Rhode Island Medicaid & RIte Care

Rhode Island Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for children, pregnant people, parents, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income adults. RIte Care is the managed care part that covers most families and children. Apply online through the HealthyRhode portal, or call HealthSource RI at 1-855-840-4774. The state's information hub is staycovered.ri.gov.

The change that matters most is the expansion. Rhode Island adopted the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion, so adults ages 19 to 64 can qualify, including adults with no children. If you were turned down for Medicaid before, apply again, because the rules that cover you may be different now.

Income is measured against the Federal Poverty Level, and each group has its own limit. For 2026, 100 percent of poverty is $15,960 a year for one person, $21,640 for two, $27,320 for three, and $33,000 for a family of four. Children, pregnant people, parents, and adults each have their own pathway, so the surest way to learn where you fit is to apply and let the state run the numbers.

There are several coverage pathways under one program. Along with Affordable Care Coverage for adults, the state runs Katie Beckett for certain children with disabilities, Medicaid for Elders and Adults with Disabilities, and Sherlock, which is Medicaid for working people with disabilities. Each has its own income or asset rules.

Coverage is reviewed once a year. Every year the state checks each household's information to confirm you are still eligible, and this yearly step is called a renewal. Watch your mail and respond fast, because a missed renewal is a common reason coverage stops. New federal laws are also changing Medicaid rules, reporting steps, and renewal timelines during 2026 and 2027, and the state says it will notify enrollees before changes take effect.

You can apply at any time, so there is no open-enrollment window to wait for. Keep your address and phone number current with the state so renewal notices reach you. While your application is processed, 2-1-1 can point you to a community health center that treats patients regardless of coverage.