Promotes transparency and accountability in the use of artificial intelligence by health insurers to manage coverage and claims.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: AI Transparency in Health Insurance

This bill would set rules for how health insurance companies in Rhode Island can use artificial intelligence (AI) when making decisions about whether to approve or deny medical coverage and claims. Essentially, it aims to make sure that when an insurer uses a computer program or algorithm to decide if your medical treatment gets covered, there are clear rules about how that process works and who is responsible for the outcome.

The bill focuses on transparency and accountability, meaning health insurers would likely need to disclose when AI is being used in coverage decisions and ensure that a qualified human — such as a licensed medical professional — is involved in or can review those decisions. This is meant to prevent situations where an automated system alone denies someone's medical care without proper human oversight.

This legislation would affect Rhode Island residents who have health insurance, as well as the insurance companies operating in the state. Patients could potentially have better insight into why a claim was denied and have stronger grounds to appeal decisions made by AI systems. Insurers would face new requirements around how they design and use these automated tools.

As of now, the bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies and is scheduled for a hearing in March 2026. The committee has recommended it be held for further study, meaning it has not yet moved forward toward a vote and may still undergo significant changes.