Rhode Island Medicaid: Income Limits, Eligibility and How to Apply
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Medicaid in Rhode Island is run by the Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Rhode Island adopted the Affordable Care Act expansion in 2014, so an adult under 65 qualifies on income alone at or below 138% of the poverty guideline: $1,835 a month for one person in 2026. Children are covered through RIte Care, and the application is at healthsourceri.com or 855-840-4774. Every figure below is dated 2026-09-23.
| Program | Rhode Island Medicaid (RIte Care for families) |
|---|---|
| Children | RIte Care |
| Agency | Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services |
| Apply | healthsourceri.com · 855-840-4774 |
| Expansion | Yes, since 2014 |
| Adult income limit, 2026 | $22,025 a year for one person; $45,540 for four |
| Work requirement | federal deadline January 1, 2027 |
| Plans | Members choose among Neighborhood, Tufts and UnitedHealthcare plans. |
Who qualifies in Rhode Island
Adults 19 to 64 not on Medicare qualify at or below 138% of poverty (133% plus a 5% disregard), on household modified adjusted gross income, with no asset test. The 2026 figures:
| Household size | Annual income at 138% | Monthly | 100% of poverty (marketplace floor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $22,025 | $1,835 | $15,960 |
| 2 | $29,863 | $2,489 | $21,640 |
| 3 | $37,702 | $3,142 | $27,320 |
| 4 | $45,540 | $3,795 | $33,000 |
| 5 | $53,378 | $4,448 | $38,680 |
Computed from the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (January 15, 2026).
Children (RIte Care), pregnant women, parents, seniors and people with disabilities use other limits that Rhode Island sets above the federal minimums.
How Rhode Island compares
Rhode Island expanded on the first day it could, January 1, 2014, with the original group of states. On the work requirement it is not among the early starters (Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska), so members have until January 1, 2027. Rhode Island uses the plain "Medicaid" name, so the card and letters say what they are.
How to apply for Rhode Island Medicaid
- Apply online at healthsourceri.com, or call 855-840-4774. HealthCare.gov also takes Medicaid applications and forwards them to Rhode Island. There is no enrollment period; any day works.
- Report this month's income. Choose a plan when asked, or one is assigned.
A Rhode Island Medicaid case also qualifies you for a free phone (Rhode Island carriers, paperwork) and shares documents with Rhode Island SNAP.
What changes in Rhode Island
Rhode Island has not announced a start date for the federal work requirement, so it takes effect on the federal deadline, January 1, 2027. Six-month renewals for expansion adults begin with renewals scheduled on or after January 1, 2027. The nationwide changes are on the hub with CMS sources.
Rhode Island specifics
- Dental runs as a separate program, RIte Smiles, and renewals are handled at StayCovered.RI.gov.
- Offices serve Providence, Cranston, Warwick and every county; hospitals and health centers also employ enrollment assisters.
Whether Rhode Island Medicaid pays for dental or weight-loss drugs is Rhode Island's choice; see does Medicaid cover.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Rhode Island for 2026?
$22,025 a year for one adult, $29,863 for two and $45,540 for four (138% of the 2026 poverty guideline); children go higher through RIte Care.
Does Rhode Island have a Medicaid work requirement?
From January 1, 2027, the federal deadline; Rhode Island has not set an earlier date. It applies to expansion adults 19 to 64 at 80 hours a month, with exemptions listed on the hub.
Sources
- Rhode Island Medicaid: state program page
- HHS: 2026 poverty guidelines
- HealthCare.gov: Medicaid expansion and you (138%)
- Federal Register: community engagement interim final rule (June 3, 2026)
- CMS: 2025 law section-by-section overview
Gov-Grants.org is an independent guide, not a carrier and not a government agency. We never charge fees, and every fact above links to its source with the date we checked it. Program details change; confirm on the official site before applying.