How To Sign Up for Obamacare in Rhode Island
For 2024 health plans, Rhode Island open enrollment begins on November 1, 2023 and runs through January 31, 2024. If you enroll by December 15, your coverage will begin on January 1, 2024.
Once open enrollment has ended, you may still be able to purchase health insurance if you qualify for a special enrollment period. For example, if you’ve recently lost your job or income due to the COVID-19 crisis or for any other reason, you might qualify for a 60-day special enrollment period that will allow you to sign up for a new health insurance plan. (See What Happens If I Miss the Enrollment Deadline?)
To get covered, you can go directly to the online health insurance marketplace for Rhode Island. If you need personalized help, you can reach out to an enrollment assistant. Most enrollment helpers are working remotely during the COVID crisis.
Where's the Rhode Island Health Care Exchange?
You can find the health insurance exchange for Rhode Island at Health Source RI. This is where you can learn about the various health insurance options available to you under Obamacare. If you see a plan you like, you'll be guided through the enrollment process online.
Getting Personalized Help with Enrollment
In Rhode Island, if you need help understanding your options for coverage under Obamacare or signing up for a plan, you can get free help from an enrollment assistant or from a licensed health care agent or broker.
Rhode Island Medicaid Expansion: Do I Qualify for Medicaid Under the ACA?
The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) expanded Medicaid eligibility to include more people who couldn’t otherwise obtain health insurance. As written, the ACA would extend Medicaid to all adults with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level. (For a single person in Rhode Island in 2023, that’s $20,120. For a family of four, it’s $41,400.)
However, the U.S. Supreme Court later ruled that it was up to individual states to decide whether to expand Medicaid. As of December 2023, only 10 states have not expanded their programs.
Rhode Island Has Expanded Medicaid
Because Rhode Island did decide to expand its Medicaid program, residents can qualify for Medicaid more easily today than in years past.
Get Help Finding a Health Insurance Plan in Rhode Island
Get Help From Rhode Island's Health Insurance Exchange
The following links and telephone numbers take you to the official help resources for Health Source RI, the health insurance marketplace for Rhode Island.
Get help by phone: 855-840-4774
Get help in person: To find a certified navigator, see Search for a Navigator at Health Source RI.
Get Help From a Licensed Insurance Broker
To directly connect with a Rhode Island insurance broker who can help you evaluate insurance plans and choose a plan that's appropriate for your situation, call 800-943-6832. (We receive advertising income from the licensed brokers who offer their services through this telephone number.)
More Information
For more detailed information, see How Do I Sign Up for Obamacare in Rhode Island?