Best Health Insurance in Rhode Island (2026)

Key Takeaways

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island is the best health insurance provider for HMO plans in Rhode Island, offering Bronze, Silver and Gold plans.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is the best health insurance company in Rhode Island for POS and PPO plans.

Before choosing a health plan in Rhode Island, compare quotes from multiple insurers, examine deductibles and coverage details, and verify your preferred doctors participate in the network.

Best Health Insurance Companies in Rhode Island

There are only two providers offering health insurance through HealthSource RI, Rhode Island's health insurance marketplace. Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island is the best health insurance for HMO plans in the state, with an average monthly rate of $507 for 40-year-olds.

Blue Cross Blue Shield is the best option for POS and PPO plans in the state with an average monthly rate of $597 for its POS plans and $704 for its PPO plans.


Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island	$507	$8,700	$4,750	5	HMO
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$597	$8,100	$4,975	5	POS, PPO

* Our picks reflect the best companies for 40-year-olds seeking Silver-tier plans. Rates vary by age, location, plan type and coverage level.

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$507
Average MOOP
$8,700
Average Deductible
$4,750

pros
- Cheapest health insurance plans in the state
- HSA-eligible Bronze and Silver plans
- Low-income options available
cons
- Offers HMO plans only, limiting provider network flexibility
- Bronze plans carry high $7,000 deductibles and $8,250 MOOP limits
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (NHPRI) is the best in the state's HMO market. Its coverage ranges from Bronze through Gold tiers at competitive rates. Monthly premiums range from $378 for Bronze to $502 for Gold, with two Silver options priced at $488 and $507.

Gold plans feature low $2,013 deductibles and $6,600 out-of-pocket maximums, while Silver balances affordability and protection with moderate $3,850 to $4,750 deductibles. The provider offers HSA-eligible plans at both the Bronze and Silver metal tiers, offering consumers access to tax-advantaged savings.

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island health insurance plans for 2026:

Data filtered by:


Neighborhood SELECT 6900/13800 HSA	$378	HMO	Bronze	$7,400	$6,900	Yes
Neighborhood SELECT 7100/14200 HSA	$367	HMO	Bronze	$9,100	$7,100	Yes

Blue Cross Blue Shield

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Deductible

5/5MOOP

Average Monthly Rate
$597
Average MOOP
$8,100
Average Deductible
$4,975

pros
- POS and PPO plans available
- HSA-eligible Bronze, Silver and Gold plans
- Low-income policy options
cons
- Higher monthly premiums
- No HMO policies
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) offers POS and PPO plans in Rhode Island for out-of-network flexibility, though premiums run higher than competitor HMO plans in the state.

Its POS plans deliver more affordable options at $504 for Bronze, $552 for Silver, and $586 for Gold with moderate out-of-pocket costs. PPO plans add broader network access but cost an average of $100 to $150 more per month, depending on metal tier. Its Gold POS plan features $2,300 deductibles at $633, while Gold PPO offers slightly lower $1,900-$2,000 deductibles at $702-$755 per month.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Rhode Island health insurance plans for 2026:
Data filtered by:
Plan Type
POS
Metal Level
Bronze
BlueCHiP Direct 7000/14000 $504 POS Bronze $10,600 $7,000 Yes


BlueCHiP Direct 7000/14000	$504	POS	Bronze	$10,600	$7,000	Yes

Best Rhode Island Health Insurance by Category

Rhode Island health insurance plans vary by age and network type. We give a breakdown of the leading providers by age and network structure for Silver-tier plans:

By Age:

Teens (18): Neighborhood Health Plan HMO ($362 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield POS ($427), Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO ($503)
Young adults (26): Neighborhood Health Plan HMO ($406 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield POS ($479), Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO ($564)
Adults (40): Neighborhood Health Plan HMO ($507 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield POS ($597), Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO ($704)
Seniors (60): Neighborhood Health Plan HMO ($1,076 monthly), Blue Cross Blue Shield POS ($1,268), Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO ($1,494)

By Network Type (40-year-olds):

HMO: Neighborhood Health Plan offers the lowest rate at $507 monthly
POS: Blue Cross Blue Shield provides coverage at $597 monthly
PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield leads at $704 monthly for broader network access

Compare Health Insurance Companies in Rhode Island

Compare coverages by network type, metal tier, age and HSA eligibility to identify the best match for your situation.

Data filtered by:


Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island	$507	HMO	Silver	$8,700	$4,750	40	No

*Some providers offer multiple plans of the same type and tier. Rates are based on company averages across all available plans for the given age, plan type and metal tier.

How to Find the Best Health Insurance in Rhode Island

Finding the right health insurance in Rhode Island involves comparing your coverage needs, insurer reputations and available enrollment periods.

Decide on your coverage needs before buying

Compare monthly premiums against maximum out-of-pocket limits. Frequent medical visits? Plans with higher monthly costs but lower MOOP limits save money long-term.

For those who rarely need care, lower-premium plans with higher out-of-pocket limits may be sufficient. Review HMO, PPO and EPO plan types to understand network flexibility and referral requirements.

Compare company offerings and reputations

Research what plans providers offer in your area and review coverage terms. Check company reputations through J.D. Power ratings and state complaint data to verify claims handling and customer service quality.

Shop around

Rhode Island rates start as low as $372 monthly, depending on age, plan type and coverage level. Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. Special Enrollment applies if you've lost your job, got divorced or had a child.

Take advantage of federal programs and subsidies

Low-income residents, individuals with qualifying disabilities or health conditions, and adults age 65 and older may qualify for financial assistance through Medicaid or Medicare.

HealthSource RI subsidies can reduce monthly premiums and possibly lower them to $0 for eligible Rhode Island residents. Those who qualify for Medicare can compare Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage plans to help cover costs not paid by Original Medicare.

Average Health Insurance Cost in Rhode Island

Rhode Island health insurance costs depend on plan type, metal tier, age and location. HMO plans are the most affordable option, with Bronze coverage starting at $372 monthly and Gold at $508.

POS plans range from $504 for Bronze to $633 for Gold. PPO plans cost $474 monthly for Bronze and reach $880 for Platinum coverage.


HMO	$372	$498	$508	No Data
POS	$504	$597	$633	No Data
PPO	$474	$671	$728	$880

*Average monthly premiums for 40-year-olds in Rhode Island by plan type. Rates vary by age and location.

Best Health Insurance in Rhode Island: Bottom Line

Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island ranks as the top Silver-tier HMO provider in the state. Your best plan depends on your age, health needs, budget and preferred doctors. Get quotes from multiple insurers and compare premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums to find the right coverage for your situation.

Best Rhode Island Health Insurance: FAQ

Here are key questions about the best health insurance in Rhode Island:

Is health insurance required in Rhode Island?

Yes, Rhode Island requires residents to have health insurance or pay a state tax penalty when filing their returns.

The penalty applies to most uninsured individuals, though exemptions exist for financial hardship, religious objections and brief coverage gaps. Rhode Island residents may qualify for state subsidies to help lower premiums.

When is open enrollment in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island's open enrollment period for 2026 health coverage begins November 1, 2025, and ends January 31, 2026. You must select your plan by December 31, 2025, to start coverage on January 1, 2026.

Can you get free health insurance in Rhode Island?

Yes, Rhode Island residents can access free health insurance through Medicaid if they meet income requirements. People may qualify for premium subsidies through HealthSource RI, the state's health insurance marketplace, which can make coverage affordable or even free based on household income.

How We Chose the Best Health Insurance in Rhode Island

Our ranking system evaluates health insurance plans based on three cost components: premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits.

Scoring methodology:

Monthly premium (60%): Plans with the cheapest average monthly costs receive top ratings.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) score (20%): MOOP is the annual spending limit for healthcare costs beyond premiums. Insurers with lower MOOP averages earn better scores.
Deductible (20%): This amount must be paid for covered services before insurance begins paying. Plans with smaller average deductibles receive higher ratings.

We standardized all scores within each filter group. For Silver-tier HMO options, the leading provider earns a 5 out of 5 rating, with remaining plans scored relative to this top performer.

MoneyGeek examined every 2026 health insurance option available to Rhode Island residents ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60 in HealthSource RI, the state's health insurance marketplace. Premium costs reflect 40-year-old rates unless stated otherwise. Our analysis covers all available metal tiers, including Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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