Health Coverage in
Rhode Island

Children and youth need access to affordable health coverage and high quality health care services, to succeed in school, meet developmental milestones, and reach their full potential. Rhode Island KIDS COUNT is committed to ensuring that all Rhode Island children have the coverage they need to keep them healthy.

In Rhode Island, 98% of children have health insurance. Children who have health insurance coverage are healthier and have fewer preventable hospitalizations. They are more likely to receive preventive care, be screened for the achievement of developmental milestones, miss fewer days of school and get treatment for illnesses and chronic conditions. Uninsured children are less likely to have a medical home and have fewer visits to doctors or dentists.

A child’s insurance status is closely associated with their parent’s coverage status; children are more likely to be insured if their parents also have health insurance.

Our Publications

Factbook Indicator

• Children's Health Insurance

Child Welfare Fact Sheet

• Focus on New Medicaid Coverage for Former Foster Youth, December 2013
  Beginning January 1, 2014, the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows youth who age out of foster care to have Medicaid coverage until age 26, regardless of their income. This provides former foster youth the same access to health coverage as other young adults, who are now allowed to remain on their parents’ commercial health coverage until age 26. 

Special Publications

• Rhode Island Children and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - For many years, our state and federal leaders have made a big investment in keeping kids healthy by increasing their access to health care coverage. Building on the success of RIte Care (Rhode Island’s Medicaid and CHIP Program), the Affordable Care Act (ACA) further helped children gain access to high-quality, affordable, comprehensive health and dental coverage. Please click here for a list of 16 items that are part of the ACA that directly benefit Rhode Island children. Please click here for the publication in Spanish.

• Former Foster Youth and Affordable Health Care - Previously, young adults who age out of foster care at 18 were eligible for RIte Care (Medicaid) until they are 21. Now, this health insurance coverage is extended until the youth turns age 26. Coverage is free and there is no income limit. This flyer outlines who is eligible and how to apply (English and Spanish).

• Immigrants and Affordable Health Care - Depending on their status, immigrants may be eligible for Medicaid and/or tax credits through HealthSource RI if they meet income and other eligibility requirements. This flyer outlines who may be eligible (English and Spanish).

• RIte Care Results 
  RIte Care is Rhode Island’s Medicaid/CHIP managed care program for children, parents and pregnant women. RIte Care offers quality, affordable health coverage to low-income and working Rhode Island families. Eligibility is based on household income and family size. There are no monthly premiums for RIte Care coverage. Families can apply for RIte Care at www.healthyrhode.ri.gov. Free and confidential assistance (phone and in-person) is available from HealthSource RI, Community Navigators, and DHS staff. For assistance from HealthSource RI, call (855) 840-4774. For assistance from DHS, call (401) 462-5300.
  
  Learn more about the RIte Care and how it is positively impacting the health of Rhode Island children and families through the following publications:
   

  • RIte Care Results, November 2014 

  • RIte Care Results, November 2013

  • RIte Care Results, November 2012

Children's Health Insurance E-News

• Please click here

Related Rhode Island KIDS COUNT TV Shows 

• June 2015 - Dr. Patricia Flanagan of Hasbro Children's Hospital, Dr. Elizabeth Lange of Waterman Pediatrics, and Elizabeth Burke Bryant of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT discuss the RIte Care Program's number one ranking, and Patient Centered Medical Homes.
• December 2014 - Chuck Jones (President/CEO of Thundermist Health Center) and Elaine Hardman (Vice-President, Chief Operations Officer of Providence Community Health Centers, Inc.) joined host Elizabeth Burke Bryant to discuss the importance of consistent, high quality health insurance to achieving positive health outcomes, as well as the importance of the RIte Care Program (which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary).

Related Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Resources

• Health Issues
• Health & Dental Legislation
• Oral Health

Additional Resources

Rhode Island

• The Executive Office of Health & Human Services assures access to high quality and cost effective services that foster the health, safety, and independence of all Rhode Islanders.
• HealthSource RI is Rhode Island's online health insurance marketplace. Just one application allows state residents to find out how they can qualify for low-cost or no-cost coverage and immediately enroll in a health and dental plan that's right for them.
• The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner was established by legislation in 2004 to broaden the accountability of health insurers operating in the state of Rhode Island.
• The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families is the state agency that oversees child welfare, children's behavioral health, and juvenile corrections in Rhode Island. This includes Medicaid coverage for former foster youth.
• The Rhode Island Department of Human Services offers a full continuum of services for families, adults, children, elders, individuals with disabilities and veterans. This includes Medicaid/RIte Care and Katie Beckett coverage.
• United Way/2-1-1 is Rhode Island's statewide resource center for information and referrals, and it comes with the support and expertise of a national network of referral experts.

National

• Annie E. Casey Foundation National Data Center – Health Indicators
  Rhode Island KIDS COUNT contributes data to the national KIDS COUNT Data Center, which is managed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.The national KIDS COUNT Data Center connects you to over four million data points about the well-being of children and families in each state and across the country. You can easily access hundreds of indicators related to health, education, employment and income, child welfare, and many other topics. The Data Center is free and available to all.
• Community Catalyst is a national non-profit advocacy organization working to build the consumer and community leadership that is required to transform the American health system.
• Georgetown University Center for Children and Families is an independent, nonpartisan policy and research center whose mission is to expand and improve health coverage for America’s children and families.
• The Kaiser Family Foundation is a non-profit organization focusing on national health issues, as well as the U.S. role in global health policy.