The bill amends the General Laws in two chapters, enhancing the rights of home care patients and specifying required provisions in accident and sickness insurance policies. In Chapter 23-17.16, a new right is inserted as subsection (22) in Section 23-17.16-5, granting home care patients the right to receive services regardless of whether they are at their permanent or temporary residence. No rights are deleted from this section, maintaining existing patient rights such as non-discrimination, refusal of care, freedom from abuse, confidentiality, and being informed about care plans and costs. In Chapter 27-18-3, the bill details mandatory provisions for insurance policies, including the entire contract, time limits on defenses, grace periods for premium payments, and terms for policy reinstatement. The bill does not indicate any deletions from the current law.

The bill also outlines the process for reinstating lapsed policies, the handling of claims, and the payment of indemnities, including provisions for minor or incompetent beneficiaries. It defines "medical services" and mandates that health insurance policies must include a minimum home health care benefit, covering a variety of services but excluding communicable diseases and mental illnesses. The coverage must extend to care provided at the insured's primary or temporary residence. New legal language requires that all individual or group health insurance contracts in Rhode Island, as of January 1, 2025, must cover home health care services at any residence. The bill aims to ensure continuous home care service coverage and is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
2388  SUB A: 23-17.16-5, 27-18-3
2388: 23-17.16-5, 27-18-3