bestMedicare AdvantageRhode IslandMoneyGeek discovered the best plans that are rated based on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services five-star quality rating system and are widely available in Rhode Island. We also broke down the options according to several factors like plan types, whether they include drug coverage and their out-of-pocket limits.
These are generalizations, and it’s a good idea to do your research and shop around for a plan that is right for you. You’ll want to ensure that the hospitals and providers you want to use are in the plan's network before you enroll.
MoneyGeek also analyzed the best medicare supplement plans in Rhode Island for those focused on covering out-of-pocket expenses.
bestMedicare AdvantageRhode IslandBest Medicare Advantage Plans in Rhode Island
Best plan overall - BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island
Best HMO plan - BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island
Best plan without drug coverage - BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island
Best plan for low out-of-pocket costs - BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Rhode Island - Overall
Your needs and preferences will determine the best Medicare Advantage plan in Rhode Island for you. If you want a PPO policy with drug coverage, the six core benefits and one that is highly rated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the best plan we found is HealthMate for Medicare, offered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
Although Preferred Provider Organization plans are more expensive than Health Maintenance Organization policies, they offer a more extensive network. You also won’t need a referral to see a specialist. A PPO is a great option if you’re looking for flexibility and don’t mind the extra cost.
BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island
Plan HealthMate for Medicare is a top pick in Rhode Island if you’re seeking a PPO, according to our research. However, the best plan for you will still depend on your specific requirements. Here are some of HealthMade for Medicare’s features:
- Monthly premium of $132
- Includes drug coverage
- An in-network max-out-of-pocket limit of $4250
- Scored a perfect 5-star rating overall from CMS
Plan HealthMate for Medicare includes the six common additional benefits, such as telehealth, worldwide emergency, hearing, fitness, dental and vision coverage.
Best HMO Medicare Advantage Plan in Rhode Island
Your unique needs will determine which Medicare Advantage HMO plan is best for you.
For our sample buyer in Rhode Island looking for an HMO plan with a high-star rating from CMS, the six core benefits and drug coverage, the best plan is BlueCHiP for Medicare Advance, offered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
HMO plans are typically less expensive compared to other plans. However, you are only covered if you stay within the provider network, except during emergencies. You'll also need a referral to see a specialist. Overall, if the in-network providers are accessible to you, this type of plan is an excellent way to save on monthly payments.
BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island
Here are a few details about the BlueCHiP for Medicare Advance plan.
- No monthly premium
- Drug coverage with a $200 deductible
- A $5,000 in-network max-out-of-pocket limit
- A 5-star rating overall from CMS
All the six common additional benefits like vision, hearing, fitness, dental, telehealth and worldwide emergency coverage are included in the BlueCHiP for Medicare Advantage plan. CMS gave the plan high marks, and it includes Part D drug coverage.
MoneyGeek found that BlueCHiP for Medicare Value is another great HMO option for Rhode Island residents offered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield. This plan is similar to BlueCHiP Advance, and features:
- No monthly premium
- Drug coverage with a $0 deductible
- A $5,000 in-network max-out-of-pocket limit
- Scored a perfect 5-star rating overall from CMS
BlueCHiP for Medicare Value covers all six of the most common added benefits, including vision, fitness, hearing, dental, worldwide emergency and telehealth coverage. It also provides Part D drug coverage and is highly rated by CMS.
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Rhode Island Without Drug Coverage
There are additional plans available if you don't require Part D prescription drug coverage. If you’re looking for a Medicare Advantage Plan in Rhode Island with or without drug coverage, which has six core benefits and is highly rated by CMS, we found that the best plan is BlueCHiP for Medicare Core HMO, offered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield.
BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island
MoneyGeek determined that BlueCHiP for Medicare Core HMO might be the best option in Rhode Island for people searching for a policy that does or does not offer drug coverage. Drug coverage isn’t included in the plan.
Here’s what’s included in the BlueCHiP for Medicare Core HMO plan:
- No monthly premium
- An in-network max-out-of-pocket limit of $3500
- Scored a perfect 5-star rating from CMS
BlueCHiP for Medicare Core HMO includes all of the six common additional benefits, such as vision, hearing, fitness, dental, telehealth and worldwide emergency coverage. It’s highly rated by CMS as well.
Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Rhode Island for Low Max Out-of-Pocket Costs
You may still have to spend thousands of dollars out of your pocket whether Medicare Advantage plans feature low or no premiums.
According to our research, the best plan in Rhode Island if you want a Medicare Advantage plan with a low in-network maximum out-of-pocket limit, that includes the six core benefits, drug coverage and a high rating from CMS is HealthMate for Medicare PPO, offered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.
BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island
We determined that HealthMate for Medicare PPO might be the best Rhode Island Medicare Advantage plan with or without drug coverage. MoneyGeek determined this by looking through plans and removing the ones with high max-out-of-pocket limits.
The HealthMate plan includes drug coverage, as well as the following:
- Monthly premium of $132
- An in-network max-out-of-pocket limit of $4,250
- CMS rating of 5 out of 5 stars
If you have costly medical bills, a smaller max-out-of-pocket limit will shield you from some of the expense. You won't have to pay any more for in-network coverage with HealthMate for Medicare PPO after you've reached your MOOP limit, which is $4,250.
You will have a separate max-out-of-pocket limit for out-of-network coverage if you have a PPO plan, but for HealthMate for Medicare PPO, this limit is also $4,250.
Medicare Advantage Plan in Rhode Island - Statistics
In Rhode Island, there are six organizations that provide Medicare Advantage plans. The following Medicare Advantage statistics will help you find out what plan features are uncommon Vs. typical in the state.
1
Rhode Island Medicare Advantage Plans are a mix of HMO, PPO and Medical Savings Account plans with 79% offering drug coverage
In Rhode Island, Medicare Advantage Plans are a mix of 50% HMO, 41% PPO and 8.3% MSA. 79% of plans in the state include drug coverage.
2
54% of Medicare Advantage Plans in Rhode Island have a $0 premium
54% of plans in Rhode island feature $0 monthly premiums and the average premiums of plans that do is $94.80.
3
Hearing, Vision, Dental, Worldwide Emergency and Telehealth benefits are common in Rhode Island, with most plans offering them
The most common benefits included in Medicare Advantage plans in Rhode Island are hearing coverage, which all plans have, and vision, dental, worldwide emergency and telehealth coverage, which 92% of plans offer. The rarest benefits offered are emergency response device, in-home support and transportation coverage.
Methodology
MoneyGeek collected data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2022 MA Landscape Source Files released in October 2021. Plans in Rhode Island were filtered down to those that offer drug coverage (unless otherwise noted), offer six of the most common Medicare Advantage coverage benefits and are available to at least 50% of the population of Rhode Island based on county availability.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
