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Senate requires commercial insurers to cover certified community health workers
Summary
S705 passed unanimously to require commercial insurers to cover services provided by state-certified community health workers, with sponsors saying the measure will stabilize funding and expand access to community-based care.
Providence — The Rhode Island Senate passed S705, a measure to require commercial insurance policies to cover the work of state-certified community health workers.
Senator Demario, sponsor of the bill, told the Senate that community health workers "stand in a lot of the gaps where our traditional health care providers do not work" and stressed that current funding largely relies on Medicaid and grants, creating an unstable workforce. He argued that requiring commercial coverage would strengthen the continuum of care and broaden access.
The clerk recorded 34 votes in the affirmative and zero opposed; the act passed. The floor record does not include a fiscal note or a detailed implementation timetable.
