Rhode Island Senate Bill S0705

Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/7/25
• Report Pass: 5/13/25
• Engrossed: 5/20/25
• Refer: 5/21/25

Caption

Requires insurance coverage for all community health workers' services to include health and promotion coaching, health education and training, health system navigation and resource coordination services, care planning and follow-up care recommendations.

Impact

The bill is expected to have a significant effect on healthcare delivery in the state, particularly for populations with chronic illnesses who may have difficulties accessing traditional healthcare services. By requiring insurance policies to accept community health workers without unnecessary barriers, such as requiring additional supervision or payment for duplicate services, S0705 aims to improve access to necessary care and promote better health outcomes for vulnerable populations. This could lead to a more streamlined approach to health management, enhancing the coordination of care and potentially reducing overall healthcare costs in the long run.

Summary

S0705 is a bill aimed at expanding health insurance coverage for community health worker services in Rhode Island. Introduced by a group of Senators, the bill defines community health workers as trained professionals who provide essential services to patients with chronic health conditions. These services may include health coaching, education, care planning, and system navigation, specifically tailored to assist patients facing barriers to their health needs. The legislation mandates that all health insurance policies issued or renewed after January 1, 2026, must cover services provided by community health workers, thereby integrating these roles into the broader healthcare delivery system.

Contention

However, the bill has generated some debate regarding the integration of community health workers within the existing healthcare framework. Advocates for the bill assert that this inclusion will reduce healthcare disparities and improve patient engagement, while critics may voice concerns regarding the quality control and standardization of services provided by community health workers. As the scope of health insurance policies expands, there are also discussions surrounding the additional costs to insurers and whether these costs will ultimately be passed on to consumers, sparking further analysis on the financial sustainability of the mandate.