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. Insurance coverage for lung cancer screening.
(a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in Rhode Island and further that early detection of lung cancer will ensure that patients get the critical care they need without delay. Accordingly, it is in the best interests of the people of the state to promote widespread availability by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for lung cancer screenings.
(b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer upon the recommendation of a health care provider acting within the provider's scope of practice, and as recommended by current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screening. There shall be no copayment required, and no deductible shall need to be met for follow- up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer. 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.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent medical management or utilization review of the services, including preauthorization, to ensure that such services are consistent with current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screening.
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. Insurance coverage for lung cancer screening.
(a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in Rhode Island and further that early detection of lung cancer will ensure that patients get the critical care they need without delay. Accordingly, it is in the best interests of the people of the state to promote widespread availability by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for lung cancer screenings.
(b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for all follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer that are administered at a frequency identified in the current American Cancer Society guidelines, including follow up examinations. Follow up examinations include, but are not limited to, chest x-ray, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, or biopsy. There shall be no copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing required, and no deductible shall need to be met for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer. 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.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent medical management or utilization review of the services, including preauthorization, to ensure that such services are consistent with current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screening.
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. Insurance coverage for lung cancer screening.
(a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in Rhode Island and further that early detection of lung cancer will ensure that patients get the critical care they need without delay. Accordingly, it is in the best interests of the people of the state to promote widespread availability by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for lung cancer screenings.
(b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for all follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer upon the recommendation of a health care provider acting within the provider's scope of practice, and as recommended by current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screening. There shall be no copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing required, and no deductible shall need to be met for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer. 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.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent medical management or utilization review of the services, including preauthorization, to ensure that such services are consistent with current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screening.
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. Insurance coverage for lung cancer screening.
(a) The Rhode Island general assembly recognizes that lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in Rhode Island and further that early detection of lung cancer will ensure that patients get the critical care they need without delay. Accordingly, it is in the best interests of the people of the state to promote widespread availability by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for lung cancer screenings.
(b) Every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides coverage and that is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in this state on or after January 1, 2027, shall provide coverage for all follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer that are administered at a frequency identified in the current American Cancer Society guidelines, including follow up examinations. Follow up examinations include, but are not limited to, chest x-ray, computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, or biopsy. There shall be no copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing required, and no deductible shall need to be met for follow-up screening or diagnostic services for lung cancer. 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.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent medical management or utilization review of the services, including preauthorization, to ensure that such services are consistent with current American Cancer Society guidelines for lung cancer screening.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon passage.
