2023 -- H 5176 SUBSTITUTE A

========

LC000151/SUB A

========

     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:

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

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

     27-18-91. Epinephrine injectors.

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

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

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

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

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

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

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

on or after January 1, 2025, shall provide coverage for at least one type of epinephrine auto-injectors

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

obtain a two (2) pack of the epinephrine auto-injectors or cartridges covered by the contract, plan,

or policy, once every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that

are paired with federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S Code § 223. Nothing

in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2025.

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

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

     27-19-83. Epinephrine injectors.

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

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

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

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

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

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

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

on or after January 1, 2025, shall provide coverage for at least one type of epinephrine auto-injectors

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

obtain a two (2) pack of the epinephrine auto-injectors or cartridges covered by the contract, plan,

or policy, once every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that

are paired with federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S Code § 223. Nothing

in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2025.

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

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

     27-20-79. Epinephrine injectors.

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

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

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

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

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

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

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

on or after January 1, 2025, shall provide coverage for at least one type of epinephrine auto-injectors

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

obtain a two (2) pack of the epinephrine auto-injectors or cartridges covered by the contract, plan,

or policy, once every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that

are paired with federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S Code § 223. Nothing

in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2025.

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

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

     27-41-96. Epinephrine injectors.

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

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

LC000151/SUB A - Page 2 of 4

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

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

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

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

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

on or after January 1, 2025, shall provide coverage for at least one type of epinephrine auto-injectors

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

obtain a two (2) pack of the epinephrine auto-injectors or cartridges covered by the contract, plan,

or policy, once every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that

are paired with federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S Code § 223. Nothing

in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2025.

     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC000151/SUB A

========

LC000151/SUB A - Page 3 of 4

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

***

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

prescription benefits to cover at least one type of prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors and

cartridges. No copayment or deductible would be required to obtain prescribed epinephrine

injectors or cartridges.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC000151/SUB A

========

LC000151/SUB A - Page 4 of 4