Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

Rhode Island Senate Bill S2806

Introduced
3/4/26  

Caption

Requires the state and private health insurers to reimburse claims for healthcare services provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the same amount as the reimbursement paid to a physician performing the service in the area served.

Impact

The implementation of S2806 is expected to significantly affect both state laws and the healthcare landscape within Rhode Island. By ensuring equal reimbursement rates, the bill aims to enhance the financial viability of independent practice for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, thereby potentially increasing their presence in the healthcare system. As a result, this could lead to improved access to healthcare services for residents, especially in underserved areas where these professionals often operate. However, the bill stipulates that insurers cannot lower payments to physicians to comply with the new guidelines, which preserves current payment structures for doctors.

Summary

Bill S2806 seeks to amend existing Rhode Island laws related to insurance, specifically focusing on the reimbursement structures for healthcare providers. The primary stipulation of the bill mandates that private and state health insurers reimburse claims from licensed nurse practitioners and physician assistants at an equivalent rate to that of licensed physicians for similar services. This includes any healthcare service falling within their lawful scope of practice, such as primary care and mental health services. The bill is designed to promote pay equity among healthcare providers and aims to eliminate the disparity in reimbursement based on the provider's professional title.

Contention

Despite its equity-driven goals, S2806 may face contention regarding its financial implications for health insurers and the larger insurance market. Concerns may arise among insurers about the fiscal capacity to sustain these new reimbursement requirements, given that they must accommodate equal pay without reducing compensations for physicians. Furthermore, some stakeholders might argue that the bill could lead to an influx of providers within certain specialties, potentially saturating the market and impacting existing practitioners' patient loads. These debates about sustainability and fairness in payment structures could play a crucial role in the discussions around the bill's potential passage and implementation.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

RI S0701

Allows advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and physicians who are and are not licensed in Rhode Island to provide telemedicine services to patients who are in the state when those services are rendered.

RI H5790

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $90,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO SUPPORT PHYSICIAN REIMBURSEMENT RATE INCREASES IN THE RHODE ISLAND MEDICAID PROGRAM (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $90,000,000 to the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services to be invested in increasing reimbursement rates for all physicians and advanced practice providers.)

RI S0873

JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $90,000,000 TO THE RHODE ISLAND EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO SUPPORT PHYSICIAN REIMBURSEMENT RATE INCREASES IN THE RHODE ISLAND MEDICAID PROGRAM (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $90,000,000 to the Rhode Island executive office of health and human services to be invested in increasing reimbursement rates for all physicians and advanced practice providers.)

RI H5628

Mandates all health insurance contracts, plans, or policies provide the same reimbursement to independent healthcare facilities as that of hospital affiliated facilities where the same healthcare service is provided.

RI S0695

Recognizes the program run by the Rhode Island Medical Society or comparable program for physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and podiatrists, to address burnout, substance abuse, and mental and physical health issues.

RI H6036

Recognizes the program run by the Rhode Island Medical Society or comparable program for physicians, physician assistants, dentists, and podiatrists, to address burnout, substance abuse, and mental and physical health issues.

RI S1004

Requires the executive office of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment for reimbursement for health services in a school.

RI H6308

Requires the executive office of health and human services to apply to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a state plan amendment for reimbursement for health services in a school.

RI S0305

Establishes the right of a medical practitioner, healthcare institution, or healthcare payer not to participate in or pay for any medical procedure or service this violates their conscience.

RI S0793

Increases individual, group, and Medicaid insurance rates of reimbursement for ambulance and wheelchair van services to be equal to reimbursement rates provided by Medicare for the same medical services.

Similar Bills

CA AB2292

Disability benefits: certificates.

RI H8135

Requires the state and private health insurers to reimburse claims for healthcare services provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants at the same amount as the reimbursement paid to a physician performing the service in the area served.

RI H5256

Provides for equal pay for healthcare providers.

IA HF556

A bill for an act relating to health insurers' credentialing process.(See HF 875.)

MD SB326

Physician Assistants and Midwives - Parity With Other Health Care Practitioners (Physician Assistant Parity Act of 2026)

MD HB377

Physician Assistants and Midwives - Parity With Other Health Care Practitioners

CA AB2622

Nurse Practitioner Advisory Committee.

CA AB583

Death certificates.