Rhode Island health plans cover state-recommended vaccines without cost sharing

Health insurance plans must cover vaccines recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Health without cost sharing. This applies to individual and group insurance policies and contracts 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 and its contracted managed care organizations must cover state-recommended vaccines without cost sharing. This covers Medicaid beneficiaries in fee-for-service and managed care, including people enrolled through managed care organizations under state contract. Coverage must follow federal law. This coverage starts January 1, 2027.

The state must provide coverage for state-recommended vaccines without cost sharing through health benefit programs for state employees and retirees. This applies to health benefit programs for state employees and retirees. This coverage starts January 1, 2027. The act took effect upon passage.

The healthcare provider shield counts providing or trying to provide certain routine vaccines as legally protected healthcare activity. This covers routine childhood and adult vaccines under the state immunization section, including those the health director finds necessary to protect public health. The definition excludes conduct that violates Rhode Island law or could support a legal action if it happened entirely in Rhode Island. The act took effect upon passage.

The health department’s immunization program includes routine vaccines recommended by named medical groups or found necessary by the health director, and an advisory committee reviews recommendations and proposals. The program and registry cover people in Rhode Island; the provision describes routine childhood and adult immunizations. Adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices are included only to the extent allowed by available funds. The director decides when to convene the committee after a recommendation; the committee assesses cost and feasibility, advises state health and insurance officials, and its recommendations are posted online.