Best Health Insurance Agencies in Providence, RI

Providence, RI Health Insurance FAQs

• Do you have to pay extra for health insurance in Providence if you are ill or have a pre-existing condition?

  In accordance with the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies in Providence are not allowed to raise your premiums because you are unwell or have a history of health issues. Your age, family size, and household income should be the only factors used to determine the cost of your health insurance.

• What is typically covered by health insurance policies in Providence?

  The same fundamental set of healthcare services, such as ambulatory patient services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, pediatric treatments, and prescription medicines, must be covered by all health plans in Providence. Emergency services, treatment for mental illness and substance abuse, rehabilitation, management of chronic diseases, and laboratory tests should also be covered.

• How much is the fine for Providence residents who do not have health insurance?

  The penalty for not having such coverage is determined in the same way as the individual requirement under the Affordable Care Act, meaning the fine might be a fixed fee of $695 or 2.5% of the offender's annual income, whichever is higher. Since 2020, the majority of residents of Providence and their family members must have basic essential coverage for each month of the year under Rhode Island's individual mandate.

• What options do residents in Providence have for obtaining health insurance?

  Residents in Providence have several options for health insurance, including through their place of employment, the state-based Health Insurance Marketplace, a direct relationship with an insurance provider, or government-sponsored programs like Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and Medicare. In order to allow citizens who are not qualified for other Medicaid programs or Medicare to obtain health insurance, Rhode Island also expanded Medicaid coverage in 2014.

• What are the income criteria for Providence's Medicaid eligibility for different age groups?

  Recipients must achieve income qualifying standards expressed as a percentage of the federal poverty level in order to be eligible. The percentages are 133% for parents, 138% for childless adults, 253% for pregnant women, 261% for children, and 100% for seniors and people with disabilities. Low-income families, expectant mothers, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and others with special needs in Providence may be eligible for this publicly-funded healthcare Medicaid coverage.