Requires a report to be produced that focuses on prescription drug prior authorizations by January 1, 2027.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would require the production of a report examining how health insurance companies in Rhode Island handle "prior authorizations" for prescription drugs. Prior authorization is the process where a doctor must get approval from a patient's insurance company before that patient can receive a specific medication — a process that many patients and healthcare providers find time-consuming and sometimes results in delays or denials of needed treatment. The report would need to be completed by January 1, 2027.

The report is intended to give state lawmakers and the public a clearer picture of how this approval process is working in Rhode Island. It would likely look at data such as how often prior authorization requests are made, how often they are approved or denied, how long the process takes, and whether certain types of patients or medications are affected more than others.

This bill would most directly affect Rhode Island residents who have health insurance and take prescription medications, as well as the doctors and pharmacists who help them navigate the insurance approval process. Insurance companies operating in the state would also be involved, as they would likely need to provide data or information for the report.

The bill does not change any existing rules about prior authorizations — it simply requires a study and report on the topic. The findings could, however, be used by state lawmakers in the future to decide whether further action or reform is needed in this area.