Headline:
Medicaid renewals have begun. People covered by Medicaid should update their information immediately, if they haven’t done so already, and should be sure to respond to any notices mailed or e-mailed to them. The State launched a website with information about Medicaid renewals: StayCovered.RI.gov.
Last-reviewed: 12pm, May 22, 2023
Key Resources:
The Basics
- Families covered through Medicaid should update their information through HealthSource RI here. Continuous enrollment, which was the case throughout the COVID emergency, has ended. More information here. Updating information ensures notices can be received. Protect Our Healthcare RI has this helpful factsheet in English and in Spanish to help families navigating the Medicaid renewal process.
- Here is a helpful fact sheet to help support people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid through the end of the public health emergency.
- While HealthSource RI open enrollment ended on January 31, there remain a number of special enrollment opportunities for people who have qualifying events.
- COVID-19 vaccines are available to all people over the age of 6 months.
- Bivalent boosters are now available to eligible Rhode Islanders.
Note: Uninsured Rhode Islanders eligible for Medicaid can apply at any time.
- General information about insurance access (ESP).
- More information about immigrant-specific eligibility (ESP).
The Breakdown
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
- 988 is a new national suicide prevention hotline. It does not replace 911 for emergencies, but rather connects people who are experiencing a mental health crisis to a counselor. FAQ here.
- A Spanish language line is available at 1-888-628-9454.
- TTY users dial 711 then 988 or people can use their preferred relay service.
Health Insurance Enrollment
- Health insurance enrollment through HealthSource RI ends on January 31, 2023, but there are special enrollment periods for those who qualify. The next open enrollment period will begin in November 2023.
- People who have qualifying life events, like marriage, divorce, pregnancy, birth of a child or loss of other insurance (e.g. because of loss of a job) will be able to enroll outside of the open enrollment period. More information here.
- Information about Medicare plans, including special enrollment periods, can be found here. Justice in Aging has factsheets with helpful information for Medicare, Medicaid and people in same sex relationships, here, and Medicare and transgender older adults, here.
- Uninsured Rhode Islanders may be able to receive free or reduced fee care from these providers.
- No one receiving Medicaid will be terminated while there is a federal public health emergency (PHE) declaration.
- The current emergency declaration was renewed through January 11, 2023 and can be renewed every 90 days.
- HealthSourceRI FAQ for Medicaid recipients and the PHE here.
- Families covered through Medicaid should update their information through HealthSource RI here.
The Bottom Line
- Care teams can help people connect to health insurance through HealthSource RI and can advise patients to be on the lookout for renewal notices which might appear now that Medicaid eligibility certifications have resumed.
Spotlight on Consumer Rights:
- Care teams can help people access health insurance by connecting them to two different services offered by RIPIN:
- RIPIN’s Healthcare Advocate assists people covered by Medicare and Medicaid with insurance-related challenges such as billing disputes or coverage denials. Contact the Advocate here.
- RIREACH also helps people access health insurance by removing barriers such as those related to insurance company denials, eligibility requirements, and billing. Contact RIREACH at 401-270-0101 or at callcenter@ripin.org.
