Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H5627

Introduced
2/26/25  

Caption

Requires health insurance providers to provide insurance coverage for pharmacists’ services.

Impact

The bill proposes significant changes to state laws regarding health insurance, allowing pharmacists greater autonomy and recognition in patient care. By ensuring that services rendered by pharmacists are treated equivalently to those provided by physicians and nurses, H5627 will facilitate broader access to healthcare, particularly in primary care management and medication therapy. This legislative change is expected to reduce the load on traditional healthcare providers and enhance patient outcomes through more integrated care.

Summary

House Bill H5627 mandates that all health insurance providers in Rhode Island must include coverage for pharmacists' services as part of their health plans, effective January 1, 2026. This act aims to enhance the role of pharmacists within the healthcare system by recognizing the various clinical services they provide, including patient evaluation, medication therapy management, immunization administration, and other related healthcare responsibilities. The inclusion of pharmacists as covered providers is intended to improve patient access to necessary medical services, especially in underserved areas.

Contention

While the bill is largely seen as a positive step towards improving healthcare delivery, some concerns have been raised regarding the implications for reimbursement structures within health insurance plans. Critics argue that the requirement for health insurance plans to cover pharmacist services may lead to increased costs and complexities in payer-provider relationships. Additionally, the stipulation that reimbursement should not depend on other healthcare provider supervision raises questions about the scope of practice and accountability among pharmacists, which could lead to debates over standards and regulations in the medical field.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H7273

Requires insurance coverage for all services provided by a pharmacist provided coverage of such services would have been covered if provided by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant.

RI S2401

Requires insurance coverage for all services provided by a pharmacist provided coverage of such services would have been covered if provided by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant.

RI S2617

Adds a new section which sets forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation/drug therapies, programs approved by the state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies would be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/25.

RI H7445

Adds a new section which sets forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation/drug therapies, programs approved by the state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies would be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/25.

RI S0563

Insurance Coverage For Prevention Of Hiv Infection

RI H7299

Requires health insurance policies to provide coverage for the licensed practice of naturopathy and to provide reports.

RI S2384

Requires health insurance policies to provide coverage for the licensed practice of naturopathy and to provide reports.

RI S2612

Requires that any insurance contract issued, amended or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, that provides hospital, medical or surgical coverage shall provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental health or substance use disorders.

RI S2088

Requires every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2025, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products.

RI H7255

Requires every individual or group health insurance contract effective on or after January 1, 2025, to provide coverage to the insured and the insured's spouse and dependents for all FDA-approved contraceptive drugs, devices and other products.

Similar Bills

RI S0897

Requires health insurance providers to provide insurance coverage for pharmacists’ services.

RI H5854

Adds new sections that set forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation drug therapies, including education approved by state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies to be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/26.

RI S0685

Adds new sections that set forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation drug therapies, including education approved by state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies to be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/26.

RI H7273

Requires insurance coverage for all services provided by a pharmacist provided coverage of such services would have been covered if provided by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant.

RI S2401

Requires insurance coverage for all services provided by a pharmacist provided coverage of such services would have been covered if provided by a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant.

RI S2617

Adds a new section which sets forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation/drug therapies, programs approved by the state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies would be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/25.

RI H7445

Adds a new section which sets forth conditions for pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation/drug therapies, programs approved by the state board of pharmacy. The cessation therapies would be covered by all health insurance carriers on or after 1/1/25.

SC H3575

Pharmacy insurance benefits cost-sharing