Healthcare (Medicare)

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 8595: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE POLICIES

This bill expands the ability for people to buy Medicare supplement insurance without being denied coverage based on their health history. It specifically helps individuals under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability or kidney disease, as well as those who have maintained continuous coverage since their initial enrollment period. The law requires insurers to offer these policies without medical underwriting or charging higher premiums due to preexisting conditions during specific enrollment windows. By removing these barriers, the bill aims to ensure broader access to supplemental health coverage for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to Medicare supplement insurance by removing medical underwriting and preexisting condition exclusions, directly strengthening patient rights and coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 22, 2026

SB 3282: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE POLICIES

This bill expands the ability of people with Medicare to buy supplemental insurance without being rejected due to their health history. It directly affects individuals who enroll in these plans outside their initial enrollment period, including those under 65 with disabilities or kidney disease. The key change requires insurers to offer coverage without medical underwriting during specific times, such as the annual enrollment period, as long as there has been no significant gap in prior coverage. Additionally, the law mandates that these policies cannot deny benefits based on preexisting conditions that occurred within six months of the policy start date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicare supplemental insurance access by removing medical underwriting, directly improving patient access and protecting rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

died · Rhode Island · House May 12, 2026

HB 8352: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- INSURANCE BENEFITS

Entitles correctional officers with twenty-five (25) years of service and who are at least fifty-five (55) years of age to a non-Medicare-eligible retiree health care insurance benefit.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides health insurance benefits to eligible correctional officers, expanding healthcare coverage for a specific group.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands health insurance benefits for long-serving correctional officers, strengthening worker benefits and protecting employee welfare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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died · Rhode Island · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SR 2816: JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $118,422 TO THE RHODE ISLAND PARENT INFORMATION NETWORK

This bill appropriates $118,422 in state funding to the Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) to support its Dual Ombudsman program, which assists approximately 40,000 Rhode Islanders who receive both Medicare and Medicaid coverage. The program helps these individuals navigate complex healthcare enrollment rules, resolve claim denials, access care, and understand changes in their coverage options. The funding would match federal Medicaid dollars to maintain the program's current capacity for the 2027 fiscal year, preventing its termination as proposed in the state budget. This support is particularly important during a major transition in Rhode Island's managed care system for dual-eligible enrollees, when fewer trusted resources are available to help them navigate their healthcare options.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $118,422 to fund an essential healthcare navigation program, directly increasing state funding for public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funding to support Dual Ombudsman program helping 40,000 dual eligibles navigate healthcare enrollment and access care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Medicaid Medicare

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signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 10, 2026

SB 2878: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS

This bill allows dental hygienists to receive payment from insurance sources other than the dentist's own plan, including third-party payors like Medicare. It directly affects dental practices by expanding the types of insurance that can reimburse dental hygienists for their services. The key provision removes previous restrictions that limited reimbursement to specific insurance arrangements, enabling broader payment options for dental hygiene care. This change applies to all dental practices employing dental hygienists within the state where the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands insurance reimbursement options for dental hygienists, improving patient access to care and strengthening healthcare service delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

died · Rhode Island · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 8310: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES -- HEALTHCARE PROVIDER CREDENTIALING

This bill requires healthcare entities and health plans to process provider credentialing applications within 30 calendar days for new applications and 10 business days for providers already credentialed with Medicare. It also mandates that minor demographic updates, such as address changes, be completed within 5 business days. The bill includes provisions for automated status updates every 15 days, written explanations for denials, and retroactive reimbursement if payers miss deadlines. Additionally, it establishes a conditional approval process for resident graduates and requires the health insurance commissioner to enforce timelines through quarterly reporting.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves healthcare provider credentialing efficiency, enhancing patient access and protecting provider rights through streamlined processes and timely reimbursements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medical Licensing Medicare

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died · Rhode Island · House May 19, 2026

HB 7631: AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES -- MEDICARE ENROLLMENT

Requires the EOHHS to disregard an individual’s assets or resources, when determining an individual’s eligibility for any Medicare beneficiary program, contingent on federal approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDisregards asset checks for Medicare eligibility, expanding access to coverage without federal approval requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2477: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BORN-ALIVE INFANT PROTECTION ACT

Provides equal Medicare for infants born-alive as a result of abortion procedure/natural delivery with violations subject to criminal penalties for medical personnel/loss of license/civil action for damages.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates Medicare coverage for born-alive infants and penalizes medical personnel for failing to provide care, expanding healthcare access and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Women's Health

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2542: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

Requires the EOHHS to amend the state Medicaid plan and secure sufficient state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates to an amount equal to one hundred thirty percent (130%) of Medicare rates for outpatient clinical pediatric services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates increased state Medicaid funding via general revenue, boosting public health spending. Explicitly requires additional budget allocation for pediatric care services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid payment rates to 130% of Medicare for pediatric services, expanding coverage and funding for children/pregnant women healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Children's Health Medicaid Medicare Tags Children

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died · Rhode Island · House May 5, 2026

HB 7693: AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN

Requires the EOHHS to amend the state Medicaid plan and secure sufficient state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates to an amount equal to one hundred thirty percent (130%) of Medicare rates for outpatient clinical pediatric services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires state general revenue to increase Medicaid payment rates for pediatric services, directly funding an essential public health program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid payment rates to 130% of Medicare for pediatric services, expanding access and funding for children's healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Children's Health Medicaid Medicare Tags Children

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