Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Rhode Island. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Rhode Island Medicaid in Rhode Island
Rhode Island Medicaid can pay health costs Medicare doesn't for people 65 and older with limited income and savings.
You apply through the Department of Human Services online at HealthyRhode, by mail, or by dropping off an application at a DHS office.
How to apply in Rhode Island
- In person
- Drop off your application in a secure drop box at any DHS office or regional location.
- By mail
- Mail the DHS-2 Application for Assistance to RI Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 8709, Cranston, RI 02920-8787.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Rhode Island
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| Income limit (2026) | $1,330 a month (100% of the poverty level) | $1,803 a month (100% of the poverty level) |
| Savings limit (2026) | $4,000 | $6,000 |
| Spend-down if your income is over the limit | Yes: you may qualify if medical bills bring your income down to $1,200 a month for one person or $1,242 for a couple (2026) |
|---|---|
| Income limit for nursing-home or home-care Medicaid (2026) | $2,982 a month (300% of the SSI amount) |
| Medicaid for adults under 65 (expansion) | Yes: Rhode Island expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under 65 |
Source: KFF (source 2)
How Rhode Island is different
Where Rhode Island's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicaid for people with Medicare.
- Higher income limit: 100% of the poverty level
- Higher savings limit: $4,000 for one person
- Spend-down available for people over the income limit
Source: KFF (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in Rhode Island
Office of Healthy Aging (OHA)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Rhode Island
Medicaid for older adults in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Rhode Island Department of Human Services, Apply for DHS Benefits (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Medicaid Eligibility Levels for Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Non-MAGI) in 2026. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- KFF, Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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