Commencing January 1, 2027, mandates insurers provide health insurance coverage without cost-share requirements for vaccinations recommended by the DOH and mandates the coverage for the medical assistance program and managed care organizations.

Rhode Island Vaccine Coverage Bill – Plain English Summary

This bill would require health insurance companies in Rhode Island to fully cover the cost of vaccines recommended by the state Department of Health (DOH), starting January 1, 2027. "Fully cover" means that patients would pay nothing out of pocket — no copays, no deductibles, and no coinsurance — for these recommended vaccinations. The bill applies to private health insurers as well as Rhode Island's Medicaid program (called the medical assistance program) and managed care organizations, which are a common type of health plan.

The goal is to make it easier for Rhode Islanders to get vaccinated by removing any financial barriers at the point of care. Currently, some health plans may charge patients a portion of the cost for certain vaccines, which can discourage people from getting them. Under this bill, if the Rhode Island Department of Health recommends a vaccine, insurers would be required to cover it at no cost to the patient.

This bill would affect a wide range of people — essentially anyone in Rhode Island who has health insurance, whether through a private plan, an employer, or Medicaid. Insurance companies and managed care organizations would need to update their coverage policies to comply with the new requirement. The bill is currently being held for further study by the House Health & Human Services Committee, meaning lawmakers have not yet moved it forward for a full vote.