Rhode Island bill would require 125% of Medicare pay for doctors

A bill introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives would require health insurers to reimburse doctors at least 125% of Medicare rates.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Donald Lally, and Rhode Island urologist Joseph Cambio, MD, wrote in an opinion article in the Providence Journal newspaper in December that low commercial reimbursements in their state were forcing new doctors to establish practices in neighboring states. "Insurers must properly reimburse physicians for the care they provide. If they are unwilling to do it voluntarily, we need to mandate it by law," they wrote. The bill, which was introduced in March, was in the House Finance Committee as of early April.