Rhode IslandH85952026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE POLICIES .

Sponsored By: Michelle E. McGaw (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Guaranteed Medigap access for seniors and disabled

Medicare enrollees in Rhode Island get more guaranteed access to Medigap. If you are under 65 on Medicare for disability or end-stage renal disease, any issuer that offers Plan A must sell you Plan A. Apply in the first six months after you first qualify for Part B, or in another period the commissioner sets. Issuers cannot use health status or do individual underwriting. If you had Plan A for disability, you get a six-month open enrollment starting the month you turn 65 (while you stay in Parts A and B) to choose any Medigap plan an issuer offers. Each year during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, if you kept credible coverage with no gap over 90 days since your first Medigap open enrollment, you have guaranteed-issue rights to any Medigap plan for coverage starting January 1. Under-65 disabled enrollees in Medicare Advantage or Plan A also have guaranteed-issue access to every Plan A an issuer sells.

Limits on Medigap exclusions and duplicates

Medigap policies cannot duplicate Medicare benefits. They also cannot deny benefits for a loss that happens more than six months after your policy starts because of a preexisting condition. A preexisting condition only counts if you got medical advice or treatment for it in the six months before your policy started.

Stronger oversight of Medigap plans

The Insurance Commissioner sets minimum standards for Medigap premiums, benefits, claims payment, marketing, compensation, and reporting. The Commissioner can set detailed rules on renewability, eligibility, and benefit limits, and can ban unjust or unfair policy terms. State rules can require refunds or credits if loss-ratio standards are not met and use a uniform loss-ratio method. The state reviews policy forms and proposed premium increases, with public access to information and hearings before increases, including at least 10 days’ notice to subscribers. Standards also cover Medicare Select policies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Michelle E. McGaw
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

Lauren H. Carson
Democratic • House
Megan L. Cotter
Democratic • House
Anthony J. DeSimone
Democratic • House
Susan R. Donovan
Democratic • House
Kathleen A. Fogarty
Democratic • House
Katherine S. Kazarian
Democratic • House
Rebecca M. Kislak
Democratic • House
Brandon C. Potter
Democratic • House
June Speakman
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 67 • No: 5

House vote • 6/9/2026

MEDICARE INSURANCE POLICIES PASSAGE