Mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.

What This Bill Does

This bill would require health insurance companies in Rhode Island to cover scalp cooling treatments for cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Scalp cooling is a medical technique where a patient wears a special cooling cap during chemotherapy sessions, which reduces blood flow to the scalp and can help prevent or reduce hair loss caused by chemotherapy drugs. Currently, patients who want this treatment may have to pay for it entirely out of pocket.

Who It Affects

This bill primarily affects Rhode Island cancer patients receiving chemotherapy who are concerned about hair loss, as well as the insurance companies that provide health coverage in the state. For patients, the bill could make scalp cooling financially accessible, since the treatment can be costly when not covered by insurance. Insurance companies would be required to include this as a covered benefit in their accident and sickness insurance policies, which could affect their costs and how they structure their plans.

Where Things Stand

The bill has been introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Health & Human Services Committee. The committee has recommended that the bill be held for further study, meaning it is not moving forward immediately and lawmakers want more time to examine it before making a decision. A hearing is scheduled for March 3, 2026. The bill has not yet been passed into law.