Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S0690

Introduced
3/7/25  

Caption

Requires health insurance policies to cover licensed certified lactation counselor services for childbearing families. It also prohibits requiring supervision or duplicate payments for services and mandates annual reporting.

Impact

Significantly, the bill prohibits insurers from requiring any supervision, signature, or referral from other healthcare providers as a condition of reimbursement for these services. This provision empowers licensed certified lactation counselors to operate independently within their scope of practice, thus facilitating easier access for families seeking lactation support. Furthermore, it mandates annual reporting of utilization and cost information related to these services, which could enhance transparency and accountability in healthcare financing.

Summary

Bill S0690, introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly, focuses on enhancing support for childbearing families by requiring health insurance policies to cover services provided by licensed certified lactation counselors. This bill mandates that all health insurance contracts issued or renewed after January 1, 2026, must include coverage for lactation counseling services. This effort aims to create a more inclusive healthcare framework that acknowledges the importance of lactation support in early child development.

Contention

While the bill's proponents argue for its necessity in promoting health and well-being among mothers and infants, certain points of concern have been raised in legislative discussions. Critics may argue that expanding mandated coverage could strain insurance companies financially or complicate existing reimbursement processes. Additionally, there are apprehensions regarding potential overlaps in service provision when lactation counselors and other healthcare providers offer similar services, which might lead to issues of redundancy in healthcare funding.

Effectiveness

The success of S0690 will hinge on the cooperation of health insurers and the proper implementation of reporting requirements. If effectively enforced, it could set a precedent for future healthcare policies aimed at supporting maternal and infant health, potentially influencing legislation in other states. It provides a critical step toward ensuring comprehensive support for breastfeeding families and acknowledging the vital role of lactation counselors in the healthcare system.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI H5628

Mandates all health insurance contracts, plans, or policies provide the same reimbursement to independent healthcare facilities as that of hospital affiliated facilities where the same healthcare service is provided.

RI H5082

Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath on or after January 1, 2026.

RI S0051

Limits copays, coinsurance or office deductibles for services of a physical therapist to the amount authorized for the services of a primary care physician or osteopath on or after January 1, 2026.

RI H6158

Mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling treatments for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatments.

RI S0263

Requires coverage for acute mental health crisis mobile response and stabilization services to eligible individuals enrolled as plan beneficiaries.

RI H6118

Requires coverage for acute mental health crisis mobile response and stabilization services to eligible individuals enrolled as plan beneficiaries.

RI S0115

Requires health plans that provide prescription benefits to cover at least one type of glucagon auto-injector, nasal spray, or formulation that does not require reconstitution to treat hypoglycemia. No copayment or deductible would be required.

RI H5173

Requires health plans that provide prescription benefits to cover at least one type of glucagon auto-injector, nasal spray, or formulation that does not require reconstitution to treat hypoglycemia. No copayment or deductible would be required.

Similar Bills

RI H5861

Requires health insurance policies to cover licensed certified lactation counselor services for childbearing families. It also prohibits requiring supervision or duplicate payments for services and mandates annual reporting.

ME LD1589

An Act to Improve Parity in Insurance Coverage for Outpatient Counseling Services in Maine

MS SB2595

Supplemental pay and loan repayment programs; add salary supplement for school psychologists.

NV AB511

Revises provisions relating to insurance. (BDR 57-697)

MS HB461

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MS HB1525

Charter schools; grant a two-year start up delay or reapplication process and provide salary supplement to National Board Certified Professionals.

HI SB46

Relating To Insurance.

MS SB2598

Public schools; allow retired administrators to return to work as teachers.