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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 3 co-sponsors

Rhode Island would require insurers to cover medically necessary hormone therapy for peri-menopause and menopause, with at least one FDA-approved option in each modality.

06/02/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Summary of HB 8587 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Purpose and intent

The bill would mandate insurance coverage for hormone therapy to treat symptoms of peri-menopause and menopause.

Coverage applies to medically necessary hormone therapy recommended by a qualified healthcare provider.

The act targets various types of health insurance policies and would take effect for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Key provisions and changes

Coverage scope:

Applies to individual and group health insurance contracts, plans, or policies delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in Rhode Island.
Requires coverage for medically necessary hormone therapy to treat peri-menopause and menopause symptoms.

Required modalities and options:

Coverage must include at least one FDA-approved hormonal therapy and at least one FDA-approved non-hormonal therapy.
For hormone replacement therapy, insurers must cover at least one option in each modality: oral, transdermal, topical, and vaginal.

Applicability across multiple issuer types:

Sections establish the requirement for four types of health coverage entities:
Chapter 27-18: Accident and sickness insurance policies
Chapter 27-19: Nonprofit hospital service corporations
Chapter 27-20: Nonprofit medical service corporations
Chapter 27-41: Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
In all four sections, the same coverage requirements apply.

Effective date:

The mandate applies to policies delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

Enforcement and operating details:

The bill states that coverage must be provided for medically necessary therapy as determined by a licensed, accredited, or certified healthcare provider under Rhode Island law and proven safe and effective.

Who would be affected

Individuals and groups with health insurance plans in Rhode Island (private and nonprofit entities as specified by the chapters:

Accident and Sickness Insurance Policies
Nonprofit Hospital Service Corporations
Nonprofit Medical Service Corporations
Health Maintenance Organizations

Insurance issuers and administrators offering these types of plans in Rhode Island would be required to include the mandated hormonal and non-hormonal therapy coverage.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral:

Introduced May 27, 2026; referred to the House Health & Human Services Committee.

Take effect:

The act would take effect upon passage for the mandated provisions; actual operative date for coverage is January 1, 2027 for policy delivery/renewals.

Practical considerations and impact

Consumer impact:

Increased access to medically necessary hormone and non-hormonal therapies for peri-menopause and menopause symptoms.
Expanded therapeutic options across multiple administration modalities (oral, transdermal, topical, vaginal).

issuer impact:

Insurers would need to ensure coverage meets the “at least one approved option in each modality” requirement and that therapy is deemed medically necessary by a qualified provider.

Policy alignment:

Aligns Rhode Island insurance coverage practices with broader protections for women’s health and menopause-related treatment needs.

Note: The bill text specifies that the coverage mandate applies to policies issued on or after January 1, 2027, and would be enacted upon passage. It does not alter existing policies issued before that date unless renewed or delivered thereafter, per the stated effective date.