or services described in |
51-12 |
subsection (a) of this section that are delivered by an out-of-network provider. |
51-13 |
     (e) Nothing prevents a health insurance carrier from using reasonable medical |
51-14 |
management techniques to determine the frequency, method, treatment or setting for an item or |
51-15 |
service described in subsection (a) of this section to the extent not specified in the |
51-16 |
recommendation or guideline. |
51-17 |
     (f) Nothing in this section prohibits a health insurance carrier from providing coverage |
51-18 |
for items and services in addition to those recommended by the United States Preventive Services |
51-19 |
Task Force or the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease |
51-20 |
Control and Prevention, or provided by guidelines supported by the Health Resources and |
51-21 |
Services Administration, or from denying coverage for items and services that are not |
51-22 |
recommended by that task force or that advisory committee, or under those guidelines. A health |
51-23 |
insurance carrier may impose cost-sharing requirements for a treatment not described in |
51-24 |
subsection (a) of this section even if the treatment results from an item or service described in |
51-25 |
subsection (a) of this section. |
51-26 |
     (g) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
51-27 |
     27-20-65. Coverage for individuals participating in approved clinical trials. – (a) As |
51-28 |
used in this section, |
51-29 |
     (1) “Approved clinical trial” means a phase I, phase II, phase III or phase IV clinical trial |
51-30 |
that is conducted in relation to the prevention, detection or treatment of cancer or a life- |
51-31 |
threatening disease or condition and is described in any of the following: |
51-32 |
     (A) The study or investigation is approved or funded, which may include funding through |
51-33 |
in-kind contributions, by one or more of the following: |
52-34 |
     (i) The National Institutes of Health; |
52-35 |
     (ii) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; |
52-36 |
     (iii) The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality; |
52-37 |
     (iv) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; |
52-38 |
     (v) A cooperative group or center of any of the entities described in items (i) through (iv) |
52-39 |
or the Department of Defense or the Department of Veteran Affairs; |
52-40 |
     (vi) A qualified non-governmental research entity identified in the guidelines issued by |
52-41 |
the National Institutes of Health for center support grants; or |
52-42 |
     (vii) A study or investigation conducted by the Department of Veteran Affairs, the |
52-43 |
Department of Defense, or the Department of Energy, if the study or investigation has been |
52-44 |
reviewed and approved through a system of peer review that the Secretary of U.S. Department of |
52-45 |
Health and Human Services determines: |
52-46 |
     (I) Is comparable to the system of peer review of studies and investigations used by the |
52-47 |
National Institutes of Health; and |
52-48 |
     (II) Assures unbiased review of the highest scientific standards by qualified individuals |
52-49 |
who have no interest in the outcome of the review. |
52-50 |
     (B) The study or investigation is conducted under an investigational new drug application |
52-51 |
reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration; or |
52-52 |
     (C) The study or investigation is a drug trial that is exempt from having such an |
52-53 |
investigational new drug application. |
52-54 |
     (2) “Participant” has the meaning stated in section 3(7) of ERISA. |
52-55 |
     (3) “Participating provider” means a health care provider that, under a contract with the |
52-56 |
health carrier or with its contractor or subcontractor, has agreed to provide health care services to |
52-57 |
covered persons with an expectation of receiving payment, other than coinsurance, copayments or |
52-58 |
deductibles, directly or indirectly from the health carrier. |
52-59 |
     (4) “Qualified individual” means a participant or beneficiary who meets the following |
52-60 |
conditions: |
52-61 |
     (A) The individual is eligible to participate in an approved clinical trial according to the |
52-62 |
trial protocol with respect to the treatment of cancer or other life-threatening disease or condition; |
52-63 |
and |
52-64 |
     (B)(i) The referring health care professional is a participating provider and has concluded |
52-65 |
that the individual’s participation in such trial would be appropriate based on the individual |
52-66 |
meeting the conditions described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3); or |
52-67 |
     (ii) The participant or beneficiary provides medical and scientific information |
52-68 |
establishing the individual’s participation in such trial would be appropriate based on the |
53-1 |
individual meeting the conditions described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3). |
53-2 |
     (5) “Life-threatening condition” means any disease or condition from which the |
53-3 |
likelihood of death is probable unless the course of the disease or condition is interrupted. |
53-4 |
     (b)(1) If a health insurance carrier offering group or individual health insurance coverage |
53-5 |
provides coverage to a qualified individual, the health carrier: |
53-6 |
     (A) Shall not deny the individual participation in an approved clinical trial. |
53-7 |
      (B) Subject to subdivision (3) of this subsection, shall not deny or limit or impose |
53-8 |
additional conditions on the coverage of routine patient costs for items and services furnished in |
53-9 |
connection with participation in the clinical approved trial; and |
53-10 |
     (C) Shall not discriminate against the individual on the basis of the individual’s |
53-11 |
participation in the clinical trial. |
53-12 |
     (2)(A) Subject to subdivision (B) of this subdivision (2), routine patient costs include all |
53-13 |
items and services consistent with the coverage typically covered for a qualified individual who is |
53-14 |
not enrolled in an approved clinical trial. |
53-15 |
     (B) For purposes of subdivision (B) of this subdivision (2), routine patient costs do not |
53-16 |
include: |
53-17 |
     (i) The investigational item, device or service itself; |
53-18 |
     (ii) Items and services that are provided solely to satisfy data collection and analysis |
53-19 |
needs and that are not used in the direct clinical management of the patient; or |
53-20 |
     (iii) A service that is clearly inconsistent with widely accepted and established standards |
53-21 |
of care for a particular diagnosis. |
53-22 |
     (3) If one or more participating providers is participating in a clinical trial, nothing in |
53-23 |
subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be construed as preventing a health carrier from requiring |
53-24 |
that a qualified individual participate in the trial through such a participating provider if the |
53-25 |
provider will accept the individual as a participant in the trial. |
53-26 |
     (4) Notwithstanding subdivision (3) of this subsection, subdivision (1) of this subsection |
53-27 |
shall apply to a qualified individual participating in an approved clinical trial that is conducted |
53-28 |
outside this state. |
53-29 |
     (5) This section shall not be construed to require a nonprofit medical service corporation |
53-30 |
offering group or individual health insurance coverage to provide benefits for routine patient care |
53-31 |
services provided outside of the coverage’s health care provider network unless out-of-network |
53-32 |
benefits are otherwise provided under the coverage. |
53-33 |
     (6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a health insurance carrier’s |
53-34 |
coverage with respect to clinical trials. |
54-1 |
     (c) The requirements of this section shall be in addition to the requirements of Rhode |
54-2 |
Island general laws sections 27-18-36 through 27-18-36.3. |
54-3 |
     (d) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
54-4 |
     (e) This section shall be effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. |
54-5 |
     27-20-66. Medical loss ratio rebates. – (a) A nonprofit medical service corporation |
54-6 |
offering group or individual health insurance coverage, including a grandfathered health plan, |
54-7 |
shall pay medical loss ratio rebates as provided for in Section 2718(b)(1)(A) of the Affordable |
54-8 |
Care Act, in the manner and as required by federal laws and regulations. |
54-9 |
     (b) Nonprofit medical service corporations required to report medical loss ratio and |
54-10 |
rebate calculations and any other medical loss ratio and rebate information to the U.S. |
54-11 |
Department of Health and Human Services shall concurrently file such information with the |
54-12 |
commissioner. |
54-13 |
     27-20-67. Emergency services -- (a) As used in this section: |
54-14 |
     (1) “Emergency medical condition” means a medical condition manifesting itself by |
54-15 |
acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) so that a prudent layperson, who |
54-16 |
possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of |
54-17 |
immediate medical attention to result in a condition: (i) Placing the health of the individual, or |
54-18 |
with respect to a pregnant woman her unborn child, in serious jeopardy; (ii) Constituting a serious |
54-19 |
impairment to bodily functions; or (iii) Constituting a serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or |
54-20 |
part |
54-21 |
     (2) “Emergency services” means, with respect to an emergency medical condition: |
54-22 |
     (A) A medical screening examination (as required under section 1867 of the Social |
54-23 |
Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395dd) that is within the capability of the emergency department of a |
54-24 |
hospital, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department to evaluate |
54-25 |
such emergency medical condition, and |
54-26 |
     (B) Such further medical examination and treatment, to the extent they are within the |
54-27 |
capabilities of the staff and facilities available at the hospital, as are required under section 1867 |
54-28 |
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395dd) to stabilize the patient. |
54-29 |
     (3) “Stabilize”, with respect to an emergency medical condition has the meaning given in |
54-30 |
section 1867(e)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395dd(e)(3)). |
54-31 |
     (b) If a nonprofit medical service corporation offering health insurance coverage provides |
54-32 |
any benefits with respect to services in an emergency department of a hospital, it must cover |
54-33 |
emergency services consistent with the rules of this section. |
55-34 |
     (c) A nonprofit medical service corporation shall provide coverage for emergency |
55-35 |
services in the following manner: |
55-36 |
     (1) Without the need for any prior authorization determination, even if the emergency |
55-37 |
services are provided on an out-of-network basis; |
55-38 |
     (2) Without regard to whether the health care provider furnishing the emergency services |
55-39 |
is a participating network provider with respect to the services; |
55-40 |
     (3) If the emergency services are provided out of network, without imposing any |
55-41 |
administrative requirement or limitation on coverage that is more restrictive than the requirements |
55-42 |
or limitations that apply to emergency services received from in-network providers; |
55-43 |
     (4) If the emergency services are provided out of network, by complying with the cost- |
55-44 |
sharing requirements of subsection (d) of this section; and |
55-45 |
     (5) Without regard to any other term or condition of the coverage, other than: |
55-46 |
     (A) The exclusion of or coordination of benefits; |
55-47 |
     (B) An affiliation or waiting period permitted under part 7 of ERISA, part A of title |
55-48 |
XXVII of the PHS Act, or chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code; or |
55-49 |
     (C) Applicable cost-sharing. |
55-50 |
     (d)(1) Any cost-sharing requirement expressed as a copayment amount or coinsurance |
55-51 |
rate imposed with respect to a participant or beneficiary for out-of-network emergency services |
55-52 |
cannot exceed the cost-sharing requirement imposed with respect to a participant or beneficiary if |
55-53 |
the services were provided in-network. However, a participant or beneficiary may be required to |
55-54 |
pay, in addition to the in-network cost sharing, the excess of the amount the out-of-network |
55-55 |
provider charges over the amount the plan or health insurance carrier is required to pay under |
55-56 |
subdivision (1) of this subsection. A group health plan or health insurance carrier complies with |
55-57 |
the requirements of this subsection if it provides benefits with respect to an emergency service in |
55-58 |
an amount equal to the greatest of the three amounts specified in subdivisions (A), (B), and (C) of |
55-59 |
this subdivision (1)(which are adjusted for in-network cost-sharing requirements). |
55-60 |
     (A) The amount negotiated with in-network providers for the emergency service |
55-61 |
furnished, excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the |
55-62 |
participant or beneficiary. If there is more than one amount negotiated with in-network providers |
55-63 |
for the emergency service, the amount described under this subdivision (A) is the median of these |
55-64 |
amounts, excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the |
55-65 |
participant or beneficiary. In determining the median described in the preceding sentence, the |
55-66 |
amount negotiated with each in-network provider is treated as a separate amount (even if the |
55-67 |
same amount is paid to more than one provider). If there is no per-service amount negotiated with |
55-68 |
in-network providers (such as under a capitation or other similar payment arrangement), the |
56-1 |
amount under this subdivision (A) is disregarded. |
56-2 |
     (B) The amount for the emergency service shall be calculated using the same method the |
56-3 |
plan generally uses to determine payments for out-of-network services (such as the usual, |
56-4 |
customary, and reasonable amount), excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance |
56-5 |
imposed with respect to the participant or beneficiary. The amount in this subdivision (B) is |
56-6 |
determined without reduction for out-of-network cost-sharing that generally applies under the |
56-7 |
plan or health insurance coverage with respect to out-of-network services. |
56-8 |
     (C) The amount that would be paid under Medicare (part A or part B of title XVIII of the |
56-9 |
Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for the emergency service, excluding any in-network |
56-10 |
copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the participant or beneficiary. |
56-11 |
     (2) Any cost-sharing requirement other than a copayment or coinsurance requirement |
56-12 |
(such as a deductible or out-of-pocket maximum) may be imposed with respect to emergency |
56-13 |
services provided out of network if the cost-sharing requirement generally applies to out-of- |
56-14 |
network benefits. A deductible may be imposed with respect to out-of-network emergency |
56-15 |
services only as part of a deductible that generally applies to out-of-network benefits. If an out-of- |
56-16 |
pocket maximum generally applies to out-of-network benefits, that out-of-pocket maximum must |
56-17 |
apply to out-of-network emergency services. |
56-18 |
     (e) The provisions of this section apply for plan years beginning on or after September |
56-19 |
23, 2010. |
56-20 |
     (f) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
56-21 |
     27-20-68. Internal and external appeal of adverse benefit determinations. -- (a) The |
56-22 |
commissioner shall adopt regulations to implement standards and procedures with respect to |
56-23 |
internal claims and appeals of adverse benefit determinations, and with respect to external appeals |
56-24 |
of adverse benefit determinations. |
56-25 |
     (b) The regulations adopted by the commissioner shall apply to those adverse benefit |
56-26 |
determinations within the jurisdiction of the commissioner. |
56-27 |
     SECTION 8. Sections 27-41-2 and 27-41-61 of the General laws in Chapter 27-41 |
56-28 |
entitled "Health Maintenance Organizations” are hereby amended to read as follows: |
56-29 |
     27-41-2. Definitions. – As used in this chapter: |
56-30 |
     (a) Adverse benefit determination" means any of the following: a denial, reduction, or |
56-31 |
termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, |
56-32 |
including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is |
56-33 |
based on a determination of a participant's or beneficiary's eligibility to participate in a plan or to |
56-34 |
receive coverage under a plan, and including, with respect to group health plans, a denial, |
57-1 |
reduction, or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a |
57-2 |
benefit resulting from the application of any utilization review, as well as a failure to cover an |
57-3 |
item or service for which benefits are otherwise provided because it is determined to be |
57-4 |
experimental or investigational or not medically necessary or appropriate. The term also includes |
57-5 |
a rescission of coverage determination. |
57-6 |
     (b) "Affordable Care Act" means the Patient Protection and Affordable Care act of 2010, |
57-7 |
as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. |
57-8 |
     (c) “Commissioner” or “health insurance commissioner” means that individual appointed |
57-9 |
pursuant to section 42-14.5-1 of the general laws. |
57-10 |
      |
57-11 |
organization contracts with enrollees and enrolled groups to provide or make available to an |
57-12 |
enrolled participant. |
57-13 |
      |
57-14 |
duly appointed agents. |
57-15 |
      |
57-16 |
under a contract of service or apprenticeship with any employer. It shall not include a person who |
57-17 |
has been employed for less than thirty (30) days by his or her employer, nor shall it include a |
57-18 |
person who works less than an average of thirty (30) hours per week. For the purposes of this |
57-19 |
chapter, the term "employee" means a person employed by an "employer" as defined in |
57-20 |
subsection (d) of this section. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter the terms "employee" |
57-21 |
and "employer" are to be defined according to the rules and regulations of the department of labor |
57-22 |
and training. |
57-23 |
      |
57-24 |
corporation, whether foreign or domestic, or the legal representative, trustee in bankruptcy, |
57-25 |
receiver, or trustee of a receiver, or the legal representative of a deceased person, including the |
57-26 |
state of Rhode Island and each city and town in the state, which has in its employ one or more |
57-27 |
individuals during any calendar year. For the purposes of this section, the term "employer" refers |
57-28 |
only to an employer with persons employed within the state of Rhode Island. |
57-29 |
      |
57-30 |
organization. |
57-31 |
      |
57-32 |
enrollee setting out the coverage to which the enrollee is entitled. |
57-33 |
     (j) “Grandfathered health plan” means any group health plan or health insurance coverage |
57-34 |
subject to 42 USC section 18011. |
58-1 |
     (k) “Group health insurance coverage” means, in connection with a group health plan, |
58-2 |
health insurance coverage offered in connection with such plan. |
58-3 |
     (l) “Group health plan” means an employee welfare benefit plan as defined in 29 USC |
58-4 |
section 1002(1), to the extent that the plan provides health benefits to employees or their |
58-5 |
dependents directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise. |
58-6 |
     (m) “Health benefits” or “covered benefits” means medical, surgical, hospital, |
58-7 |
prescription drug, and such other benefits, whether self-funded, or delivered through the purchase |
58-8 |
of insurance or otherwise. |
58-9 |
     (n) “Health care facility” means an institution providing health care services or a health |
58-10 |
care setting, including but not limited to hospitals and other licensed inpatient centers, ambulatory |
58-11 |
surgical or treatment centers, skilled nursing centers, residential treatment centers, diagnostic, |
58-12 |
laboratory and imaging centers, and rehabilitation and other therapeutic health settings. |
58-13 |
     (o) "Health care professional" means a physician or other health care practitioner |
58-14 |
licensed, accredited or certified to perform specified health care services consistent with state |
58-15 |
law. |
58-16 |
     (p) "Health care provider" or "provider" means a health care professional or a health care |
58-17 |
facility. |
58-18 |
      |
58-19 |
individual of medical, podiatric, or dental care, or hospitalization, or incident to the furnishing of |
58-20 |
that care or hospitalization, and the furnishing to any person of any and all other services for the |
58-21 |
purpose of preventing, alleviating, curing, or healing human illness, injury, or physical disability. |
58-22 |
     (r) “Health insurance carrier” means a person, firm, corporation or other entity subject to |
58-23 |
the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter, and includes a health maintenance |
58-24 |
organization. Such term does not include a group health plan. |
58-25 |
      |
58-26 |
which: |
58-27 |
     (1) Provides or makes available to enrolled participants health care services, including at |
58-28 |
least the following basic health care services: usual physician services, hospitalization, laboratory, |
58-29 |
x-ray, emergency, and preventive services, and out of area coverage, and the services of licensed |
58-30 |
midwives; |
58-31 |
     (2) Is compensated, except for copayments, for the provision of the basic health care |
58-32 |
services listed in subdivision (1) of this subsection to enrolled participants on a predetermined |
58-33 |
periodic rate basis; and |
59-34 |
     (3) Provides physicians' services primarily: |
59-35 |
     (A) Directly through physicians who are either employees or partners of the organization; |
59-36 |
or |
59-37 |
     (B) Through arrangements with individual physicians or one or more groups of |
59-38 |
physicians organized on a group practice or individual practice basis; |
59-39 |
     (ii) "Health maintenance organization" does not include prepaid plans offered by entities |
59-40 |
regulated under chapter 1, 2, 19, or 20 of this title that do not meet the criteria above and do not |
59-41 |
purport to be health maintenance organizations; |
59-42 |
     (4) Provides the services of licensed midwives primarily: |
59-43 |
     (i) Directly through licensed midwives who are either employees or partners of the |
59-44 |
organization; or |
59-45 |
     (ii) Through arrangements with individual licensed midwives or one or more groups of |
59-46 |
licensed midwives organized on a group practice or individual practice basis. |
59-47 |
      |
59-48 |
      |
59-49 |
under section 27-41-3. |
59-50 |
      |
59-51 |
assets over total liabilities. |
59-52 |
     (w) "Office of the health insurance commissioner" means the agency established under |
59-53 |
section 42-14.5-1 of the general laws. |
59-54 |
      |
59-55 |
      |
59-56 |
governing body. |
59-57 |
      |
59-58 |
licensed or authorized in this state to furnish health care services. |
59-59 |
      |
59-60 |
     (bb) “Rescission" means a cancellation or discontinuance of coverage that has retroactive |
59-61 |
effect for reasons unrelated to timely payment of required premiums or contribution to costs of |
59-62 |
coverage. |
59-63 |
      |
59-64 |
including risk based capital instructions adopted by the National Association of Insurance |
59-65 |
Commissioners ("NAIC"), as these risk based capital instructions are amended by the NAIC in |
59-66 |
accordance with the procedures adopted by the NAIC. |
59-67 |
      |
60-68 |
     (1) A health maintenance organization's statutory capital and surplus (i.e. net worth) as |
60-69 |
determined in accordance with the statutory accounting applicable to the annual financial |
60-70 |
statements required to be filed under section 27-41-9; and |
60-71 |
     (2) Any other items, if any, that the RBC instructions provide. |
60-72 |
      |
60-73 |
by a health maintenance organization, but that are not guaranteed, insured, or assumed by a |
60-74 |
person or organization other than the health maintenance organization. Expenditures to a provider |
60-75 |
that agrees not to bill enrollees under any circumstances are excluded from this definition. |
60-76 |
     27-41-61. |
60-77 |
(a)(1) Every individual health insurance contract, plan, or policy delivered, issued for delivery, or |
60-78 |
renewed in this state which provides |
60-79 |
|
60-80 |
|
60-81 |
policies which only provide coverage for specified diseases and other supplemental policies, shall |
60-82 |
|
60-83 |
|
60-84 |
|
60-85 |
|
60-86 |
|
60-87 |
|
60-88 |
|
60-89 |
|
60-90 |
|
60-91 |
|
60-92 |
|
60-93 |
|
60-94 |
      |
60-95 |
|
60-96 |
|
60-97 |
|
60-98 |
|
60-99 |
      (2) With respect to a child who has not attained twenty-six (26) years of age, a health |
60-100 |
maintenance organization shall not define “dependent” for purposes of eligibility for dependent |
60-101 |
coverage of children other than the terms of a relationship between a child and the plan |
60-102 |
participant, and, in the individual market, primary subscriber. |
61-1 |
     (3) A health maintenance organization shall not deny or restrict coverage for a child who |
61-2 |
has not attained twenty-six (26) years of age based on the presence or absence of the child’s |
61-3 |
financial dependency upon the participant, primary subscriber or any other person, residency with |
61-4 |
the participant and in the individual market the primary subscriber, or with any other person, |
61-5 |
marital status, student status, employment or any combination of those factors. A health carrier |
61-6 |
shall not deny or restrict coverage of a child based on eligibility for other coverage, except as |
61-7 |
provided in (d)(1) of this section. |
61-8 |
     (4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a health maintenance |
61-9 |
organization to make coverage available for the child of a child receiving dependent coverage, |
61-10 |
unless the grandparent becomes the legal guardian or adoptive parent of that grandchild. |
61-11 |
     (5) The terms of coverage in a health benefit plan offered by a health maintenance |
61-12 |
organization providing dependent coverage of children cannot vary based on age except for |
61-13 |
children who are twenty-six (26) years of age or older. |
61-14 |
     (b)(1) This subsection applies to any child: |
61-15 |
     (A) Whose coverage ended, or who was denied coverage, or was not eligible for group |
61-16 |
health insurance coverage or individual health insurance coverage under a health benefit plan |
61-17 |
because, under the terms of coverage, the availability of dependent coverage of a child ended |
61-18 |
before the attainment of twenty-six (26) years of age; and |
61-19 |
     (B) Who becomes eligible, or is required to become eligible, for coverage on the first day |
61-20 |
of the first plan year and, in the individual market, the first day of the first policy year, beginning |
61-21 |
on or after September 23, 2010 by reason of the provisions of this section. |
61-22 |
     (2)(A) If group health insurance coverage or individual health insurance coverage, in |
61-23 |
which a child is eligible to enroll, or is required to become eligible to enroll, in the coverage in |
61-24 |
which the child’s coverage ended or did not begin for the reasons described in subdivision (1) of |
61-25 |
this subsection, and if the health insurance carrier is subject to the requirements of this section the |
61-26 |
health insurance carrier shall give the child an opportunity to enroll that continues for at least 60 |
61-27 |
days, including the written notice of the opportunity to enroll as described subdivision (3) of this |
61-28 |
subsection. |
61-29 |
     (B) The health insurance carrier shall provide the opportunity to enroll, including the |
61-30 |
written notice beginning not later than the first day of the first plan year and in the individual |
61-31 |
market the first day of the first policy year, beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
61-32 |
     (3)(A) The written notice of opportunity to enroll shall include a statement that children |
61-33 |
whose coverage ended, or who were denied coverage, or were not eligible for coverage, because |
61-34 |
the availability of dependent coverage of children ended before the attainment of twenty-six (26) |
62-1 |
years of age are eligible to enroll in the coverage. |
62-2 |
     (B)(i) The notice may be provided to an employee on behalf of the employee’s child and, |
62-3 |
in the individual market, to the primary subscriber on behalf of the primary subscriber’s child. |
62-4 |
     (ii) For group health insurance coverage: |
62-5 |
     (I) The notice may be included with other enrollment materials that the health carrier |
62-6 |
distributes to employees, provided the statement is prominent; and |
62-7 |
     (II) If a notice satisfying the requirements of this subdivision is provided to an employee |
62-8 |
whose child is entitled to an enrollment opportunity under subsection (c) of this section, the |
62-9 |
obligation to provide the notice of enrollment opportunity under subdivision (B) of this |
62-10 |
subdivision (3) with respect to that child is satisfied for both the plan and health insurance carrier. |
62-11 |
     (C) The written notice shall be provided beginning not later than the first day of the first |
62-12 |
plan year and in the individual market the first day of the first policy year, beginning on or after |
62-13 |
September 23, 2010. |
62-14 |
     (4) For an individual who enrolls under this subsection, the coverage shall take effect not |
62-15 |
later than the first day of the first plan year and, in the individual market, the first day of the first |
62-16 |
policy year, beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
62-17 |
     (c)(1) A child enrolling in group health insurance coverage pursuant to subsection (b) of |
62-18 |
this section shall be treated as if the child were a special enrollee, as provided under regulations |
62-19 |
interpreting the HIPAA portability provisions issued pursuant to section 2714 of the Affordable |
62-20 |
Care. |
62-21 |
     (2)(A) The child and, if the child would not be a participant once enrolled, the participant |
62-22 |
through whom the child is otherwise eligible for coverage under the plan, shall be offered all the |
62-23 |
benefit packages available to similarly situated individuals who did not lose coverage by reason |
62-24 |
of cessation of dependent status. |
62-25 |
     (B) For purposes of this subdivision (2), any difference in benefits or cost-sharing |
62-26 |
requirements constitutes a different benefit package. |
62-27 |
     (3) The child shall not be required to pay more for coverage than similarly situated |
62-28 |
individuals who did not lose coverage by reason of cessation of dependent status. |
62-29 |
     (d)(1) For plan years beginning before January 1, 2014, a group health plan providing |
62-30 |
group health insurance coverage that is a grandfathered health plan and makes available |
62-31 |
dependent coverage of children may exclude an adult child who has not attained twenty-six (26) |
62-32 |
years of age from coverage only if the adult child is eligible to enroll in an eligible employer- |
62-33 |
sponsored health benefit plan, as defined in section 5000A(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, |
62-34 |
other than the group health plan of a parent. |
63-1 |
     (2) For plan years, beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a group health plan providing |
63-2 |
group health insurance coverage that is a grandfathered health plan shall comply with the |
63-3 |
requirements of subsections (a) through (e). |
63-4 |
     (3) The provisions of this section apply to policy years in the individual market on and |
63-5 |
after September 23, 2010. |
63-6 |
      |
63-7 |
hospital confinement indemnity; (2) disability income; (3) accident only; (4) long term care; (5) |
63-8 |
Medicare supplement; (6) limited benefit health; (7) specified diseased indemnity; or (8) other |
63-9 |
limited benefit policies. |
63-10 |
     SECTION 9. Chapter 27-41 of the General laws entitled "Health Maintenance |
63-11 |
Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following sections: |
63-12 |
     27-41-29.1. Uniform explanation of benefits and coverage. -- (a) A health maintenance |
63-13 |
organization shall provide a uniform summary of benefits and coverage explanation and |
63-14 |
standardized definitions to policyholders and others required by, and at the times required by, the |
63-15 |
federal regulations adopted under section 2715 of the Affordable Care Act. A summary required |
63-16 |
by this section shall be filed with the commissioner for approval under Rhode Island general laws |
63-17 |
section 27-41-29.2. The requirements of this section shall be in addition to any other requirements |
63-18 |
imposed as conditions of approval under Rhode Island general laws sections 27-41-29.2. The |
63-19 |
commissioner may waive one or more of the requirements of the regulations adopted under |
63-20 |
section 2715 of the Affordable Care Act for good cause shown. The summary must contain at |
63-21 |
least the following information: |
63-22 |
     (1) Uniform definitions of insurance and medical terms. |
63-23 |
     (2) A description of coverage and cost-sharing for each category of essential benefits and |
63-24 |
other benefits. |
63-25 |
     (3) Exceptions, reductions and limitations in coverage. |
63-26 |
     (4) Renewability and continuation of coverage provisions. |
63-27 |
     (5) A “coverage facts label” that illustrates coverage under common benefits scenarios. |
63-28 |
     (6) A statement of whether the policy, contract or plan provides the minimum coverage |
63-29 |
required of a qualified health plan. |
63-30 |
     (7) A statement that the outline is a summary and that the actual policy language should |
63-31 |
be consulted; and |
63-32 |
     (8) A contact number for the consumer to call with additional questions and the web |
63-33 |
address of where the actual language of the policy, contract or plan can be found. |
64-34 |
     (b) The provisions of this section shall apply to grandfathered health plans. |
64-35 |
     27-41-29.2. Filing of policy forms. -- A health maintenance organization shall file all |
64-36 |
policy forms and rates used by it in the state with the commissioner, including the forms of any |
64-37 |
rider, endorsement, application blank, and other matter generally used or incorporated by |
64-38 |
reference in its policies or contracts of insurance. No such rate shall be used unless first approved |
64-39 |
by the commissioner. No such form shall be used if disapproved by the commissioner under this |
64-40 |
section, or if the commissioner's approval has been withdrawn after notice and an opportunity to |
64-41 |
be heard, or until the expiration of sixty (60) days following the filing of the form. A health |
64-42 |
maintenance organization shall comply with its filed and approved rates and forms. If the |
64-43 |
commissioner finds from an examination of any form that it is contrary to the public interest or |
64-44 |
the requirements of this code or duly promulgated regulations, he or she shall forbid its use, and |
64-45 |
shall notify the corporation in writing. Each form shall include a certification by a qualified |
64-46 |
actuary that to the best of the actuary's knowledge and judgment, the entire rate is in compliance |
64-47 |
with applicable laws and that the benefits are reasonable in relation to the premium to be charged. |
64-48 |
     27-41-75. Prohibition on rescission of coverage. -- (a)(1) Coverage under a health plan |
64-49 |
subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter with respect to an individual, |
64-50 |
including a group to which the individual belongs or family coverage in which the individual is |
64-51 |
included, shall not be rescinded after the individual is covered under the plan, unless: |
64-52 |
     (A) The individual or a person seeking coverage on behalf of the individual, performs an |
64-53 |
act, practice or omission that constitutes fraud; or |
64-54 |
     (B) The individual makes an intentional misrepresentation of material fact, as prohibited |
64-55 |
by the terms of the plan or coverage. |
64-56 |
     (2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), a person seeking coverage on behalf of an |
64-57 |
individual does not include an insurance producer or employee or authorized representative of the |
64-58 |
health maintenance organization. |
64-59 |
     (b) At least thirty (30) days advance written notice shall be provided to each plan enrollee |
64-60 |
or, for individual health insurance coverage, primary subscriber, who would be affected by the |
64-61 |
proposed rescission of coverage before coverage under the plan may be rescinded in accordance |
64-62 |
with subsection (a) regardless of, in the case of group health insurance coverage, whether the |
64-63 |
rescission applies to the entire group or only to an individual within the group. |
64-64 |
     (c) For purposes of this section, “to rescind” means to cancel or to discontinue coverage |
64-65 |
with retroactive effect for reasons unrelated to timely payment of required premiums or |
64-66 |
contribution to costs of coverage. |
64-67 |
     (d) This section applies to grandfathered health plans. |
65-68 |
     27-41-76. Prohibition on annual and lifetime limits. -- (a) Annual limits. |
65-69 |
     (1) For plan or policy years beginning prior to January 1, 2014, for any individual, a |
65-70 |
health maintenance organization subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner under this chapter |
65-71 |
may establish an annual limit on the dollar amount of benefits that are essential health benefits |
65-72 |
provided the restricted annual limit is not less than the following: |
65-73 |
     (A) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2010, but before September |
65-74 |
23, 2011 – seven hundred fifty thousand dollars ($750,000); |
65-75 |
     (B) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2011, but before September |
65-76 |
23, 2012 – one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($1,250,000); and |
65-77 |
     (C) For a plan or policy year beginning after September 22, 2012, but before January 1, |
65-78 |
2014 – two million dollars ($2,000,000). |
65-79 |
     (2 ) For plan or policy years beginning on or after January 1, 2014, a health maintenance |
65-80 |
organization shall not establish any annual limit on the dollar amount of essential health benefits |
65-81 |
for any individual, except: |
65-82 |
     (A) A health flexible spending arrangement, as defined in section 106(c)(2)(i) of the |
65-83 |
Internal Revenue Code, a medical savings account, as defined in section 220 of the Internal |
65-84 |
Revenue Code, and a health savings account, as defined in section 223 of the Internal Revenue |
65-85 |
Code are not subject to the requirements of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection . |
65-86 |
     (B) The provisions of this subsection shall not prevent a health maintenance organization |
65-87 |
from placing annual dollar limits for any individual on specific covered benefits that are not |
65-88 |
essential health benefits to the extent that such limits are otherwise permitted under applicable |
65-89 |
federal law or the laws and regulations of this state. |
65-90 |
     (3) In determining whether an individual has received benefits that meet or exceed the |
65-91 |
allowable limits, as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection, a health maintenance |
65-92 |
organization shall take into account only essential health benefits as administratively established |
65-93 |
by the commissioner. |
65-94 |
     (b) Lifetime limits. |
65-95 |
     (1) A health insurance carrier and health benefit plan offering group or individual health |
65-96 |
insurance coverage shall not establish a lifetime limit on the dollar value of essential health |
65-97 |
benefits, as designated pursuant to a state determination and in accordance with federal laws and |
65-98 |
regulations, for any individual. |
65-99 |
     (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) above, a health insurance carrier and health benefit |
65-100 |
plan is not prohibited from placing lifetime dollar limits for any individual on specific covered |
65-101 |
benefits that are not essential health benefits, as designated pursuant to a state determination and |
65-102 |
in accordance with federal laws and regulations. |
66-1 |
     (c)(1) Reinstatement of Coverage. Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this |
66-2 |
subsection, this subsection applies to any individual: |
66-3 |
     (A) Whose coverage or benefits under a health plan ended by reason of reaching a |
66-4 |
lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits for the individual; and |
66-5 |
     (B) Who, due to the provisions of this section, becomes eligible, or is required to become |
66-6 |
eligible, for benefits not subject to a lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits under the |
66-7 |
health benefit plan: |
66-8 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, on the first day of the first plan year beginning |
66-9 |
on or after September 23, 2010; or |
66-10 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, on the first day of the first policy year |
66-11 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
66-12 |
     (2) For individual health insurance coverage, an individual is not entitled to reinstatement |
66-13 |
under the health benefit plan under this subsection if the individual reached his or her lifetime |
66-14 |
limit and the contract is not renewed or is otherwise no longer in effect. However, this subsection |
66-15 |
applies to a family member who reached his or her lifetime limit in a family plan and other family |
66-16 |
members remain covered under the plan. |
66-17 |
     (3)(A) If an individual described in subdivision (1) is eligible for benefits or is required |
66-18 |
to become eligible for benefits under the health benefit plan, the health maintenance organization |
66-19 |
shall provide the individual written notice that: |
66-20 |
     (i) The lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits no longer applies; and |
66-21 |
     (ii) The individual, if still covered under the plan, is again eligible to receive benefits |
66-22 |
under the plan. |
66-23 |
     (B) If the individual is not enrolled in the plan, or if an enrolled individual is eligible for, |
66-24 |
but not enrolled in any benefit package under the plan, the health maintenance organization shall |
66-25 |
provide an opportunity for the individual to enroll in the plan for a period of at least thirty (30) |
66-26 |
days. |
66-27 |
     (C) The notices and enrollment opportunity under this subdivision shall be provided |
66-28 |
beginning not later than: |
66-29 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, the first day of the first plan year beginning on |
66-30 |
or after September 23, 2010; or |
66-31 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, the first day of the first policy year |
66-32 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
66-33 |
     (iii) The notices required under this subsection shall be provided: |
67-34 |
     (I) For group health insurance coverage, to an employee on behalf of the employee’s |
67-35 |
dependent; or |
67-36 |
     (II) For individual health insurance coverage, to the primary subscriber on behalf of the |
67-37 |
primary subscriber’s dependent. |
67-38 |
     (D) For group health insurance coverage, the notices may be included with other |
67-39 |
enrollment materials that a health maintenance organization distributes to subscribers, provided |
67-40 |
the statement is prominent. For group health insurance coverage, if a notice satisfying the |
67-41 |
requirements of this subsection is provided to an individual, a health maintenance organization’s |
67-42 |
requirement to provide the notice with respect to that individual is satisfied. |
67-43 |
     (E) For any individual who enrolls in a health maintenance organization in accordance |
67-44 |
with subdivision (2) of this subsection, coverage under the plan shall take effect not later than: |
67-45 |
     (i) For group health insurance coverage, the first day of the first plan year beginning on |
67-46 |
or after September 23, 2010; or |
67-47 |
     (ii) For individual health insurance coverage, the first day of the first policy year |
67-48 |
beginning on or after September 23, 2010. |
67-49 |
     (d)(1) An individual enrolling in a health maintenance organization for group health |
67-50 |
insurance coverage in accordance with subsection (c) above shall be treated as if the individual |
67-51 |
were a special enrollee in the plan, as provided under regulations interpreting the HIPAA |
67-52 |
portability provisions issued pursuant to Section 2714 of the Affordable Care Act. |
67-53 |
     (2) An individual enrolling in accordance with subsection (c) of this subsection: |
67-54 |
     (A) shall be offered all of the benefit packages available to similarly situated individuals |
67-55 |
who did not lose coverage under the plan by reason of reaching a lifetime limit on the dollar value |
67-56 |
of all benefits; and |
67-57 |
     (B) shall not be required to pay more for coverage than similarly situated individuals who |
67-58 |
did not lose coverage by reason of reaching a lifetime limit on the dollar value of all benefits. |
67-59 |
     (3) For purposes of subsection B(1), any difference in benefits or cost-sharing constitutes |
67-60 |
a different benefit package. |
67-61 |
     (e)(1) The provisions of this section relating to lifetime limits apply to any health |
67-62 |
maintenance organization or health insurance carrier providing coverage under an individual or |
67-63 |
group health plan, including grandfathered health plans. |
67-64 |
     (2) The provisions of this section relating to annual limits apply to any health |
67-65 |
maintenance organization or health insurance carrier providing coverage under a group health |
67-66 |
plan, including grandfathered health plans, but the prohibition and limits on annual limits do not |
67-67 |
apply to grandfathered health plans providing individual health insurance coverage. |
68-68 |
     27-41-77. Coverage for Preventive Items and Services. -- (a) Every health maintenance |
68-69 |
organization providing coverage under an individual or group health plan shall provide coverage |
68-70 |
for all of the following items and services, and shall not impose any cost-sharing requirements, |
68-71 |
such as a copayment, coinsurance or deductible, with respect to the following items and services: |
68-72 |
     (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, and except as may |
68-73 |
otherwise be provided in federal regulations implementing the Affordable Care Act, evidence- |
68-74 |
based items or services that have in effect a rating of A or B in the recommendations of the |
68-75 |
United States Preventive Services Task Force as of September 23, 2010 and as may subsequently |
68-76 |
be amended. |
68-77 |
     (2) Immunizations for routine use in children, adolescents and adults that have in effect a |
68-78 |
recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for |
68-79 |
Disease Control and Prevention with respect to the individual involved. For purposes of this |
68-80 |
subdivision, a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the |
68-81 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considered in effect after it has been adopted by the |
68-82 |
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a recommendation is considered |
68-83 |
to be for routine use if it is listed on the Immunization Schedules of the Centers for Disease |
68-84 |
Control and Prevention. |
68-85 |
     (3) With respect to infants, children and adolescents, evidence-informed preventive care, |
68-86 |
and screenings provided for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and |
68-87 |
Services Administration. |
68-88 |
     (4) With respect to women, to the extent not described in subdivision (1) of this |
68-89 |
subsection, evidence-informed preventive care and screenings provided for in comprehensive |
68-90 |
coverage guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration. |
68-91 |
     (b)(1) A health maintenance organization is not required to provide coverage for any |
68-92 |
items or services specified in any recommendation or guideline described in subsection (a) of this |
68-93 |
section after the recommendation or guideline is no longer described in subsection (a) of this |
68-94 |
section. The provisions of this subdivision shall not affect the obligation of the health |
68-95 |
maintenance organization to provide notice to a covered person before any material modification |
68-96 |
of coverage becomes effective, in accordance with including section 2715(d)(4) of the Public |
68-97 |
Health Services Act. |
68-98 |
     (2) A health maintenance organization shall at least annually at the beginning of each |
68-99 |
new plan year or policy year, whichever is applicable, revise the preventive services covered |
68-100 |
under its health benefit plans pursuant to this section consistent with the recommendations of the |
68-101 |
United States Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization |
68-102 |
Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the guidelines with respect to |
69-1 |
infants, children, adolescents and women evidence-based preventive care and screenings by the |
69-2 |
Health Resources and Services Administration in effect at the time. |
69-3 |
     (c)(1) A health maintenance organization insurance carrier may impose cost-sharing |
69-4 |
requirements with respect to an office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this |
69-5 |
section is billed separately or is tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office |
69-6 |
visit. |
69-7 |
     (2) A health maintenance organization shall not impose cost-sharing requirements with |
69-8 |
respect to an office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is not |
69-9 |
billed separately or is not tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit and |
69-10 |
the primary purpose of the office visit is the delivery of the item or service described in |
69-11 |
subsection (a) of this section. |
69-12 |
     (3) A health maintenance organization may impose cost-sharing requirements with |
69-13 |
respect to an office visit if an item or service described in subsection (a) of this section is not |
69-14 |
billed separately or is not tracked as individual encounter data separately from the office visit and |
69-15 |
the primary purpose of the office visit is not the delivery of the item or service. |
69-16 |
     (d)(1) Nothing in this section requires a health maintenance organization that has a |
69-17 |
network of providers to providing coverage for items and services described in subsection (a) of |
69-18 |
this section that are delivered by an out-of-network provider. |
69-19 |
     (2) Nothing in subsection (a) of this section precludes a health maintenance organization |
69-20 |
insurance carrier that has a network of providers from imposing cost-sharing requirements for |
69-21 |
items or services described in subsection (a) of this section that are delivered by an out-of- |
69-22 |
network provider. |
69-23 |
     (e) Nothing prevents a health maintenance organization from using reasonable medical |
69-24 |
management techniques to determine the frequency, method, treatment or setting for an item or |
69-25 |
service described in subsection (a) of this section to the extent not specified in the |
69-26 |
recommendation or guideline. |
69-27 |
     (f) Nothing in this section prohibits a health maintenance organization from providing |
69-28 |
coverage for items and services in addition to those recommended by the United States |
69-29 |
Preventive Services Task Force or the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the |
69-30 |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or provided by guidelines supported by the Health |
69-31 |
Resources and Services Administration, or from denying coverage for items and services that are |
69-32 |
not recommended by that task force or that advisory committee, or under those guidelines. A |
69-33 |
health maintenance organization may impose cost-sharing requirements for a treatment not |
69-34 |
described in subsection (a) of this section even if the treatment results from an item or service |
70-1 |
described in subsection (a) of this section. |
70-2 |
     (g) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
70-3 |
     27-41-78. Coverage for individual participating in approved clinical trials. -- (a) As |
70-4 |
used in this section. |
70-5 |
     (1) “Approved clinical trial” means a phase I, phase II, phase III or phase IV clinical trial |
70-6 |
that is conducted in relation to the prevention, detection or treatment of cancer or a life- |
70-7 |
threatening disease or condition and is described in any of the following: |
70-8 |
     (A) The study or investigation is approved or funded, which may include funding through |
70-9 |
in-kind contributions, by one or more of the following: |
70-10 |
     (i) The National Institutes of Health; |
70-11 |
     (ii) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; |
70-12 |
     (iii) The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality; |
70-13 |
     (iv) The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; |
70-14 |
     (v) A cooperative group or center of any of the entities described in items (i) through (iv) |
70-15 |
or the Department of Defense or the Department of Veteran Affairs; |
70-16 |
     (vi) A qualified non-governmental research entity identified in the guidelines issued by |
70-17 |
the National Institutes of Health for center support grants; or |
70-18 |
     (vii) A study or investigation conducted by the Department of Veteran Affairs, the |
70-19 |
Department of Defense, or the Department of Energy, if the study or investigation has been |
70-20 |
reviewed and approved through a system of peer review that the Secretary of U.S. Department of |
70-21 |
Health and Human Services determines: |
70-22 |
     (I) Is comparable to the system of peer review of studies and investigations used by the |
70-23 |
National Institutes of Health; and |
70-24 |
     (II) Assures unbiased review of the highest scientific standards by qualified individuals |
70-25 |
who have no interest in the outcome of the review. |
70-26 |
     (B) The study or investigation is conducted under an investigational new drug application |
70-27 |
reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration; or |
70-28 |
     (C) The study or investigation is a drug trial that is exempt from having such an |
70-29 |
investigational new drug application. |
70-30 |
     (2) “Participant” has the meaning stated in section 3(7) of ERISA. |
70-31 |
     (3) “Participating provider” means a health care provider that, under a contract with the |
70-32 |
health carrier or with its contractor or subcontractor, has agreed to provide health care services to |
70-33 |
covered persons with an expectation of receiving payment, other than coinsurance, copayments or |
70-34 |
deductibles, directly or indirectly from the health carrier. |
71-1 |
     (4) “Qualified individual” means a participant or beneficiary who meets the following |
71-2 |
conditions: |
71-3 |
     (A) The individual is eligible to participate in an approved clinical trial according to the |
71-4 |
trial protocol with respect to the treatment of cancer or other life-threatening disease or condition; |
71-5 |
and |
71-6 |
     (B)(i) The referring health care professional is a participating provider and has concluded |
71-7 |
that the individual’s participation in such trial would be appropriate based on the individual |
71-8 |
meeting the conditions described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3); or |
71-9 |
     (ii) The participant or beneficiary provides medical and scientific information |
71-10 |
establishing the individual’s participation in such trial would be appropriate based on the |
71-11 |
individual meeting the conditions described in subdivision (A) of this subdivision (3). |
71-12 |
     (5) “Life-threatening condition” means any disease or condition from which the |
71-13 |
likelihood of death is probable unless the course of the disease or condition is interrupted. |
71-14 |
     (b)(1) If a health maintenance organization offering group or individual health insurance |
71-15 |
coverage provides coverage to a qualified individual, it: |
71-16 |
     (A) Shall not deny the individual participation in an approved clinical trial. |
71-17 |
     (B) Subject to subdivision (3) of this subsection, shall not deny or limit or impose |
71-18 |
additional conditions on the coverage of routine patient costs for items and services furnished in |
71-19 |
connection with participation in the approved clinical trial; and |
71-20 |
     (C) Shall not discriminate against the individual on the basis of the individual’s |
71-21 |
participation in the approved clinical trial. |
71-22 |
     (2)(A) Subject to subdivision (B) of this subdivision (2), routine patient costs include all |
71-23 |
items and services consistent with the coverage typically covered for a qualified individual who is |
71-24 |
not enrolled in an approved clinical trial. |
71-25 |
     (B) For purposes of subdivision (B) of this subdivision (2), routine patient costs do not |
71-26 |
include: |
71-27 |
     (i) The investigational item, device or service itself; |
71-28 |
     (ii) Items and services that are provided solely to satisfy data collection and analysis |
71-29 |
needs and that are not used in the direct clinical management of the patient; or |
71-30 |
     (iii) A service that is clearly inconsistent with widely accepted and established standards |
71-31 |
of care for a particular diagnosis. |
71-32 |
     (3) If one or more participating providers is participating in a clinical trial, nothing in |
71-33 |
subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be construed as preventing a health maintenance |
71-34 |
organization from requiring that a qualified individual participate in the trial through such a |
72-1 |
participating provider if the provider will accept the individual as a participant in the trial. |
72-2 |
     (4) Notwithstanding subdivision (3) of this subsection, subdivision (1) of this subsection |
72-3 |
shall apply to a qualified individual participating in an approved clinical trial that is conducted |
72-4 |
outside this state. |
72-5 |
     (5) This section shall not be construed to require a health maintenance organization |
72-6 |
offering group or individual health insurance coverage to provide benefits for routine patient care |
72-7 |
services provided outside of the coverage’s health care provider network unless out-of-network |
72-8 |
benefits are other provided under the coverage. |
72-9 |
     (6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a health maintenance organization’s |
72-10 |
coverage with respect to clinical trials. |
72-11 |
     (c) The requirements of this section shall be in addition to the requirements of Rhode |
72-12 |
Island general laws sections 27-41-41 through 27-41-41.3. |
72-13 |
     27-41-79. Medical loss ratio rebates. -- (a) A health maintenance organization offering |
72-14 |
group or individual health insurance coverage, including a grandfathered health plan, shall pay |
72-15 |
medical loss ratio rebates as provided for in section 2718(b)(1)(A) of the Affordable Care Act, in |
72-16 |
the manner and as required by federal laws and regulations. |
72-17 |
     (b) Health maintenance organizations required to report medical loss ratio and rebate |
72-18 |
calculations and any other medical loss ratio or rebate information to the U.S. Department of |
72-19 |
Health and Human Services shall concurrently file such information with the commissioner. |
72-20 |
     27-41-80. Emergency services. -- (a) As used in this section: |
72-21 |
     (1)“Emergency medical condition” means a medical condition manifesting itself by acute |
72-22 |
symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) so that a prudent layperson, who |
72-23 |
possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of |
72-24 |
immediate medical attention to result in a condition: (i) Placing the health of the individual, or |
72-25 |
with respect to a pregnant woman her unborn child in serious jeopardy: (ii) Constituting a serious |
72-26 |
impairment to bodily functions; or (iii) Constituting a serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or |
72-27 |
part. |
72-28 |
     (2) “Emergency services” means, with respect to an emergency medical condition: |
72-29 |
     (A) A medical screening examination (as required under section 1867 of the Social |
72-30 |
Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395 dd) that is within the capability of the emergency department of a |
72-31 |
hospital, including ancillary services routinely available to the emergency department to evaluate |
72-32 |
such emergency medical condition, and |
72-33 |
     (B) Such further medical examination and treatment, to the extent they are within the |
72-34 |
capabilities of the staff and facilities available at the hospital, as are required under section 1867 |
73-1 |
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 dd) to stabilize the patient. |
73-2 |
     (3) “Stabilize”, with respect to an emergency medical condition has the meaning given in |
73-3 |
section 1867(e)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.1395 dd(e)(3)). |
73-4 |
     (b) If a health maintenance organization offering group health insurance coverage |
73-5 |
provides any benefits with respect to services in an emergency department of a hospital, it must |
73-6 |
cover emergency services consistent with the rules of this section. |
73-7 |
     (c) A health maintenance organization shall provide coverage for emergency services in |
73-8 |
the following manner: |
73-9 |
     (1) Without the need for any prior authorization determination, even if the emergency |
73-10 |
services are provided on an out-of-network basis; |
73-11 |
     (2) Without regard to whether the health care provider furnishing the emergency services |
73-12 |
is a participating network provider with respect to the services; |
73-13 |
     (3) If the emergency services are provided out of network, without imposing any |
73-14 |
administrative requirement or limitation on coverage that is more restrictive than the requirements |
73-15 |
or limitations that apply to emergency services received from in-network providers; |
73-16 |
     (4) If the emergency services are provided out of network, by complying with the cost- |
73-17 |
sharing requirements of subsection (d) of this section; and |
73-18 |
     (5) Without regard to any other term or condition of the coverage, other than: |
73-19 |
     (A) The exclusion of or coordination of benefits; |
73-20 |
     (B) An affiliation or waiting period permitted under part 7 of ERISA, part A of title |
73-21 |
XXVII of the PHS Act, or chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code; or |
73-22 |
     (C) Applicable cost sharing. |
73-23 |
     (d)(1) Any cost-sharing requirement expressed as a copayment amount or coinsurance |
73-24 |
rate imposed with respect to a participant or beneficiary for out-of-network emergency services |
73-25 |
cannot exceed the cost-sharing requirement imposed with respect to a participant or beneficiary if |
73-26 |
the services were provided in-network; provided, however, that a participant or beneficiary may |
73-27 |
be required to pay, in addition to the in-network cost sharing, the excess of the amount the out-of- |
73-28 |
network provider charges over the amount the plan or health maintenance organization is required |
73-29 |
to pay under subdivision (1) of this subsection. A health maintenance organization complies with |
73-30 |
the requirements of this subsection if it provides benefits with respect to an emergency service in |
73-31 |
an amount equal to the greatest of the three amounts specified in subdivisions (A), (B), and (C) of |
73-32 |
this subdivision (1)(which are adjusted for in-network cost-sharing requirements). |
73-33 |
     (A) The amount negotiated with in-network providers for the emergency service |
73-34 |
furnished, excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the |
74-1 |
participant or beneficiary. If there is more than one amount negotiated with in-network providers |
74-2 |
for the emergency service, the amount described under this subdivision (A) is the median of these |
74-3 |
amounts, excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the |
74-4 |
participant or beneficiary. In determining the median described in the preceding sentence, the |
74-5 |
amount negotiated with each in-network provider is treated as a separate amount (even if the |
74-6 |
same amount is paid to more than one provider). If there is no per-service amount negotiated with |
74-7 |
in-network providers (such as under a capitation or other similar payment arrangement), the |
74-8 |
amount under this subdivision (A) is disregarded. |
74-9 |
     (B) The amount for the emergency service calculated using the same method the plan |
74-10 |
generally uses to determine payments for out-of-network services (such as the usual, customary, |
74-11 |
and reasonable amount), excluding any in-network copayment or coinsurance imposed with |
74-12 |
respect to the participant or beneficiary. The amount in this subdivision (B) is determined without |
74-13 |
reduction for out-of-network cost sharing that generally applies under the plan or health insurance |
74-14 |
coverage with respect to out-of-network services. |
74-15 |
     (C) The amount that would be paid under Medicare (part A or part B of title XVIII of the |
74-16 |
Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for the emergency service, excluding any in-network |
74-17 |
copayment or coinsurance imposed with respect to the participant or beneficiary. |
74-18 |
     (2) Any cost-sharing requirement other than a copayment or coinsurance requirement |
74-19 |
(such as a deductible or out-of-pocket maximum) may be imposed with respect to emergency |
74-20 |
services provided out of network if the cost-sharing requirement generally applies to out-of- |
74-21 |
network benefits. A deductible may be imposed with respect to out-of-network emergency |
74-22 |
services only as part of a deductible that generally applies to out-of-network benefits. If an out-of- |
74-23 |
pocket maximum generally applies to out-of-network benefits, that out-of-pocket maximum must |
74-24 |
apply to out-of-network emergency services. |
74-25 |
     (e) The provisions of this section apply for plan years beginning on or after September |
74-26 |
23, 2010. |
74-27 |
     (f) This section shall not apply to grandfathered health plans. |
74-28 |
     27-41-81. Internal and external appeal of adverse benefit determinations. -- (a) The |
74-29 |
commissioner shall adopt regulations to implement standards and procedures with respect to |
74-30 |
internal claims and appeals of adverse benefit determinations, and with respect to external appeals |
74-31 |
of adverse benefit determinations. |
74-32 |
     (b) The regulations adopted by the commissioner shall apply to those adverse benefit |
74-33 |
determinations within the jurisdiction of the commissioner. |
75-34 |
     SECTION 10. Section 42-14-5 of the General laws in Chapter 42-14 entitled |
75-35 |
"Department of Business Regulation" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
75-36 |
     42-14-5. Administrator of banking and insurance. -- (a) The director of business |
75-37 |
regulation shall, in addition to his or her regular duties, act as administrator of banking and |
75-38 |
insurance and shall administer the functions of the department relating to the regulation and |
75-39 |
control of banking and insurance, foreign surety companies, sale of securities, building and loan |
75-40 |
associations, and fraternal benefit and beneficiary societies. |
75-41 |
     (b) Wherever the words "banking administrator" or "insurance administrator" occur in |
75-42 |
this chapter or any general law, public law, act, or resolution of the general assembly or |
75-43 |
department regulation, they shall be construed to mean banking commissioner and insurance |
75-44 |
commissioner except as delineated in subsection (d) below. |
75-45 |
     (c) "Health insurance" shall mean "health insurance coverage," as defined in 27-18.5-2 |
75-46 |
and 27-18.6-2, "health benefit plan," as defined in 27-50-3 and a "medical supplement policy," as |
75-47 |
defined in 27-18.2-1or coverage similar to a Medicare supplement policy that is issued to an |
75-48 |
employer to cover retirees, and dental coverage, including, but not limited to, coverage provided |
75-49 |
by a nonprofit dental service plan as defined in subsection 27-20.1-1(3). |
75-50 |
     (d) Whenever the words "commissioner," "insurance commissioner", "Health insurance |
75-51 |
commissioner" or "director" appear in Title 27or Title 42, those words shall be construed to mean |
75-52 |
the health insurance commissioner established pursuant to 42-14.5-1with respect to all matters |
75-53 |
relating to health insurance. The health insurance commissioner shall have sole and exclusive |
75-54 |
jurisdiction over enforcement of those statutes with respect to all matters relating to health |
75-55 |
insurance. |
75-56 |
     (e) In consultation with the commissioner of health, the health insurance commissioner |
75-57 |
shall have concurrent jurisdiction to monitor, examine, and enforce the requirements of title 23 |
75-58 |
and regulations adopted thereunder relating to health insurance. |
75-59 |
     SECTION 11. Applicability. This act shall apply to health insurance policies, subscriber |
75-60 |
contracts, and any other health benefit contract on and after July 1, 2012, except as otherwise |
75-61 |
provided by the provisions of this act. |
75-62 |
     SECTION 12. This act shall take effect on passage. |
75-63 |
      |
      | |
======= | |
LC02084 | |
======== | |
EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- HEALTH INSURANCE - CONSUMER PROTECTION | |
*** | |
76-1 |
     This act would establish health insurance rules and standards in addition to, but not |
76-2 |
inconsistent with, the health insurance standards established in the Patient Protection and |
76-3 |
Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act |
76-4 |
of 2010. These rules and standards would include, but are not limited to, prohibitions on |
76-5 |
rescission of coverage, discrimination in coverage, and prohibitions on annual and lifetime limits |
76-6 |
of coverage unless such limits meet set minimum amounts, as well as adding definitions to the |
76-7 |
chapters covering health insurance. |
76-8 |
     This act would take effect upon passage. |
      | |
======= | |
LC02084 | |
======= |