Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath on or after January 1, 2027.

Rhode Island Physical Therapy Copay Bill

This bill would limit how much Rhode Island residents can be charged out-of-pocket when they visit a physical therapist. Starting January 1, 2027, insurance plans could not charge patients higher copays, coinsurance fees, or office deductibles for physical therapy visits than they charge for visits to a primary care doctor or osteopath. In other words, if your insurance plan charges you a $25 copay to see your regular doctor, it could not charge you more than $25 for a physical therapy appointment.

The bill would affect anyone in Rhode Island who has accident and sickness insurance coverage and uses physical therapy services. Currently, many insurance plans charge higher cost-sharing amounts for physical therapy than for primary care visits, which can make it more expensive for patients to access physical therapy. This bill aims to put physical therapists on equal financial footing with primary care providers when it comes to what patients pay at the time of their visit.

It is worth noting that the bill is still in its early stages. It has been referred to the House Health & Human Services Committee, which has recommended holding it for further study rather than moving it forward immediately. This means the bill has not yet been passed into law and may be subject to changes or additional review before any final decision is made.