Rhode Island Health Insurance in 2026

Rhode Island runs HealthSource RI and enforces a state individual mandate — a penalty applies on your Rhode Island tax return if you go without coverage. Its Open Enrollment deadline for 2027 coverage is December 31.

Where you enroll. Rhode Island runs its own marketplace, HealthSource RI, rather than using HealthCare.gov. That means the state sets its own Open Enrollment deadline (December 31 for 2027 coverage) and can add its own programs on top of the federal subsidies.

Medicaid vs. subsidies. Because Rhode Island expanded Medicaid, adults up to about 138% of the federal poverty level generally qualify for Rhode Island Medicaid at little or no cost. Above that line, you shop subsidized Marketplace plans — the calculator above shows which side of the line you're on.

The Rhode Island mandate. Rhode Island is one of the few places that still penalizes going uninsured. Unless you qualify for an exemption, a penalty is added to your state income tax return for months without qualifying coverage — so a subsidized plan is usually cheaper than the penalty plus the risk.

The biggest lever on your Rhode Island premium is the ACA premium tax credit. It caps what you pay for a benchmark silver plan at a percentage of your income — the lower your income, the larger the credit — and the government pays the rest directly to your insurer.

If your income is under about 250% of the poverty level, look at Silver plans first: they come with cost-sharing reductions that shrink your deductible and copays, which no other tier gets. Our guide to Bronze vs. Silver vs. Gold walks through it.

One important change for 2026: the enhanced pandemic-era subsidies expired unless renewed, so the “400% cliff” may return for higher earners. That makes comparing plans with a licensed Rhode Island agent more valuable than ever. Prefer to read up first? Start with our ACA health insurance overview or the subsidy calculator.