S 2034Health Insurance

Insurance - Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies

Requires health insurers to cover buprenorphine medication for opioid treatment without copays or deductibles starting in 2027.

On the floor38 Yea0 Nay0 Not voting

Population
Affected

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Introduced Jan 9, 2026Committee Senate Health & Human Services

Plain-English Summary

This legislation mandates that all individual and group health insurance plans in Rhode Island must provide coverage for buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Starting January 1, 2027, insurers are required to cover at least one type of this medication for every method of administration (such as tablets or films). Furthermore, insurance companies are prohibited from charging copayments or requiring deductibles for this specific medication, with an exception for plans linked to federally qualified health savings accounts.

For younger readers

This new rule helps people who are sick because of strong medicines called opioids. Sometimes people get addicted to them and need help stopping. There is a special medicine called buprenorphine that helps them get better. This rule tells the companies that pay for doctor visits (insurance companies) that they must pay for this special medicine. It also says they cannot ask the sick person to pay extra money to get it. This makes sure people can afford the help they need to get healthy again.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Individuals with opioid use disorderHealth insurance companiesMedical providers prescribing buprenorphinePharmaciesEmployers providing health insurance

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Eliminates financial barriers (copays and deductibles) for life-saving addiction treatment, ensuring that effective healthcare is accessible regardless of a patient's economic status.
Promotes a harm reduction approach to the opioid crisis by prioritizing medical treatment and recovery over punishment or neglect.
Addresses systemic healthcare inequities by mandating coverage for all forms of administration, ensuring patients receive the specific type of medication that works best for their physiology.
The mandate does not go into full effect until January 1, 2027, leaving a significant gap of time where individuals may still struggle to afford necessary medication.
Includes a carve-out for Health Savings Account (HSA) plans, which may result in continued costs for individuals enrolled in high-deductible plans often utilized to lower premiums.
Relies on the private insurance market structure rather than establishing a universal, state-funded guarantee of treatment access for all residents, including the uninsured.

For Conservatives

May help reduce the societal costs associated with untreated addiction, such as strain on emergency services, law enforcement, and the judicial system.
Supports workforce participation by helping individuals recover from addiction and return to productive employment, thereby reducing dependency on other welfare programs.
Respects federal tax law by including an exception for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), ensuring state law does not conflict with federal tax-advantaged savings vehicles.
Represents government interference in the free market by dictating specific coverage terms and price controls to private businesses (insurance companies).
Will likely result in increased insurance premiums for all policyholders as costs for the mandated "free" coverage are shifted to the broader risk pool.
Removes the ability of insurance carriers to design flexible plans and negotiate cost-sharing structures, thereby limiting consumer choice in the marketplace.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 36 additions

SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18 of the General Laws entitled "Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 27-18-96. Buprenorphine. 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, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. Chapter 27-19 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Hospital Service Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 27-19-88. Buprenorphine. 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, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.

SECTION 3. Chapter 27-20 of the General Laws entitled "Nonprofit Medical Service Corporations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 27-20-84. Buprenorphine. 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, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.

SECTION 4. Chapter 27-41 of the General Laws entitled "Health Maintenance Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 27-41-101. Buprenorphine. 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, 2027, shall provide coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. There shall be no copayment required and no deductible shall need to be met by the contract, plan, or policy, every twelve (12) month plan year. A deductible may be applied to health plans that are paired with a federally qualified health savings account pursuant to 26 U.S.C § 223. Nothing in this section would prohibit a health plan from implementing this benefit prior to January 1, 2027.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.