Rhode Island’s uninsured rate remains one of the lowest in the nation, according to the latest Rhode Island Health Information Survey, conducted on behalf of HealthSource RI, the state’s health coverage marketplace. The survey found that only 2.2% of Rhode Islanders were uninsured, a decrease from 2.9% in 2022.
The decrease is within the margin of error, but the survey noted that it is encouraging that the uninsured rate remains below 3%, especially after the return to annual renewals for Medicaid customers, which could have caused disruptions in coverage.
“Ensuring access to high-quality, affordable health care is key to ensuring that Rhode Island and its people remain strong and successful,” said Governor Dan McKee. “An integral part of that is the health coverage that protects from unexpected costs and allows individuals and families to take advantage of regular preventative care. I’m proud that even through the reintroduction of the annual Medicaid renewal process at the end of the pandemic, Rhode Island has done a remarkable job of keeping its citizens covered and even achieved its lowest ever uninsured rate.”
The survey also found that:
* Only 0.2% of children 17 and younger are uninsured.
* Young adults 18-25 are improving their rate of coverage, with only 3.5% uninsured, continuing a 12-year downward trend.
* Adults aged 26-35 have a 6.4% uninsured rate, down from 7.6% in 2022 and a baseline high of 26% in 2012.
* Those 45-64 are highly likely to be covered, boasting a 1.8% uninsured rate.
* Males are more likely than females to be uninsured, with 3.5% of males vs 1.1% of females uninsured.
* Employment status does not necessarily assure coverage status – 3.9% of those working full-time and 2.9% of part-time workers are uninsured.
Disparities persist based on race, ethnicity, and birthplace:
* 1.3% of white, 4.1% of black, 2.5% of Asian Rhode Islanders are uninsured.
* 7.1% of the Hispanic population are uninsured vs. 1.2% of the non-Hispanic population.
* 1.3% of those born in the U.S. are uninsured vs. 8.8% of those born elsewhere.
The survey also found that underinsurance, inadequate coverage that can cause financial hardship due to high out-of-pocket costs, remains an issue for more than a quarter of Rhode Islanders.
HealthSource RI has served nearly 161,000 Rhode Islanders since its inception in 2013. Currently, more than 46,000 people are enrolled in its individual and family plan offerings, and an additional 8,200 are covered through its small employers arm.
“This incredible rate of near-universal coverage for Rhode Island is a mark of the maturing of our state-based marketplace, built for and tailored to the needs of Rhode Islanders,” said Lindsay Lang, Director of Health Source RI.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
