Rhode Island Senate Bill S0013

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25
• Report Pass: 6/5/25
• Engrossed: 6/10/25

Caption

Promotes transparency and accountability in the use of artificial intelligence by health insurers to manage coverage and claims.

Impact

The introduction of S0013 is poised to significantly alter the regulatory landscape for health insurers in Rhode Island. By compelling insurers to disclose how AI influences coverage decisions, the bill aims to prevent potential biases in automated decision-making and ensure compliance with both state and federal regulations. Insurers will be required to document their AI decisions for a minimum of five years, ensuring that adverse benefit determinations can be traced and reviewed, ultimately enhancing consumer protections and trust in the insurance process.

Summary

S0013, titled 'The Transparency and Accountability in Artificial Intelligence Use by Health Insurers to Manage Coverage and Claims Act', seeks to regulate the application of artificial intelligence (AI) by health insurers. This legislation mandates greater transparency and accountability from health insurers concerning their usage of AI in decision-making processes related to healthcare coverage and claims management. The bill establishes guidelines for the reporting and maintenance of AI-related data, ensuring that the decision-making processes can be audited and reviewed. The intent behind this act is to safeguard the rights of consumers while managing healthcare services effectively in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Sentiment

Discussions surrounding S0013 illustrate a general sentiment of cautious optimism among health advocacy groups and consumers. Supporters laud the bill as a progressive step towards utilizing technology responsibly within the health insurance sector. However, concerns remain regarding implementation logistics, enforcement, and the adequacy of transparency measures. Stakeholders have voiced apprehensions about whether the proposed regulations will sufficiently inhibit potential misuse of AI technology in healthcare decision-making.

Contention

Notably, potential points of contention relating to S0013 revolve around the balance between innovation in healthcare technology and consumer protections. While proponents argue that transparency will foster greater accountability in health insurers' use of AI, some industry representatives worry about the bureaucratic burden and the feasibility of complying with the extensive documentation and reporting requirements outlined in the bill. Furthermore, there is an ongoing debate about how these regulations might evolve in response to future advancements in AI and their implications for health insurance practices.