Press Release from the General Assembly website: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us

10/29/2009 Bills mandate coverage for smoking cessation medications

STATE HOUSE – Legislation has been approved by the General Assembly that will require individual or group health insurance policies that include prescription drug coverage to cover FDA approved smoking cessation medications.

Covered under the legislation will be over-the-counter or prescription smoking cessation medications recommended or prescribed by a licensed health care provider. The covered medications will be those used in accordance with FDA approval for not more than two courses of medication of up to 14 weeks each, annually, and used in combination with an annual outpatient benefit of 16 one-half hour evidence-based smoking cessation counseling sessions.

The legislation, which now goes to the governor for his consideration, will, if enacted, become law on January 1, 2010.

The House bill approved by the legislature,(2009-H5823B) , was sponsored by former Rep. Thomas C. Slater (D-Dist. 10, Providence), who died earlier this year of cancer.

The Senate bill, (2009-S0540A), was introduced by Sen. Rhoda E. Perry (D-Dist. 3, Providence).

While the legislation specifies the annual outpatient benefit of 16 one-half hour counseling sessions, it provides that smoking cessation treatment may be redefined through regulation by the state’s Health Insurance Commissioner, in accordance with the most current clinical practice guidelines sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

For more information, contact:
Randall T. Szyba, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2457