2016 -- H 7710

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LC004903

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, Hull, McNamara, Azzinaro, and Diaz

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2016

     Referred To: House Corporations

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness

Insurance Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-18-82. Opioid antagonists. -- (a) Every individual or group health insurance contract,

plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage that is delivered, issued for delivery, amended

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2017, shall provide coverage for all opioid

antagonists and all necessary devices and services related thereto, including provision of patient

information.

     (b) As used in this section:

     (1) "Opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride and any other drug approved by

the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid overdose.

     (2) "Patient" has the meaning provided in R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9:1.0.

     (3) "Patient information" has the meaning provided in R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9:1.0

     (c) The coverage mandated by this section shall include all opioid antagonists prescribed

or dispensed as permitted by R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9 or any other statute or regulation,

including, without limitation, opioid antagonists prescribed or dispensed via standing order or

collaborative practice agreement and opioid antagonists intended for use on patients other than

the insured. No prior authorization may be required for any opioid antagonist.

     (d) Notwithstanding §27-18-19 or any other provision to the contrary, this section shall

apply to blanket or group polices of insurance.

     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-19-73. Opioid antagonists. -- (a) Every individual or group health insurance contract,

plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage that is delivered, issued for delivery, amended

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2017, shall provide coverage for all opioid

antagonists and all necessary devices and services related thereto, including provision of patient

information.

     (b) As used in this section:

     (1) "Opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride and any other drug approved by

the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid overdose.

     (2) "Patient" has the meaning provided in R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9:1.0.

     (3) "Patient information" has the meaning provided in R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9:1.0

     (c) The coverage mandated by this section shall include all opioid antagonists prescribed

or dispensed as permitted by R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9 or any other statute or regulation,

including, without limitation, opioid antagonists prescribed or dispensed via standing order or

collaborative practice agreement and opioid antagonists intended for use on patients other than

the insured. No prior authorization may be required for any opioid antagonist.

     SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service

Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-20-69. Opioid antagonists. -- (a) Every individual or group health insurance contract,

plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage that is delivered, issued for delivery, amended

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2017, shall provide coverage for all opioid

antagonists and all necessary devices and services related thereto, including provision of patient

information.

     (b) As used in this section:

     (1) "Opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride and any other drug approved by

the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid overdose.

     (2) "Patient" has the meaning provided in R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9:1.0.

     (3) "Patient information" has the meaning provided in R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9:1.0

     (c) The coverage mandated by this section shall include all opioid antagonists prescribed

or dispensed as permitted by R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9 or any other statute or regulation,

including, without limitation, opioid antagonists prescribed or dispensed via standing order or

collaborative practice agreement and opioid antagonists intended for use on patients other than

the insured. No prior authorization may be required for any opioid antagonist.

LC004903 - Page 2 of 4

     SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance

Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     27-41-86. Opioid antagonists. -- (a) Every individual or group health insurance contract,

plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage that is delivered, issued for delivery, amended

or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2017, shall provide coverage for all opioid

antagonists and all necessary devices and services related thereto, including provision of patient

information.

     (b) As used in this section:

     (1) "Opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride and any other drug approved by

the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid overdose.

     (2) "Patient" has the meaning provided in R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9:1.0.

     (3) "Patient information" has the meaning provided in R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9:1.0

     (c) The coverage mandated by this section shall include all opioid antagonists prescribed

or dispensed as permitted by R.I. Admin. Code 31-2-9 or any other statute or regulation,

including, without limitation, opioid antagonists prescribed or dispensed via standing order or

collaborative practice agreement and opioid antagonists intended for use on patients other than

the insured. No prior authorization may be required for any opioid antagonist.

     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2017.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

***

     This act would require all health insurance providers that provide prescription coverage

to provide coverage for opioid antagonists (overdose preventive medicine), and all devices and

services related to the use thereof. This would apply to nonprofit hospital service corporations,

nonprofit medical service corporations and health maintenance organizations.

     This act would take effect on January 1, 2017.

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