Requires every individual or group health insurance plan on or after January 1, 2026, that provides benefits to reimburse child service providers for therapy services offered through EOHHS certified Kids Connect/Therapeutic Services.
Impact
The passage of S0702 could significantly improve the availability of mental health therapy for children, as it requires insurers to cover treatments that may not have been adequately addressed in existing policy frameworks. By formalizing reimbursement processes, the bill seeks to ensure that child service providers can deliver necessary therapeutic interventions without the barrier of insufficient insurance support. This step could lead to improved mental health outcomes for children, ultimately fostering better long-term societal benefits.
Summary
Bill S0702, introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly, aims to enhance insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatments specifically for children. The bill mandates that all individual and group health insurance plans active from January 1, 2026, must reimburse child service providers that deliver therapy services through the state's certified Kids Connect/Therapeutic Services. This legislative effort illustrates a commitment to improving access to essential mental health resources for younger constituents, potentially impacting hundreds of families across the state.
Contention
While the bill proposes crucial support for child mental health services, there may be concerns from insurance providers regarding the financial implications of mandatory reimbursements. Discussions may arise around the adequacy of existing mental health infrastructure to handle an increase in service demand, as well as the potential for increased insurance premiums as a result of the new coverage requirements. Stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, insurance companies, and advocacy groups, will likely engage in debates over how best to implement these mandates while ensuring sustainability and equitable access.
Requires the EOHHS to establish an early childhood mental health hub program focused on improving access to infant and early childhood mental health services for children under the age of six years (6) and their families.
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.
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.
Includes the definition of "primary care services" and requires that all biennial reports shall include a review and recommendation of rates for primary care services on and after September 1, 2025.
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, 2025.
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, 2025.
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.
All Medicaid programs operated by EOHHS would not reimburse home care providers less than fee-for-service rates adopted by rate review recommendations of the office of health insurance commissioners.