Requires health insurance policies to cover licensed certified lactation counselor services for childbearing families. It would also prohibit requiring supervision or duplicate payments for services and mandates annual reporting.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would require health insurance plans in Rhode Island to cover services provided by Licensed Certified Lactation Counselors (LCLCs) — professionals who help new and expecting mothers and families with breastfeeding and related infant feeding needs. Currently, insurance coverage for lactation support can vary widely, and families may face out-of-pocket costs depending on their plan. This bill would make that coverage a requirement for health insurance policies sold in the state.

The bill also includes two important protections for how these services are delivered and billed. First, it would prohibit insurers from requiring a lactation counselor to be supervised by another type of healthcare provider (such as a doctor) in order for services to be covered — meaning LCLCs could practice independently and still be reimbursed. Second, it would ban duplicate payment requirements, preventing insurers from making families or providers jump through extra billing hoops to get reimbursed. Additionally, insurance companies would be required to submit annual reports to the state, likely to track how the coverage is being used.

This bill primarily affects new and expectant parents (particularly those who are breastfeeding or considering it), Licensed Certified Lactation Counselors, and health insurance companies operating in Rhode Island. Families could gain easier and more affordable access to professional breastfeeding support, while insurers would have new coverage and reporting obligations. The bill was recently referred to the House Health & Human Services Committee, where it is being held for further review.