Chapter 175
2016 -- S 2460 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED
Enacted 06/28/2016

A N   A C T
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

Introduced By: Senators Miller, Coyne, Satchell, Jabour, and Nesselbush
Date Introduced: February 11, 2016

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 at least one generic
opioid antagonist and device. Prior authorization may be required for non-generic forms of opioid
antagonists and devices.
     (b) As used in this section:
     "Opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride and any other drug approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid overdose.
     (c) The coverage mandated by this section shall include generic opioid antagonists
prescribed or dispensed via standing order or collaborative-practice agreement intended for use
on patients other than the insured. Prior authorization may be required for non-generic forms of
opioid antagonists and devices.
     (d) Notwithstanding ยง27-18-19, 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 at least one generic
opioid antagonist and device. Prior authorization may be required for non-generic forms of opioid
antagonists and devices.
     (b) As used in this section:
     "Opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride and any other drug approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid overdose.
     (c) The coverage mandated by this section shall include generic opioid antagonists
prescribed or dispensed via standing order or collaborative-practice agreement intended for use
on patients other than the insured. Prior authorization may be required for non-generic forms of
opioid antagonists and devices.
     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 at least one generic
opioid antagonist and device. Prior authorization may be required for non-generic forms of opioid
antagonists and devices.
     (b) As used in this section:
     "Opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride and any other drug approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid overdose.
     (c) The coverage mandated by this section shall include generic opioid antagonists
prescribed or dispensed via standing order or collaborative practice agreement intended for use on
patients other than the insured. Prior authorization may be required for non-generic forms of
opioid antagonists and devices.
     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 at least one generic
opioid antagonist and device. Prior authorization may be required for non-generic forms of opioid
antagonists and devices.
     (b) As used in this section:
     "Opioid antagonist" means naloxone hydrochloride and any other drug approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid overdose.
     (c) The coverage mandated by this section shall include generic opioid antagonists
prescribed or dispensed via standing order or collaborative-practice agreement intended for use
on patients other than the insured. Prior authorization may be required for non-generic forms of
opioid antagonists and devices.
     SECTION 5. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2017.
========
LC004770/SUB A
========