The Medicaid Income Limit is the most important criteria for deciding whether you qualify for Medicaid in your state. In this post, we are going to explain in detail the Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limits for 2021. Medicaid in Rhode Island also called Medical Assistance (MA).
Based on this information, you will be able to determine whether your income qualifies you for Rhode Island Medicaid or not.
However, before we get into details about the income limit, we will first explain the Medicaid program in Rhode Island and how it works.
Next, we will discuss who is eligible for Medicaid, including how eligibility works for various categories, including Children, Pregnant Women, and Adults.
What is Medicaid?
Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program for people with a low income.
It provides free or low-cost health coverage to millions of Americans, including families and children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers health coverage to children in families with incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, but who can’t afford private coverage.
How Many People are on Medicaid?
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as of November 2020, here are the number of people enrolled in Medicaid and Chip in the entire United States:
- 78,521,263 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP
- 72,204,587 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid
- 6,695,834 individuals were enrolled in CHIP
Rhode Island Medicaid
The Rhode Island Medicaid program provides medical coverage to low-income individuals and families.
As of 2020, the program, along with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covered 320,927 people.
This includes about 121,000 children as shown by the image below.
Medicaid in Rhode Island is administered by the State of Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) agency.
Who Can Get Medicaid in Rhode Island?
You should apply for Medicaid if your income is low and you match one of the descriptions below:
- You think you are pregnant
- The parent or caretaker of a child and/or teenager under the age of 19.
- You are a child or teenager age 18 or under.
- An adult age 65 or older.
- You are legally blind.
- Living with a disability or disabled.
- You are in need of nursing home care.
Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limit
The Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limit is calculated as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Line.
To qualify, you must meet the Rhode Island Medicaid Income limits listed below.
Here is the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for 2021.
| 2021 Federal Poverty Levels for the 48 Contiguous States & D.C. | |||
| Household Size | Poverty Guideline for 48 states & DC | Alaska | Hawaii |
| 1 | $12,880 | $16,090 | $14,820 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $21,770 | $20,040 |
| 3 | $21,960 | $27,450 | $25,260 |
| 4 | $26,500 | $33,130 | $30,480 |
| 5 | $31,040 | $38,810 | $35,700 |
| 6 | $35,580 | $44,490 | $40,920 |
| 7 | $40,120 | $50,170 | $46,140 |
| 8 | $44,660 | $55,850 | $51,360 |
| Over 8 people | add $4,540 for each additional person | $5,680 | $5,220 |
Additionally, to be eligible for Medicaid, you cannot make more than the income guidelines outlined below:
- Children up to age 1 with family income up to 261 percent of FPL
- Any child age 1-5 with a family income up to 261 percent of FPL
- Children ages 6- 18 with family income up to 261 percent of FPL
- CHIP for children with family income up to 261 percent of FPL
- Pregnant women with family income up to 190 percent of FPL
- Parents of minor children with family income up to 116 percent of FPL
- Individuals who are elderly, blind, and disabled with family income up to 100% of the FPL
- Adults without dependents under Medicaid expansion with income up to 133% of the FPL
Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limit Charts
The Rhode Island Medicaid eligibility income limit charts are divided by groups.
For example, the first chart is focused on income limits for children who qualify for Medicaid.
Similarly, the second chart below focuses on the Medicaid income limits for adults in Rhode Island who qualify for Medicaid.
Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limit for Children
Below is the income limit for children by age category. Find the age category your child falls into and you will see the income limit by household size.
| Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limit – Children | ||||||
| Children Medicaid Ages 0-1 | Children Medicaid Ages 1-5 | Children Medicaid Ages 6-18 | Children Separate CHIP | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 261% | 261% | 261% | 261% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $33,617 | $33,617 | $33,617 | $33,617 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $45,466 | $45,466 | $45,466 | $45,466 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $57,316 | $57,316 | $57,316 | $57,316 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $69,165 | $69,165 | $69,165 | $69,165 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $81,014 | $81,014 | $81,014 | $81,014 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $92,864 | $92,864 | $92,864 | $92,864 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $104,713 | $104,713 | $104,713 | $104,713 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $116,563 | $116,563 | $116,563 | $116,563 | |
Next is the income limit for adults by category. Find the category you fall into and you will see the income limit by household size.
Rhode Island has expanded Medicaid to include adults without dependents.
Therefore, adults without dependents can apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island.
For an update on the Medicaid expansion debate and timeline in Rhode Island, see our Rhode Island Expansion update below.
Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limit for Adults
| Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limit – Adults | ||||||
| Pregnant Women Medicaid | Adults (Medicaid) Parent/ Caretaker | Seniors & People w/ Disabilities (Medicaid) | Adults (Medicaid) Expansion to Adults | |||
| % FPL | 100% | 190% | 116% | 100% | 133% | |
|
Household Size
|
1 | $12,880 | $24,472 | $14,941 | $12,880 | $17,130 |
| 2 | $17,420 | $33,098 | $20,207 | $17,420 | $23,169 | |
| 3 | $21,960 | $41,724 | $25,474 | $21,960 | $29,207 | |
| 4 | $26,500 | $50,350 | $30,740 | $26,500 | $35,245 | |
| 5 | $31,040 | $58,976 | $36,006 | $31,040 | $41,283 | |
| 6 | $35,580 | $67,602 | $41,273 | $35,580 | $47,321 | |
| 7 | $40,120 | $76,228 | $46,539 | $40,120 | $53,360 | |
| 8 | $44,660 | $84,854 | $51,806 | $44,660 | $59,398 | |
How to Read the Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limits Charts Above
You cannot have an income higher than the Federal Poverty Level percentage described for your group to be eligible for Medicaid.
Similarly, when you identify the income group that applies to you, the income limit you see refers to the maximum level of income you can earn to qualify for benefits.
For example, if you are pregnant, to qualify for Medicaid, you cannot have an income higher than 190% of the Federal Poverty Level – which for a family of two is $33,098 as shown in the chart above.
How to Apply for Rhode Island Medicaid
There are 3 ways you can apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island.
Option 1 – Apply online
You can apply online through the HealthSource RI Portal – as shown in the image below.
If you have an account, you can log in or create your HealthSource RI account. Click here to be taken to the website.
Option 2 – Apply at DHS Office Near You
You can apply in person at the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) office near you. Click here to locate a DHS office.
Option 3 – Download Application
You can download an application, complete it, and mail it to your county DHS office or submit it in person.
Rhode Island Medicaid Phone Number
Here’s how to contact the Rhode Island Medicaid Agency:
For Medicaid Applicant & Member Services
The local and long-distance number is (401) 784-8100 and the in-state toll call and border community number is 1-800-964-6211.
The Medicaid Customer Service Help Desk is available Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Rhode Island Medicaid Expansion Update
The state of Rhode Island expanded Medicaid in 2014.
Rhode Island’s Medicaid/CHIP population grew by more than 214,000 people from the fall of 2013 through June 2020.
That is a 60 percent increase.
Only three states and DC have had larger percentage growth in their Medicaid/CHIP population.
Rhode Island’s uninsured rate was 4.6 percent in 2017 (versus the national average of 8.7 percent)
Expansion enrollment in Rhode Island Medicaid has far exceeded projections.
Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limits Summary
We hope this post on Rhode Island Medicaid Income Limits was helpful to you.
If you have any questions about Medicaid in the state of Rhode Island, you can ask us in the comments section below.
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Be sure to check out our other articles about Medicaid.
Income limits for Florida Medicaid
Alabama Medicaid Income Limits and How to Apply
Alaska Medicaid Income Limits and Chart
South Carolina Healthy Connections Income Limits