STATE HOUSE — The Rhode Island Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Valarie J. Lawson to establish several consumer protections related to Medicare supplemental insurance plans.
“Addressing Medicare supplement coverage, which can be complicated and difficult to navigate, is extremely important to ensuring seniors can get the best possible care while protecting their financial security. In 2023, I was proud to sponsor a law protecting seniors from denial of, or higher rates for, supplemental Medicare coverage based on pre-existing conditions. This legislation to create new consumer protections will provide additional consistency in the market and expand choice for Rhode Islanders, and I am grateful to OHIC and Commissioner Cory King for their work on this issue. Making health care accessible and affordable for all Rhode Islanders, including seniors, continues to be a top priority for me and my Senate colleagues,” said President Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).
President Lawson’s legislation (2025-S 0610A), submitted on behalf of the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner, provides several new protections related to Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap. It would also align Rhode Island’s Medicare supplement market with other states in the region. These plans help Medicare patients cover out-of-pocket costs that their original plans do not cover.
The legislation would provide flexibility for consumers through an annual open enrollment period for supplemental policies. It would also move Rhode Island to a community rating structure for Medicare Supplement plans as of January 1, 2026, and allow OHIC to bill insurance companies for the cost of rate filings, including actuarial services.
Representative Kathleen A. Fogarty (D-Dist. 35, South Kingstown) has submitted similar legislation (2025-H 5494) on behalf of OHIC in the House of Representatives.
For more information, contact:
Greg Pare, Director of Communications for the Senate
State House Room 112
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 276-5558
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