This bill amends various chapters of the General Laws related to health insurance by introducing a new requirement for coverage of buprenorphine, a medication used in the treatment of opioid addiction. Specifically, it mandates that every individual or group health insurance contract, plan, or policy that provides prescription coverage and is delivered, issued for delivery, prescribed, or renewed in the state on or after January 1, 2027, must include coverage for at least one type of buprenorphine for each form of administration. Importantly, the bill stipulates that there shall be no copayment required and no deductible that needs to be met by the policyholder within a twelve-month plan year, although a deductible may be applied for health plans paired with a federally qualified health savings account.

The bill is structured to amend Chapters 27-18, 27-19, 27-20, and 27-41 of the General Laws, each adding a section specifically addressing buprenorphine coverage. It also clarifies that nothing in the new provisions would prevent health plans from implementing this benefit prior to the mandated date of January 1, 2027. The act is set to take effect upon passage.