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HB 6158

AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mia Ackerman and 5 co-sponsors

Rhode Island requires most hospital/medical policies issued or renewed after Jan 1, 2026 to cover scalp cooling systems for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

04/10/2025 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 6158

Summary — HB 6158

Title: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE — ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE POLICIES
Bill No.: HB 6158
Status: 04/10/2025 — Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Introduced: April 2, 2025 (House, Reps. Ackerman, McNamara, Serpa, Fellela, McEntee, Diaz)

Note on document contents: the legislative text supplied also includes unrelated language from a separate (out‑of‑state or earlier) draft concerning criminal procedure forms. The primary substantive insurance measure described below is a Rhode Island bill that mandates insurance coverage for scalp cooling systems for certain breast cancer patients.

Purpose / Intent

The bill requires most hospital/medical insurance policies and HMO contracts issued, delivered, or renewed in Rhode Island to cover scalp cooling systems for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy, with the aim of preserving hair during treatment.

Key provisions

  • Adds mandatory coverage sections to Rhode Island General Laws chapters:
    • 27-18 (Accident & Sickness Insurance Policies) — new § 27-18-68.1
    • 27-19 (Nonprofit Hospital Service Corporations) — new § 27-19-59.1
    • 27-20 (Nonprofit Medical Service Corporations) — new § 27-20-54.1
    • 27-41 (Health Maintenance Organizations) — new § 27-41-71.1
  • Coverage requirement: every individual or group hospital/medical expense insurance policy or hospital/medical services plan contract delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in Rhode Island on or after January 1, 2026 must cover scalp cooling systems for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
  • Exemptions: the requirement does not apply to limited-benefit or non-major medical products, specifically including:
    • Hospital confinement indemnity, disability income, accident-only, long-term care, Medicare supplement, limited benefit health, specified disease indemnity, sickness or bodily injury or death by accident (and other limited benefit policies).

Who would be affected

  • Insurers, HMOs, and nonprofit hospital/medical service corporations offering covered hospital/medical expense or services plans in Rhode Island.
  • Individuals diagnosed with breast cancer and receiving chemotherapy in Rhode Island — they would be eligible for insurance coverage of scalp cooling systems (subject to plan terms).
  • Employers and purchasers of group coverage who may see plan design or premium adjustments to accommodate the new mandated benefit.

Timeline & status

  • Coverage applies to policies delivered/issued/renewed on or after January 1, 2026.
  • The act’s text states it “shall take effect upon passage,” but the coverage mandate explicitly targets policies effective on/after 1/1/2026.
  • Introduced in the House (4/2/2025); referred to House Health & Human Services. Committee action on 4/10/2025: recommended the measure be held for further study.

Implementation notes / considerations

  • The bill does not specify benefit limits, required clinical criteria, or administrative processes (prior authorization, provider networks, device types, reimbursement rates), leaving implementation details to insurers, regulators, or follow‑on rulemaking.
  • Potential impacts include insurer administrative changes, potential premium effects, and reduced out‑of‑pocket costs for eligible patients; exact fiscal effects are not provided in the bill text.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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