Healthcare (Primary Care)

Prohibits health insurance companies or other payors from including in physician participation agreements any provisions that restrict or prevent a physician from charging patients reasonable administrative or operational fees to support overhead.

Allows the office of health insurance commissioner (OHIC) as the state agency that has the authority to designate patient-centered medical home (PCMH) care to obtain maximal health outcomes.

SB 2101 establishes Rhode Island's Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program to address provider shortages. It provides up to five $70,000 annual scholarships per year for medical students and five $47,000 annual scholarships for nurse practitioner or physician assistant students. Recipients must agree to work in Rhode Island primary care for a period matching their scholarship duration (4 years for med students, 2 years for NPs/PAs) and sign a promissory note for funds received. The program, administered by the Department of Health and Commissioner of Postsecondary Education, aims to recruit and retain primary care providers to meet the state's growing healthcare needs.