2023 -- S 0575 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC001879/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lauria, Miller, Ujifusa, Bell, Murray, Euer, Kallman, Lawson,
DiMario, and Valverde

     Date Introduced: March 07, 2023

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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     27-18-91. Epinephrine injectors.

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

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

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

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

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availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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     27-19-83. Epinephrine injectors.

 

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

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

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

7

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

8

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

9

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

10

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

11

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

12

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

13

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

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

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

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     27-20-79. Epinephrine injectors.

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     (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.

20

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

21

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

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

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

24

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

25

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

26

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

27

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

28

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

29

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

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

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

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     27-41-96. Epinephrine injectors.

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

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

 

LC001879/SUB A - Page 2 of 3

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

2

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

3

availability of epinephrine cartridges and injectors.

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

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

8

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

9

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

10

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

11

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

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     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

***

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

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

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

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injectors or cartridges.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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