Best Cheap Health Insurance in Rhode Island (2026)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island has the best health insurance plans in Rhode Island, at $552 per month before discounts .
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Best and cheapest health insurance plans in Rhode Island
Cheapest health insurance companies in Rhode Island
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island has the cheapest health insurance, with Silver plans starting at $488 per month before discounts.
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Affordable health insurance plans in Rhode Island
Company |
Cost
| |
|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $488-$507 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island | $552-$704 |
- Neighborhood Health Plan has the most affordable medical insurance everywhere in Rhode Island. That includes larger cities like Providence, Woonsocket and Newport.
- Neighborhood Health Plan only sells HMO (health maintenance organization) plans. These plans tend to have affordable quotes, but they limit you to a network of doctors.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is a good choice if you want more flexibility when it comes to choosing your doctor. BCBS sells PPO (preferred provider organization) plans, which typically cost more but give you greater freedom when it comes to choosing your doctors.
Best health insurance companies in Rhode Island
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is the best medical insurance company in Rhode Island.
The company has a 4-out-of-5 star rating from HealthSource RI. This means that BCBS customers are happy with the quality of their health care and how easy it is to schedule doctor visits. Blue Cross Blue Shield also gets significantly fewer complaints than an average company its size.
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Best-rated health insurance companies in Rhode Island
Company |
ACA rating
|
VP rating
|
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island | ||
| Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island |
- Blue Cross Blue Shield has the largest network of doctors and hospitals nationwide. This makes it a good choice if you want to choose from a wide range of doctors over getting the cheapest price.
- Neighborhood Health Plan offers only HMOs (health maintenance organization) plans in Rhode Island. HMOs typically have affordable rates, but you can only use doctors in your plan's network unless you have an emergency.
How much is health insurance in Rhode Island?
Health insurance in Rhode Island costs an average of $589 per month at full price, or it could be about $238 per month after discounts.
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- Health insurance gets more expensive as you age. Rates stay low in your 20s and 30s before rising sharply in middle age.
- Higher plan tiers cost more each month, but you’ll pay less when you go to the hospital. Lower plan tiers have affordable rates, but you're responsible for a larger portion of your medical bill.
- How much you save on your monthly rate will depend on how much money you make. Typically, the lower your household income, the higher your subsidy.
Health insurance discount changes in Rhode Island for 2026
People in Rhode Island who are eligible for discounts might pay about $238 per month , on average, for marketplace coverage.
For people who can get subsidies, rates could possibly increase from about $128 in 2025 to $238 in 2026. That's because discount levels are likely changing for 2026. Since 2021, shoppers on HealthSource RI (the state's health insurance marketplace) have gotten higher discounts known as "expanded subsidies" — but these better discounts probably won’t be available in 2026. Though you may still qualify for subsidies based on your income, the discount you get may not be as good as it was in previous years.
Health insurance rates in Rhode Island after subsidies (2025 vs. 2026)
Income | 2025 rate | 2026 rate | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $49 | $155 | 216% |
| $40,000 | $154 | $287 | 86% |
| $50,000 | $283 | $415 | 47% |
| $60,000 | $423 | $498 | 18% |
| $70,000+ | $425 | $506 | 19% |
Average cost after subsidies for a single 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan.
- Who can get subsidies? To qualify for subsidies, you have to earn between $15,650 and $62,600 as an individual and $32,150 and $128,500 as a family of four. Your subsidy will be higher if you make less money.
- How do subsidies work? Your subsidy can help you buy health insurance from any company in the marketplace. Subsidies can be used toward Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum plans.
- How much do you save? You can use ValuePenguin's subsidy calculator to find out how much a subsidy will lower your health insurance rate.
Cheap health insurance plan in Rhode Island by city
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island has the most affordable health insurance quotes in the Providence area.
The company has the cheapest rates elsewhere in the state, including other large cities like Warwick and Cranston.
Cheapest health insurance plan by RI county
County | Cheapest plan | Monthly rates |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island PRIMARY HSA | $488 |
| Kent | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island PRIMARY HSA | $488 |
| Newport | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island PRIMARY HSA | $488 |
| Providence | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island PRIMARY HSA | $488 |
| Washington | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island PRIMARY HSA | $488 |
Cheapest Silver plan with rates for a 40-year-old
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Best health insurance by level of coverage
The best health insurance for you will depend on your budget and your medical needs.
If you expect to need a lot of health care in the coming year, it's a good idea to choose a higher plan tier. That's because these plans pay for more of the costs you're responsible for when you get care.
Lower plan tiers have more affordable rates, but you'll need to pay more when you go to the doctor. As such, you should get one of these plans only if you're in relatively good health and can afford to cover a large, unexpected medical bill from your savings.Silver plans balance average rates with affordable costs you pay when you go to the hospital. These plans are a particularly good option if, as an individual, you earn between $15,650 and $39,125 per year — you may qualify for extra discounts, called cost-sharing reductions (CSRs).
Platinum plans: Best if you have a serious health condition
| Platinum plans pay for about 90% of your medical care. |
Platinum plans cost an average of $880 per month in Rhode Island.
Coverage with a Platinum plan starts faster than with other plan tiers, as Platinum plans typically have low deductibles. That makes Platinum plans a good choice if you have serious or ongoing health problems. Plus, these plans have a low annual cap on how much you'll pay for medical care, called an out-of-pocket maximum.
But keep in mind that these plans also have expensive monthly rates, which makes them a poor choice if you don't visit the hospital often.
Gold plans: Best if you have frequent medical issues
| Gold plans pay for about 80% of your medical care. |
Gold plans cost an average of $642 per month in Rhode Island.
Gold plans have expensive monthly rates, but you'll pay very little when you go to the hospital. That makes Gold plans a good choice for people who have ongoing health issues.
Silver plans: Best for average medical needs
| Silver plans pay for about 70% of your medical care. |
Silver health plans cost an average of $589 per month in Rhode Island.
Silver health plans have average rates and middle-of-the-road costs that you pay when you go to the doctor. Consider a Silver plan if you typically only go to the hospital a few times per year.
Bronze plans: Best if you're generally healthy and have savings
| Bronze plans pay for about 60% of your medical care. |
Bronze plans cost an average of $431 per month in Rhode Island.
Bronze plans have cheap monthly rates, but you'll pay very high costs before coverage starts for services outside of preventive care. Consider a Bronze plan if you're younger and/or generally healthy, and can easily cover an expensive medical bill from your savings.
More discounts and free health insurance plans in RI
You may qualify for discounted or free health insurance if you live in Rhode Island and earn a low income.
Medicaid: Free coverage for those who qualify
If you live in Rhode Island and make roughly $22,000 per year or less (or roughly $44,000 per year or less for a family of four), you can get Medicaid, free or low-cost health insurance obtained through state and federal governments. Further, pregnant women, families with small children and people with certain disabilities may qualify for Medicaid at a higher income.
Silver plans with cost-sharing reductions (CSRs): Best for discounted coverage
| Silver plans will pay 73% to 94% of your medical costs if you have a low income. |
If you earn less than $39,125 per year and you have a Silver health plan, you may qualify for extra discounts, known as cost-sharing reductions (CSRs).
Cost-sharing reductions help you pay for your portion of the medical bill. That means CSRs could save you thousands of dollars per year if you need a lot of medical care.
Are health insurance rates going up in RI in 2026
Health insurance rates got 22% more expensive between 2025 and 2026, on average.
Bronze plans had the largest annual increase, at 25%, on average. Gold plans went up by 21% and Platinum plans increased by 19%, on average. Silver plans rose 23%, on average. Since 2022, Silver plans have increased by an average of 42%.
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $413 | – |
| 2023 | $297 | -28% |
| 2024 | $304 | 2% |
| 2025 | $344 | 13% |
| 2026 | $431 | 25% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old. Expanded Bronze plans are included in 2024, 2025 and 2026 averages, when they're offered.
Bronze
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $413 | – |
| 2023 | $297 | -28% |
| 2024 | $304 | 2% |
| 2025 | $344 | 13% |
| 2026 | $431 | 25% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old. Expanded Bronze plans are included in 2024, 2025 and 2026 averages, when they're offered.
Silver
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $413 | – |
| 2023 | $424 | 3% |
| 2024 | $455 | 7% |
| 2025 | $477 | 5% |
| 2026 | $589 | 23% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Gold
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $435 | – |
| 2023 | $452 | 4% |
| 2024 | $486 | 8% |
| 2025 | $530 | 9% |
| 2026 | $642 | 21% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Platinum
Year | Cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $627 | – |
| 2023 | $624 | 0% |
| 2024 | $673 | 8% |
| 2025 | $737 | 10% |
| 2026 | $880 | 19% |
Monthly costs are for a 40-year-old.
Why is health insurance expensive in Rhode Island in 2026?
Health insurance rates are going up in Rhode Island because of higher health care costs, inflation and expiring tax credits.
Health insurance companies raised rates for ACA plans by 22% in Rhode Island between 2025 and 2026. That's more than double the previous year's increase.
It's important to know that rates are rising nationwide at a similar pace. The main factors driving this rapid run-up in prices include a new annual insurance fee for Rhode Island residents, higher health care costs, general inflation and more expensive prescription drug prices.
Tax credits set to expire at the end of 2025 also contributed to higher health insurance prices. Without these extra subsidies, more healthy individuals will drop their insurance coverage, driving up costs for those who remain.
Tips for getting cheap medical insurance in Rhode Island in 2026
- If you earn a low income, you can get free government health insurance, called Medicaid.
- You may be eligible for discounted ACA coverage depending on your income.
- You can save on your monthly rate by choosing a high-deductible health plan (HDHP).
- If you have a high-deductible health plan, you can open a health savings account (HSA) to reduce your tax bill.
- Compare quotes on HealthSource RI to get the cheapest quotes in your area.
Essential health coverage in Rhode Island
All plans bought through the Rhode Island health insurance marketplace, HealthSource RI, have to offer a minimum level of coverage, called minimum essential coverage. This covers 10 important services, including preventive care, laboratory services, care for pregnant mothers and newborns and prescription drug coverage.
Marketplace plans offer several other important protections. For example, all Obamacare plans cap the amount you'll spend each year on medical care, called an out-of-pocket maximum. Plus, companies can't look at your health history when setting rates or selling plans if you get coverage through the state health exchange.
Short-term health insurance plans in Rhode Island
No companies currently sell short-term health insurance in Rhode Island.
Although it's legal to sell short-term coverage in RI, strict state-level rules have made this type of insurance unprofitable. If you need to buy a medical insurance plan outside of open enrollment (Nov. 1 through Jan. 31), it's a good idea to see if you're eligible for a special enrollment period.
Events including losing your job or existing coverage, getting married or divorced, moving to a new area or having a child can let you get a new plan outside open enrollment.
You also have the option to keep your workplace coverage through if you've recently lost your job. Keep in mind that COBRA tends to cost significantly more than marketplace coverage with discounts. COBRA is usually a good idea only if you've already hit your plan's annual deductible or you want to keep your existing doctors.
Health insurance enrollment by income level in Rhode Island
The changes to health insurance discounts in 2026 impact people with low incomes the most.
That's because people with lower incomes are more likely to buy health insurance through HealthSource RI than they are to get a plan through their employer. For example, in Rhode Island in 2025, more than half of people who bought health insurance through HealthSource RI made less than $37,651.
Enrollment by income
Income | % of total enrollment |
|---|---|
| Less than $15,060 | 0% |
| $15,060 to $20,783 | 10% |
| $20,784 to $22,590 | 6% |
| $22,591 to $30,120 | 25% |
| $30,121 to $37,650 | 17% |
Enrollment in 2025 marketplace plans made during the 2024-2025 Open Enrollment period. Total may not be 100% due to rounding
Frequently asked questions
Is $200 a month expensive for health insurance in Rhode Island?
No, $200 per month for medical insurance is not expensive for individual coverage in Rhode Island. That's roughly half the cost of the most affordable Silver health insurance plan for a 40-year-old in Rhode Island before discounts.
How do I get health insurance in RI?
The best way to get health insurance in Rhode Island, if you don't get it through a job or a government program, is by shopping for coverage on the state marketplace, HealthSource RI. Using HealthSource RI makes it easy to compare quotes from plans offered in your area. Plus, you'll see what discounts (known as subsidies) you can get.
Who has the best health insurance in Rhode Island?
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has the best health insurance in Rhode Island, because of its high-quality plans and large network of doctors. BCBS also scored 4-out-of-5 stars on HealthSource RI, which makes it the highest-rated company in the state.
What's the most affordable health insurance in Rhode Island?
Neighborhood Health Plan has the most affordable health insurance in Rhode Island, at $488 per month for an individual plan, on average. The company offers the cheapest rates everywhere in the state, including some of Rhode Island’s larger cities like Providence, Woonsocket and Newport.
How do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in Rhode Island?
To qualify for discounts on your health insurance rates, you'll need to make between $15,650 and $62,600 as an individual, $21,150 and $84,600 as a couple, and $32,150 and $128,600 as a family of four. The more money you make, the smaller your discount will be. However, if you make less, you could receive bigger discounts. On average, people who qualify for subsidies could pay $238 per month for a Silver plan.
What is the average cost of health insurance in Rhode Island?
Medical insurance in Rhode Island costs $589 per month, on average. However, most people pay far less because of discounts.
Methodology
Rhode Island health insurance rate data for 2026 is from the HealthSource RI website. ValuePenguin used the CMS public use files (PUFs) to find average rates for different plan tiers and counties.
Rates
Rates are based on a 40-year-old with a Silver plan, unless otherwise noted. Rates for Bronze plans include regular and Expanded Bronze plans for 2024, 2025 and 2026, when the plans are available. Your costs and plan options will vary; plans aren't always available in all parts of a state or county.
Subsidies
Rates after subsidies are estimates for a 40-year-old with a Benchmark Silver plan and are based on how subsidies were structured before 2021. Prices are calculated using KFF's rates for full-price Benchmark plans, federal poverty levels (FPLs), IRS rules about premium tax credits and Congressional reports about expanded tax credits.
The total cost in the state uses rates calculated by income, which are weighted using CMS data on the incomes of those who purchased plans during last year's open enrollment. The median was used for each income range.
Unknown incomes were excluded from the calculations. Incomes of 100% of the federal poverty line and 500% of the federal poverty line were assumed for enrollees who earn less than 100% FPL and more than 500% FPL, respectively.
Information about state subsidies, when available, was sourced from state marketplaces.
Ratings
ValuePenguin's experts rank companies based on cost, coverage options, customer satisfaction and unique value. Ratings are out of 100 possible points. ACA ratings show how the company performs in Rhode Island for medical care, member experience and plan administration. This 2026 plan quality data from CMS is based on data from last year. Ratings are not available for new plans or plans with low enrollment.
More sources
Enrollment trends, including plan selections by tier and enrollment by income, are from CMS data for the 2025 open enrollment period.
Other sources include S&P Global Capital IQ and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Flood insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Auto and motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- The Miami Herald
- Money.com
- MSN
- Nasdaq
- The Sacramento Bee
- Yahoo! Finance
Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
Credentials
- Licensed Life & Disability Insurance Agent
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
