Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island provides the cheapest health insurance at $566 average monthly. County-specific availability patterns affect plan access statewide, though Neighborhood Health Plan maintains Rhode Island's lowest rates overall. Blue Cross Blue Shield also offers competitive rates.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Rhode Island: Affordable Plans for 2026
Updated: January 27, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island is Rhode Island's most affordable health insurance provider, with an average monthly premium of $566.
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island offers the cheapest rates for teens, young adults, adults, seniors and HMO plans. Blue Cross Blue Shield has the lowest PPO, POS and Platinum rates.
Compare at least three insurers during Open Enrollment to find affordable coverage. Spending 30 minutes comparing plans can save you hundreds annually.
Most Affordable Health Insurance Companies in Rhode Island
| Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $566 | $155 | $6,792 | $1,860 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $790 | $69 | $9,480 | $828 |
* We calculate average monthly rates by taking the rounded average of each provider’s monthly plan rates in Rhode Island. We calculate average monthly savings by subtracting the statewide average monthly rate from each provider’s average to show how much cheaper they are than the overall state average. Your actual rates will vary based on age, location and chosen plan.
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Avg. Monthly Rate
$566Avg. MOOP
$7,800Avg. Deductible
$4,403
Cheapest Rhode Island Health Insurance Providers By Profile
Three variables affect which insurer costs you least: your age, which plan type you choose and your metal tier. Premiums show up on your monthly bill. Deductibles and out-of-pocket caps hit when you actually need care.
| Teens | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $362 | $4,345 | $8,700 | $4,750 |
| Young Adults | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $406 | $4,873 | $8,700 | $4,750 |
| With Health Savings Account Eligibility | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $488 | $5,860 | $7,650 | $3,850 |
| Adults | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $507 | $6,082 | $8,700 | $4,750 |
| HMO | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $507 | $6,082 | $8,700 | $4,750 |
| POS | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $597 | $7,167 | $8,100 | $4,975 |
| PPO | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $704 | $8,444 | $9,400 | $6,000 |
| Seniors | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $1,076 | $12,915 | $8,700 | $4,750 |
* Rates shown are averages for silver-tier plans, using the following ages for each group: teens age 18, young adults age 26, adults age 40, seniors age 60. For plan type costs, we used average rates for 40-year-olds.
Cheapest Rhode Island Health Insurance By Metal Level
Monthly premium amounts and care-related expenses move in opposite directions based on metal tier selection. Lower premiums mean higher costs when you visit doctors or fill prescriptions. Higher premiums reduce what you pay at the pharmacy or doctor's office. The math depends on how often you need doctors. Someone managing diabetes who sees specialists quarterly saves money on Gold despite higher premiums because they'll hit Bronze's $7,000 deductible anyway.
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island offers Rhode Island's cheapest Bronze, Silver and Gold plans at $372, $488 and $508 monthly. Blue Cross Blue Shield provides the lowest Platinum coverage at $880.
| Bronze | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $372 | $4,468 | $8,250 | $7,000 |
| Silver | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $488 | $5,860 | $7,650 | $3,850 |
| Gold | Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | $508 | $6,091 | $6,600 | $2,013 |
| Platinum | Blue Cross Blue Shield | $880 | $10,557 | $2,500 | $950 |
* Rates shown are the provider's average at the given metal tier for 40-year-olds.
Compare Cheap Rhode Island Health Insurance Plans
Check the following table to identify the cheapest health insurance options in Rhode Island that match your needs:
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island | Neighborhood PRIMARY 4750/9500 | $507 | HMO | Silver | $8,700 | $4,750 | 40 | No |
How to Find the Cheapest Health Insurance in Rhode Island
Health insurance shopping involves comparing premiums, deductibles and networks across multiple insurers. Six tactics help find affordable coverage:
- 1Choose a plan type within your budget
Your health circumstances and income determine which type of plan and metal tier work best. Calculate your monthly premium budget, assess your current health status and evaluate your injury or illness risk based on age, location and lifestyle.
- 2Check if you qualify for subsidies
Your household income and size determine eligibility for 2026 health insurance subsidies. Subsidies apply to incomes between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Lower incomes receive larger subsidies, with credit amounts decreasing as income rises.
- 3Explore Medicare options if you qualify
Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplement plans cost less than marketplace coverage. Compare eligibility requirements and benefits for each program.
- 4Verify prescription coverage
Check which tier your medications fall under for each insurer. Some plans place common prescriptions on lower tiers with smaller copays, potentially saving you hundreds annually.
- 5Shop during Open Enrollment period
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 to January 15. You may qualify for Special Enrollment if you've lost your job, divorced or had a child. Compare coverage types, customer ratings, costs and whether your doctors accept the plan.
- 6Research Rhode Island marketplace options
Rhode Island operates its own state exchange, HealthSource RI, which may offer different plan options than federal marketplaces. Local insurers understand state regulations and provider networks better. Compare both state exchange and private market options to find the best fit for your needs and budget.
Cheapest Health Insurance in Rhode Island: Bottom Line
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island costs $566 monthly on average, followed by Blue Cross Blue Shield at $790, making them the cheapest health insurance providers in Rhode Island. Comparing quotes from both insurers across Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers shows which combination of monthly premiums and deductibles costs less based on your expected doctor visits and prescriptions.
Cheap Rhode Island Health Insurance: FAQ
We answer typical questions about affordable health insurance in Rhode Island:
What is the cheapest health insurance in Rhode Island?
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island offers the cheapest health insurance, with Silver plans starting at $507 monthly for 40-year-olds.
What are the downsides of a cheap health insurance plan?
Cheap plans charge higher deductibles and out-of-pocket costs when you need medical care. You'll pay less monthly but more when using services. Higher-premium plans cost more upfront but reduce what you pay for doctor visits, prescriptions and procedures.
Do I qualify for subsidies on health insurance in Rhode Island?
Subsidies reduce monthly premiums through HealthSource RI, Rhode Island's health insurance marketplace. Enter your household income during enrollment to check eligibility.
When can I enroll in health insurance in Rhode Island?
You can enroll in Rhode Island health insurance during Open Enrollment from November 1 to January 15. You might also qualify for Special Enrollment if you've experienced a qualifying life event like job loss, marriage or having a baby.
How We Decided the Cheapest Health Insurance Companies in Rhode Island
We gathered plan information from HealthSource RI for consumers aged 18 to 60, specifically examining costs for 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60-year-olds. Our cheapest overall rankings focus on 40-year-olds' monthly premiums as this age group is most common demographically and provides clear comparison. Age-specific rankings reflect their respective premium costs. Keep in mind that lower premiums often come with higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, which could increase your costs when receiving care.
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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.