Health plans cover state-recommended vaccines without cost sharing

Health plans must cover vaccinations recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health without cost sharing. This applies to individual and group medical service contracts, hospital or medical expense insurance policies, and health plans delivered, issued, or renewed in Rhode Island. This applies to plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027.

The medical assistance program must cover vaccinations recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health without cost sharing. This covers all Medicaid beneficiaries, whether enrolled in fee-for-service or managed care. Coverage applies to the extent permitted under federal law. Coverage starts January 1, 2027.

Medicaid managed care organizations under contract with the state must cover vaccinations recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health without cost sharing. This applies to Medicaid managed care organizations under contract with the executive office of health and human services. Coverage applies to the extent permitted under federal law. Coverage starts January 1, 2027.

The director of administration must ensure state employee and retiree health programs cover vaccinations recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health without cost sharing. This applies to health benefit programs for state employees and retirees. Coverage starts January 1, 2027.

The Healthcare Provider Shield chapter defines providing or trying to provide certain routine vaccines as protected healthcare activity, and helping someone receive them as aiding that activity. These definitions concern people who provide or try to provide the specified vaccines, and people who help them do so. The vaccine must be a routine childhood or adult vaccine under § 23-1-44. The chapter excludes conduct that violates Rhode Island law or could support a civil, criminal, or administrative case under state law if it occurred entirely within Rhode Island.