Caps the total amount that a covered person is required to pay for a covered prescription inhaler, prescription device, or prescription equipment to twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per thirty (30) day supply.

Rhode Island Bill: $25 Cap on Prescription Inhalers and Respiratory Devices

This bill would limit how much Rhode Island residents with health insurance have to pay out of pocket for certain prescription breathing-related medical products. Specifically, it would cap the cost at $25 per 30-day supply for covered prescription inhalers, breathing devices, and related equipment. No matter what their insurance plan's normal cost-sharing rules say — such as copays or coinsurance — a covered person would never have to pay more than $25 for these items each month.

The bill would primarily benefit people who rely on inhalers or other prescription respiratory equipment to manage conditions like asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or other breathing disorders. These medications and devices can currently cost significantly more depending on a person's insurance plan, and for those who need them daily, the costs can add up quickly. This cap is designed to make those treatments more consistently affordable.

Health insurance companies and prescription benefit plans operating in Rhode Island would be required to follow this new pricing rule when covering these products. The bill has been introduced and sent to the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further votes take place. It does not currently affect people who are uninsured, as it applies specifically to those with insurance coverage.