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 Senate Bill Summary

This bill would require health insurance companies in Rhode Island to cover vaccinations that are recommended by the state's Department of Health (DOH) at no cost to patients, starting January 1, 2027. That means if your doctor recommends a vaccine that the DOH has approved, your insurance would have to pay for it in full — you would not be charged a copay, deductible, or any other out-of-pocket fee at the time of service.

The bill applies broadly across different types of health coverage. Private health insurance plans would be required to follow these rules, and so would the state's Medicaid program (called the Medical Assistance Program) and managed care organizations, which are the health plan networks that many Medicaid recipients use. Essentially, the goal is to make sure that the cost of a vaccine is never a barrier for Rhode Islanders, regardless of what type of insurance they have.

This bill would affect Rhode Island residents who have private health insurance, as well as those enrolled in Medicaid or managed care plans. It would also affect insurance companies and managed care organizations operating in the state, who would need to update their coverage policies to comply by the 2027 deadline. Vaccine providers and healthcare facilities could also see changes in how they bill for these services.

As of now, the bill has been introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. A hearing was scheduled, but the meeting was postponed, and the committee has recommended holding the bill for further study, meaning it has not yet moved forward toward a vote.