Rhode Island HB 7454: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE (Establishes a special enrollment provision for pregnant women to obtain health insurance coverage at any time after the commencement of the pregnancy.)

Bill Text

2022 -- H 7454 SUBSTITUTE A
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LC004430/SUB A
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022
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A N A C T
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE
Introduced By: Representatives Cassar, Felix, Williams, Morales, Slater, Caldwell,
Craven, Hull, Fenton-Fung, and McGaw
Date Introduced: February 11, 2022
Referred To: House Health & Human Services

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 27-18.5 of the General Laws entitled "Individual Health Insurance 1
Coverage" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
27-18.5-10.1. Spe cial e nrollme nt - Pre gnancy. 3
(a) In general. A carrier shall establish a special enrollment period that allows for the 4
enrollment of a pregnant individua l at any time after the commencement of the pregnancy. 5
Coverage shall be effective as of the first of the month in which the pregnant individua l applies for 6
coverage. This special enrollment period shall be applicable to all health insurance coverage offered 7
by a carrier. 8
(b) Non-interference with federal and state law. Nothing in subsection (a) of this section 9
shall be construed to conflict with or preempt any other applicable requirements for enrollment in 10
health insurance coverage under federal and state law. The special enrollment period described in 11
subsection (a) is in addition to any other special enrollment periods that are required under federal 12
and state law. 13
SECTION 2. Chapter 27-18.6 of the General Laws entitled "Large Group Health Insurance 14
Coverage" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 15
27-18.6-3.1. Spe cial e nrollme nt - Pre gnancy. 16
(a) In general. A group health plan and a carrier shall establish a special enrollment period 17
that allows for the enrollment of a pregnant individua l at any time after the commencement of the 18
pregnancy. Coverage shall be effective as of the first of the month in which the pregnant individual 19

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applies for coverage. This special enrollment period shall be applicable to all group health insurance 1
coverage and health insurance coverage offered by a group health plan or a carrier. 2
(b) Non-interference with federal and state law. Nothing in subsection (a) of this section 3
shall be construed to conflict with or preempt any other applicable requirements for enrollment in 4
health insurance coverage under federal and state law. The special enrollment period described in 5
subsection (a) is in addition to any other special enrollment periods that are required under federal 6
and state law. 7
SECTION 3. Chapter 27-50 of the General Laws entitled "Small Employer Health 8
Insurance Availability Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 9
27-50-18. Spe cial e nrollme nt - Pre gnancy. 10
(a) In general. A carrier shall establish a special enrollment period that allows for the 11
enrollment of a pregnant individua l at any time after the commencement of the pregnancy. 12
Coverage shall be effective as of the first of the month in which the pregnant individua l applies for 13
coverage. This special enrollment period shall be applicable to all health benefit plans subject to 14
this chapter. 15
(b) Non-interference with federal and state law. Nothing in subsection (a) of this section 16
shall be construed to conflict with or preempt any other applicable requirements for enrollment in 17
health insurance coverage under federal and state law. The special enrollment period described in 18
subsection (a) is in addition to any other special enrollment periods that are required under federal 19
and state law. 20
SECTION 4. Chapter 42-157 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Health Benefit 21
Exchange" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 22
42-157-15. Spe cial e nrollme nt - Pre gnancy. 23
(a) In general. The exchange may establish a special enrollment period that allows for the 24
enrollment of a pregnant individua l at any time after the commencement of the pregnancy. If 25
established, coverage shall be effective as of the first of the month in which the pregnant individual 26
applies for coverage. 27
(b) Non-interference with federal and state law. Nothing in subsection (a) of this section 28
shall be construed to conflict with or preempt any other applicable requirements for enrollment in 29
a qualified health plan under federal and state law. The special enrollment period described in 30
subsection (a) is in addition to any other special enrollment periods that are required under federal 31
and state law. 32

LC004430/SUB A - Page 3 of 4
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2023, and shall apply to all health 1
insurance policies issued or renewed thereafter. 2
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO INSURANCE -- INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSUR