The bill amends several sections of the General Laws to require that all individual or group health insurance contracts issued in the state on or after January 1, 2026, provide comprehensive coverage for FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and related services. This coverage includes all FDA-approved contraceptive methods, voluntary sterilization procedures, patient education, counseling, and follow-up services. The bill mandates that plans cannot impose cost-sharing requirements such as deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for the coverage provided. Additionally, it allows for a twelve-month supply of contraceptives to be dispensed at once and prohibits any restrictions or delays on coverage, ensuring equal benefits for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents.

The bill accommodates religious employers by allowing them to exclude coverage for certain contraceptive methods that conflict with their religious beliefs; however, this exclusion does not apply to contraceptive services provided for non-contraceptive medical purposes. Furthermore, it mandates that health insurance issuers must not restrict reimbursement for dispensing covered contraceptives for up to 365 days at a time. The commissioner is tasked with monitoring compliance, conducting random reviews, and engaging stakeholders in the rule-making process to ensure adherence to the new regulations.

Statutes affected:
268: 27-18-57, 27-19-48, 27-20-43, 27-41-59
268  SUB A: 27-18-57, 27-19-48, 27-20-43, 27-41-59