Rhode Island enters 2026 Open Enrollment with one of nation’s Lowest Uninsured Rates

HealthSource RI encourages residents to review plans and take advantage of available financial help

Rhode Island continues to lead the nation in health-care coverage as Open Enrollment 2026 begins. Started November 1, individuals and families can sign up for or renew affordable health and dental insurance through HealthSource RI- the state’s official marketplace — with enrollment open through January 31, 2026.

You can start online TODAY as the Exchange opened Nov. 1st. Even if you don’t make a final decision today you should set aside quiet time to gather your information and review plans – decisions can change until the deadlines come.

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Rhode Island’s record of coverage

More than 49,000 Rhode Islanders currently receive health coverage through HealthSource RI, and another 8,800 are enrolled through HealthSource RI for Employers.

Since 2013, the state’s uninsured rate has fallen by more than two-thirds.

As of 2024, only 2.2 percent of residents lacked health insurance — the sixth-lowest uninsured rate in the U.S.

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Keeping coverage affordable

Even with premium increases for 2026, most Rhode Islanders will continue to receive federal Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) to lower their monthly costs.

The average person renewing coverage with assistance remains eligible for about $494 per month in tax credits.
For many families, that means paying roughly half the full price of their plan.

“Health insurance is a critical part of keeping people healthy and protecting their financial well-being,” said HSRI Director Lindsay Lang. “With an average cost increase of just over $100 per person, we encourage everyone to shop their options and look to HealthSource RI for help.”

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It’s All About the Subsidies

Pandemic-era enhanced tax credits to lower premiums are expiring. Approximately 22 million of the 24 million people enrolled in the marketplace receive these enhanced subsidies, which limit the percentage of their yearly income that they have to pay for health insurance. The government shutdown, which is now the second-longest in history, began over the possible loss of these subsidies. The increases premiums will be different by state and depend on age, with higher-income, older individuals, and those in rural areas expected to have the highest hikes. But no one is likely to escape a price increase.

For most Rhode Islanders buying coverage through HealthSource RI, what matters isn’t the sticker price — it’s the subsidy.

• About six out of seven customers qualify for federal Advance Premium Tax Credits that directly lower their monthly bill.

• The average credit this year is $494 per month, covering roughly half the cost of a typical plan.

• Subsidies are based on income, family size, and plan type, so two households with the same plan may pay very different amounts.

• As Director Lang noted, “Tens of thousands of customers will still benefit from some level of financial assistance to help with their monthly premiums.”

How it works:
The federal government pays part of your premium directly to the insurer so your share stays affordable — usually capped near 8 to 8.5 percent of household income.
If your income is lower, the credit is larger; if higher, it phases out.

Example:
A single parent with two children earning $80,000 pays about $550 a month ($6,600/yr)  for a Silver family plan — not the $1,200 full price — because a federal subsidy covers the rest.
Without that help, the same plan would cost more than $14,000 a year.

Why it matters:
Those federal enhancements, first expanded in 2021, are scheduled to expire Dec 31 2025 unless extended by the President and Congress. For now, the subsidies remain in place — and they are the single biggest reason Rhode Island’s uninsured rate is at a record low 2.2 percent.

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Assistance, Tools and Help statewide

Residents can compare plans and see estimated costs anonymously using the calculator at HealthSourceRI.com/calculator, or log in at healthyrhode.ri.gov to renew or enroll.

Help is available through:

• Contact Center: 1-855-840-HSRI (4774) — Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Tues until 8 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.–noon (Nov 1 only: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.)

• Live chat in English and Spanish at HealthSourceRI.com

• Navigator agencies and in-person appointments statewide

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Important dates

• Enroll & pay by Dec 23 – coverage starts Jan 1, 2026

• Enroll & pay by Jan 31 – coverage starts Feb 1, 2026

• You can make changes or switch plans anytime up to Jan 31, as long as you complete payment before the deadline.

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Who should use HealthSource

People not covered through an employer — including:

• Self-employed individuals

• Freelancers or gig workers

• Early retirees (under 65)

• People recently off Medicaid or COBRA

What You Should Do – Today!

If you’re currently enrolled through HealthSource RI:

• Log in early at HealthSourceRI.com/OE or call 1-855-840-HSRI (4774).

• Update your income and household information — this ensures your subsidy is correct for 2026.

• Compare plans, even if you plan to renew; new options or cost changes could save you money.

• Confirm your payment method before Dec 23 to keep uninterrupted coverage starting January 1.

If you want to change plans later, you can still do so up until Jan 31 2026

Note that you can’t sign up or switch plans outside this window unless you have a “qualifying life event” such as marriage, divorce, birth, or job loss.

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Medicare?

If you will be eligible for Medicare or are already on Medicare and need to review changes to plans, this is a separate challenge, entirely. Rhode Island has SHIP counselors that will help you, at no charge, maneuver your way through the plans available and how to make the best choice for you, your budget, and your medical situation. Enrollment has already started – October 15th and ends on December 7th

Herb Weiss, RINewsToday’s writer on aging issues, discussed all the details 2 weeks ago – here is a link to what you need to know:

The ABCs of Surviving Medicare Open Enrollment – Herb Weiss

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Looking ahead

Federal subsidy enhancements are currently set to end after 2025, pending action from the President and Congress. For now, Rhode Islanders continue to benefit from the same financial help that has kept coverage affordable and pushed the state’s uninsured rate to historic lows.

While subsidies and Obamacare were to control the costs of medical care, medical inflation outpaces all goods.

24.2 million consumers selected a plan through the Marketplace nationwide.

Bottom line: Rhode Island remains one of the best-insured states in the nation — and HealthSource RI continues to help residents find affordable coverage that fits their needs.