Requires every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products.

Rhode Island Contraceptive Coverage Bill

This bill would require health insurance plans in Rhode Island to cover all contraceptive drugs, devices, and other products that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Starting January 1, 2027, any individual or group health insurance contract issued in the state would need to include this coverage. The requirement would apply not just to the primary policyholder, but also to their spouse and dependents covered under the same plan.

In practical terms, this means that if you have health insurance in Rhode Island — whether through your employer, purchased on your own, or through a family plan — your insurance would be required to cover FDA-approved birth control options. This could include things like birth control pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, patches, and other contraceptive methods that the FDA has formally approved. The bill is designed to ensure that all such approved options are covered, rather than only a select few.

The bill would affect Rhode Island residents who have private health insurance, as well as employers who provide health coverage to their workers. It is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced and referred to the House Finance Committee, where lawmakers will review it before deciding whether to advance it further. No final action has been taken on the bill yet.