Rhode Island Senate Bill S0567

Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/23
• Refer: 3/7/23

Caption

Accident And Sickness Insurance Policies

Impact

The bill's enactment is expected to positively affect numerous individuals, particularly children and teenagers under 19, by allowing improved access to hearing aids that can significantly improve their quality of life and educational outcomes. The legislation mandates that these provisions take effect starting January 1, 2024, thus providing a clear timeline for insurance providers to adapt their policies accordingly and ensure compliance with the new coverage levels. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for optional additional hearing aid coverage to be offered by insurance policies.

Summary

Bill S0567 proposes amendments to existing insurance laws in Rhode Island regarding accident and sickness insurance policies, specifically focusing on the coverage of hearing aids. The bill aims to increase the maximum coverage per individual hearing aid to $2,000 every three years for individuals under the age of 19 and provides a coverage of $700 per individual hearing aid for those 19 years and older. This adjustment is a significant increase from the current $1,500 limit, demonstrating a positive move towards enhancing healthcare access for those with hearing impairments.

Contention

While supporters of the bill express enthusiasm over the increased support for hearing aids, there are concerns regarding the potential burden on insurance companies and how this could affect premiums. Critics may argue that the increased coverage could lead to higher costs being passed onto consumers. Moreover, exemptions for small employer health insurance policies raise questions about uniformity and equal access to necessary medical devices across different demographic groups. The bill's clauses about insurers' flexibility in contracting providers also warrant scrutiny to ensure that patients are not limited in their choices.