Requires the state and private health insurers to reimburse claims for healthcare services provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the same amount as the reimbursement paid to a physician performing the service in the area served.

Rhode Island Bill: Equal Pay for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants

This bill would require health insurance companies — both private insurers and state-run health programs — to pay nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) the same amount they pay doctors when both are performing the same medical service. Currently, insurers often reimburse NPs and PAs at a lower rate than physicians for identical services, even when those services are clinically equivalent. This bill would close that payment gap.

The bill affects several groups. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants would receive higher reimbursement payments for their work, potentially making their practices more financially sustainable. Patients who rely on NPs and PAs for their care — which is common in primary care settings, rural areas, and community health clinics — could see improved access to these providers if those providers become more financially viable. Health insurance companies would need to adjust their payment structures and may face increased costs as a result.

The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee, meaning it is in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been voted on. It reflects a broader national conversation about how different types of healthcare providers are compensated and whether pay differences between provider types are justified when the services delivered are the same.