[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6612711,"mediaKeyId","2888874-e754642424e65a1345b808e64e69a494","parentId",2888874,"title","Committee hears competing Medigap proposals to expand enrollment rights and change rating rules; bills held","audioSeconds",2427,"startMs",726000,"endMs",3153000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888874-e754642424e65a1345b808e64e69a494&start=726&end=3153","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888874-e754642424e65a1345b808e64e69a494/thumbnail_726000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6612711/Rhode-Island/Committee-hears-competing-Medigap-proposals-to-expand-enrollment-rights-and-change-rating-rules-bills-held","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612711-4fcc26a35040c0707f4ad5fdf8575bc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135359&Signature=HSQ8rrazn4o7U0z4Z9A6AZqgGTY2uvzfewbaRH4Y-q4uSUIQia12uobpy9Lu~O0REa1Cxj9JRSTpIlojpiL~2HyvGS4CTcqYt0LUru1ZNqMWZqjL95Lj7ObWMlCpqzfpUpCJ27mSj1C2B7nAjPzr1hsxbyxSQx5-4kJL8X2BAe6ZeCE-wJV~SctucCjD4cRkdrJbAPeEtyroWbF9bGHtnU5qHfgU2fu0JLBAO2GhoT1mp-lk6qKTtA0d8-ihnbiQSLgX9VNu39aWSGz0cIT3I~3sjO87BIx-wNNaJ33Bsf~xnd8vFXcuyw0GWAgiGvabV0cbWyarTQKJdD56JO2KsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Rhode Island","date","2025-04-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services heard three related measures on April 3 that seek to change how Medicare supplement (Medigap) policies are issued and rated in Rhode Island. Leader Lawson sponsored S.B. 610 (with S.B. 167 introduced together), and Senator Ujifusa presented S.B. 267; all three were held by the committee.

Corey King of the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) told the committee S.B. 610 aims to “create more consistent market rules” for Medigap by allowing an annual open enrollment period with guaranteed‑issue rights, shifting rating from attained‑age to community rating (so all enrollees pay the same rate), and authorizing OHIC in some cases to bill insurers for actuarial review costs. King noted community rating would raise premiums for younger enrollees while lowering them later in life, and recommended aligning any enrollment window with federal guidance.

Witnesses who testified in support included Matthew Neto of AARP Rhode Island; insurance agent Joe Sanappi and several individual residents described how underwriting can penalize beneficiaries who later leave Medicare Advantage for traditional Medicare. Sanappi gave examples of clients who faced substantially higher premiums when changing plans after a health event. AARP and other supporters asked for an enrollment window aligned with federal rules.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island expressed concerns about affordability and the risk of adverse selection under community rating. Rich Glucksman of Blue Cross noted Rhode Island’s relatively high Medigap take‑up among traditional Medicare beneficiaries (the testimony cites 43.8%) compared with lower percentages in other states and cautioned that changes to rating and enrollment could pressure premiums.

Senator Ujifusa (sponsor of S.B. 267) urged broader changes: a continuous enrollment period (allowing beneficiaries to switch anytime) and extending guarantee‑issue protections to plans beyond Plan A (she cited state data showing roughly 40,000 Rhode Islanders have Medigap, with about 8,10 having Plan A and about 20,000 each on Plans C and F). Supporters and opponents agreed on the importance of aligning any state rule with federal enrollment windows for people leaving Medicare Advantage.

After questions and testimony from OHIC, AARP, insurers, producers and residents, the committee voted to hold S.B. 610, S.B. 167 and S.B. 267 for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Committee on Health & Human Services: 4-3-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on April 3 considered S.B. 610 and S.B. 167 (Leader Lawson) and S.B. 267 (Senator Ujifusa), bills that would expand guaranteed‑issue rights and change rating rules for Medicare supplement policies.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature RI, Rhode Island","taxId",77689,"location","Rhode Island","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612714,"Committee holds bill to let public‑health dental hygienists be reimbursed by third‑party payers",257,152000,409000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888874-e754642424e65a1345b808e64e69a494&start=152&end=409","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888874-e754642424e65a1345b808e64e69a494/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6612714/Rhode-Island/Committee-holds-bill-to-let-publichealth-dental-hygienists-be-reimbursed-by-thirdparty-payers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612714-ad82027b82f4b4c58bac34442a5b0db1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135359&Signature=VRUDdmuYalBAqmPwlSiSYNa7iY2u2xQQRCmznGPXKIL3cSQjsmyoMheOGZWUFV0BtZXRF8CUsO9hfQNxMJa~3PHhftbK1Nc7irKVLr1AadSRrGjxe-DFg6tGVfQOH0xEY2deDSNrkYQeymM7GaHj2B0WJJKxBPA2Fi2iHtNli-59Flzaa~B5G37tp9QPG-grIi4KS-QrTFHotjVI5iS5nUNtgDXV4uIBqZNiJmFVtVXsfETD3OK772Gkk9x-D3j7EYg7313WeqCPPHxolizfeKu7PCQAP2ZTkR9W-Xe8bHjJKoj0YnfIl0SYVD7kRRcERO1WTxNVtqKxRc0EOTWmZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","President Gallo presented Senate Bill 609 on April 3, a measure to permit reimbursement to dental hygienists from other insurance or third‑party payers — including Medicare — and to allow public‑health dental hygienists to perform preventive procedures in settings such as schools, nursing homes and mobile health programs without direct dentist supervision.

President Gallo told the committee the bill requires a written collaborative agreement with a dentist or government agency, patient consent forms and guidance for Medicaid and state program reimbursement. She said the measure is intended to address an insufficient number of dentists and to increase access to preventive services for elderly and pediatric populations.

An EOHHS official who identified themselves in the hearing record as Sam Ziskinbaum said public‑health dental hygienists have been authorized in statute since 2016 and that Rhode Island currently has roughly 71 such hygienists who can work in schools, assisted‑living facilities and homes. The witness described silver diamine fluoride as “a caries arresting material” used in some preventive programs and said allowing hygienists to apply it in schools or congregate settings could reduce emergency dental problems among children.

Several organizations submitted written support; one witness (Matt Netto from AARP RI) was listed as written support. After testimony the committee voted to hold the bill. The motion to hold was made and seconded on the record, and the committee announced S.B. 609 was held for further consideration.","President Gallo and witnesses described S.B. 609 to allow public‑health dental hygienists to perform certain services in schools, nursing homes and mobile programs without direct dentist supervision and to permit reimbursement by Medicare and other third‑party payers; the committee held the bill after testimony from EOHHS and written supporters.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612718,"Senate committee holds bill to let LICSWs bill fee-for-service Medicaid directly",0,3069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888874-e754642424e65a1345b808e64e69a494&start=3069&end=3069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888874-e754642424e65a1345b808e64e69a494/thumbnail_3069000.jpg","/articles/6612718/Rhode-Island/Senate-committee-holds-bill-to-let-LICSWs-bill-fee-for-service-Medicaid-directly","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612718-5b138d85cf0054660a200b15c97c5059/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135359&Signature=XpYoSxK2aApi-m0uEMLSm5ihkALn6Cuyl4qxRA7jx5SK8~VT~qCaW95Bt0DChrCRCX6RbHJHZzfULHAapjUjkQwnzQZ8itTbA9qasvanw6yPUR1Z1-mAbgLExT~mA~BK8sifFgymHGPKZFThwDGiPpF-S4OMmPLGf4ucO2ntZ5IXrpdRNKr4AH5IufIPPB9luV5pHBh3DrHlQU1cjA6bMrWaQoQoI900qPWSA2ZTfzaYRE-NboHcqA4G-cUz0jIYWOCLofu1d-r6L5yn3oCLHRs0M1Br7NlCxYKnkKMVo5hGH5rpRiCckeYWWV-Q6KLFrYkHe6~30EHWS-QhTIFqbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on April 3 heard Senate Bill 874, introduced by Senator DeMario, to allow licensed independent clinical social workers (LICSWs) to enroll with and bill Medicaid directly for covered services provided to adults with fee‑for‑service Medicaid coverage.

Senator DeMario told the committee the measure is “a relatively straightforward bill” intended to “connect people with the appropriate mental health care services that they need and close a gap that exists with people who have LICSWs not being able to bill the state directly for fee for service Medicaid.” He also noted a drafting error in the bill text and said the authority to make rules should rest with the secretary of EOHHS rather than the director as written.

Grace Duffy of CPNRI signed in in support but did not speak. No opponents testified at the hearing.

After testimony, the panel voted to hold the bill for further consideration. Motion to hold was made by Senator Erso and seconded by Senator Valverde (recorded as “second” in the transcript); the committee announced the bill was held.

The hearing record shows limited debate: the sponsor described the policy gap and an intended technical fix to the rule‑making language, one stakeholder submitted written support, and the committee chose to hold the bill for follow up rather than advance it that day.","Sen. DeMario presented S.B. 874 to allow licensed independent clinical social workers to enroll with and bill the state Medicaid program for covered services provided to adults on fee‑for‑service Medicaid; committee held the bill after brief testimony and one written support comment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6612706,"Senator Bell presses EOHHS data plan; committee holds bill after testimony on Equifax 'Work Number' concerns",234,3282000,3516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2888874-e754642424e65a1345b808e64e69a494&start=3282&end=3516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2888874-e754642424e65a1345b808e64e69a494/thumbnail_3282000.jpg","/articles/6612706/Rhode-Island/Senator-Bell-presses-EOHHS-data-plan-committee-holds-bill-after-testimony-on-Equifax-Work-Number-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6612706-336246fe5eff8c6bf353d6ba40b62f0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135359&Signature=DwLZhXMOwf16dQu34WQHN7cJx99sRwYR2CT91fKLbwJtTeKncFqjbNmlDEB6FyGw2uABnOhEB3~B7bi4zGDNAwKtHDKVkpcslWZWcFqz5v2P3McmI5WMAmo3JDMAHuQiDhBEqrX94rwS3e9t~Sd20VcifOBJuJCCgJmVbBD1t~iBi5vUBT5TdfmcarfHP883ff6TUI0vitm0kMGi1bKeUIDHipjIzzgCttwOCrpQ7-eHXj0f2ecvNErL7gdYSS3E1ahjTrLYltqrqIl9Yf-8kFJ0bw7LmrI8yXtPezK1cdzWfzjRFZvs6KyhpvA3bGd7mxHkm3MCbEKqgvbEYsklJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Bell told the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services on April 3 that a policy change in budget materials would shift Medicaid income verification from state data to a commercial data product from Equifax known as the Work Number. Bell said the Work Number contains employer‑reported salary and employment information, has an imperfect track record on data quality and ethics, and that errors could cause beneficiaries to lose coverage.

Bell also said the shift — which had been included in budget projections rather than standalone enabling legislation — could enable a move from quarterly income averaging to monthly eligibility determinations. He told the committee that change would mean beneficiaries who receive overtime or a short‑term income spike could lose Medicaid eligibility in a single month instead of being protected by multi‑month averaging. Bell said the administration has delayed full implementation and was working with advocates to address concerns, but he urged the General Assembly to require continued use of state data and fuller vetting.

Committee members asked whether EOHHS had confirmed plans to use the Work Number; Bell said some implementation steps had been delayed and credited EOHHS staff for listening to concerns, but noted the policy was embedded in budget projections. After discussion the committee voted to hold the bill for further review.","Senator Bell presented legislation addressing the state's planned use of commercial Equifax 'Work Number' data for Medicaid eligibility and a possible move to monthly eligibility; sponsor warned of data quality, breach risks and eligibility losses and the committee held the bill.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears competing Medigap proposals to expand enrollment rights and change rating rules; bills held

Committee holds bill to let public‑health dental hygienists be reimbursed by third‑party payers

Senate committee holds bill to let LICSWs bill fee-for-service Medicaid directly

Senator Bell presses EOHHS data plan; committee holds bill after testimony on Equifax 'Work Number' concerns