Proposed RI Law Would Require Coverage For COVID-19 Care

PROVIDENCE, RI — The Rhode Island Senate approved a bill that would require health insurance providers to cover all treatments related to COVID-19 while Rhode Island's emergency order is in effect. This includes testing, treatment and vaccinations, with no out-of-pocket cost to the insured.

If signed into law, the bill would also require full coverage of COVID-19 tests and vaccines in perpetuity.

"Out-of-pocket expenses can be a huge financial barrier for many when it comes to seeking medical treatment," said Sen. Alana DiMario, the bill's sponsor. "We want to remove as many barriers as possible for people who are trying to access testing, vaccination and treatment. From a public health perspective, we need to continue to have a collective response to this pandemic in terms of the health of our communities."

While Rhode Island's emergency order remains in effect, Gov. Dan McKee previously indicated that it could be lifted this summer. So far, insurance companies have agreed to cover all COVID-19 related treatment without copays, though some have indicated that full coverage will end once the order is lifted.

A notable example is Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Rhode Island, which announced in March that it would no longer fully cover COVID-19 treatments starting in April. The company quickly reversed the decision following backlash from the public and state leaders.

With many Rhode Islanders still unvaccinated, the legislation is a way to plan ahead, DiMario said.

"We want to be ready for any variants and prevent any further outbreaks before they happen," she said. "We also have large segments of our population, particularly children, who haven’t been vaccinated yet; and we could conceivably reach a point where the state of emergency is over before many of our children are eligible for the vaccine. By including that provision, we can ensure that there will be no cost-sharing for the vaccine after the state of emergency ends."

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.