2023 -- H 5176

========

LC000151

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

     

     Introduced By: Representatives McGaw, Shekarchi, Ajello, Speakman, Donovan, Kislak,
Tanzi, Cotter, Stewart, and Felix

     Date Introduced: January 19, 2023

     Referred To: House Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

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

2

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

3

     27-18-91. Epinephrine injectors.

4

     (a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that epinephrine cartridges and injectors

5

are life-saving devices which must be administered quickly to be effective. Such administration is

6

often done by persons who are not health care professionals, and is done in an emergency situation.

7

Accordingly, it is in the best interests of the people of the state to promote the widespread

8

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

9

     (b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides

10

prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state

11

on or after January 1, 2024, shall provide coverage for prescribed epinephrine injectors and

12

cartridges. There shall be no copayment required, and no deductible shall need to be met, to obtain

13

a prescribed epinephrine injector or cartridge.

14

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

15

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

16

     27-19-83. Epinephrine injectors.

17

     (a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that epinephrine cartridges and injectors

18

are life-saving devices which must be administered quickly to be effective. Such administration is

19

often done by persons who are not health care professionals, and is done in an emergency situation.

 

1

Accordingly, it is in the best interests of the people of the state to promote the widespread

2

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

3

     (b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides

4

prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state

5

on or after January 1, 2024, shall provide coverage for prescribed epinephrine injectors and

6

cartridges. There shall be no copayment required, and no deductible shall need to be met, to obtain

7

a prescribed epinephrine injector or cartridge.

8

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

9

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

10

     27-20-79. Epinephrine injectors.

11

     (a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that epinephrine cartridges and injectors

12

are life-saving devices which must be administered quickly to be effective. Such administration is

13

often done by persons who are not health care professionals, and is done in an emergency situation.

14

Accordingly, it is in the best interests of the people of the state to promote the widespread

15

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

16

     (b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides

17

prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state

18

on or after January 1, 2024, shall provide coverage for prescribed epinephrine injectors and

19

cartridges. There shall be no copayment required, and no deductible shall need to be met, to obtain

20

a prescribed epinephrine injector or cartridge.

21

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

22

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

23

     27-41-96. Epinephrine injectors.

24

     (a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that epinephrine cartridges and injectors

25

are life-saving devices which must be administered quickly to be effective. Such administration is

26

often done by persons who are not health care professionals, and is done in an emergency situation.

27

Accordingly, it is in the best interests of the people of the state to promote the widespread

28

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

29

     (b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides

30

prescription coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state

31

on or after January 1, 2024, shall provide coverage for prescribed epinephrine injectors and

32

cartridges. There shall be no copayment required, and no deductible shall need to be met, to obtain

33

a prescribed epinephrine injector or cartridge.

 

LC000151 - Page 2 of 4

1

     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC000151

========

 

LC000151 - Page 3 of 4

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

***

1

     This act would require group health plans and health insurance issuers that provide

2

prescription benefits to cover prescribed epinephrine injectors and cartridges. No copayment or

3

deductible would be required to obtain a prescribed epinephrine injector or cartridge.

4

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC000151

========

 

LC000151 - Page 4 of 4