Requires health plans that provide prescription benefits to cover at least one type of glucagon auto-injector, nasal spray, or formulation that does not require reconstitution to treat hypoglycemia. No copayment or deductible would be required.
Summary
H5173 would require most Rhode Island health insurance plans that include prescription drug coverage to cover at least one form of glucagon for treating hypoglycemia, including a glucagon auto-injector, nasal spray, or another formulation that does not require reconstitution. The mandate would apply to individual and group policies delivered, issued, renewed, or prescribed in the state on or after January 1, 2026, though insurers would be allowed to offer the benefit earlier.
The bill also specifies that covered plans must provide two glucagon devices or doses per 12-month plan year without any copayment or deductible. An exception is included for health plans paired with federally qualified health savings accounts, where a deductible may still apply. The measure amends multiple chapters of Rhode Island insurance law so the requirement applies across different types of insurers, including accident and sickness policies, nonprofit hospital service corporations, nonprofit medical service corporations, and health maintenance organizations.
Impact
If enacted, H5173 would add a new statewide coverage mandate for glucagon hypoglycemia medications and require insurers to pay for these products as a preventive/emergency diabetes-related benefit. It would directly affect insurers, health maintenance organizations, and other health plans offering prescription coverage in Rhode Island, and would likely improve access for people with diabetes or others at risk of severe hypoglycemia by reducing out-of-pocket costs and barriers to obtaining emergency glucagon.
Sentiment
The bill text and findings reflect a strongly supportive posture toward expanding access to a life-saving medication, emphasizing the urgency of glucagon use in emergencies and the problem of underuse due to cost. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no recorded opposition or amendment debate in the available materials. Based on the bill’s framing, the overall sentiment appears favorable and public-health oriented.
Contention
The main policy issue embedded in the bill is cost-sharing: the proposal eliminates copayments and deductibles for the covered glucagon products, which could draw concern from insurers or employers about premium impacts. The only explicit carve-out is for health plans tied to federally qualified health savings accounts, where deductibles may still apply to preserve federal tax-advantaged plan rules. No other specific points of contention are documented in the provided record.