Rhode Island Health Insurance

Rhode Island proves that size really doesn't matter, at least when it comes to health insurance. Though it may be the smallest of the 50 states, Newsweek recently rated Rhode Island the best quality health care in the nation.

This should put you at ease, although it won't make the process of buying health insurance any less complicated! That's why we at Health-Insurance.org have put together some essential information that will help you to get the best coverage possible.

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Rhode Island Individual Health Insurance Policies

The easiest way for you to get medical coverage in Rhode Island is to join a group network, such as an HMO or PPO, for example. These are cost-effective, but do have some restrictions, such as allowing you only to visit doctors within the company's network. If you want more flexibility and are willing to spend the money, try getting a policy from an individual insurer.

Other things you should know about Rhode Island individual health plans:

• Individual insurers may reject you if you have a health problem.
• If you have a non-guaranteed issue policy and have a preexisting condition, beware – your carrier is allowed to limit the coverage of that condition.
• Rhode Island does not limit the amount of money a health carrier can charge you.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island may be able to provide you with a policy if other carriers turn you down. To learn more, see our section about preexisting conditions below.

Rhode Island Family Health Coverage (RI)

If you need health coverage for your family, you have the same choices that individuals do, although the regulations governing group health insurance are a bit different. The good news for your household is that carriers can't turn you down because of a health problem, as long as you're qualified for group coverage.

Special conditions, such as a recent marriage, divorce, childbirth, adoption, or job loss, may make you eligible for special opportunities to acquire family coverage. The same is true if you have a newborn, adopted, or disabled child. Be aware that Rhode Island health insurance companies can look for preexisting conditions in the past 6 months of your family's medical records, and can add an exclusion period to your policy.

Need health insurance in Rhode Island? Request your free health plan quote!

Rhode Island Health Plan Options for Those with Preexisting Conditions

Insurance companies in Rhode Island are generally allowed to turn an applicant down because of health issues and other factors. However, in some cases, the applicant may be eligible for a guaranteed issue policy. If the applicant has 12 months of prior continuous coverage, with no gap, all private insurance companies in Rhode Island must offer the applicant a choice of at least two policies similar to those sold to every other resident. The applicant cannot be turned down because of their health.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island is required by law to offer health insurance to residents, regardless of preexisting conditions, on a guaranteed issue basis during a 30-day annual open enrollment period. These policies will not impose a preexisting condition exclusion period. In Rhode Island, pregnancy can be considered a preexisting condition, although genetic information cannot.

If you have missed the 30-day open enrollment period, the best bet may be to get temporary, short-term coverage in the interim. But, try to make sure you have 12 consecutive months of coverage.

Finding Health Care Plans in Rhode Island

Certain life changes may make it necessary for you to change your health plan. If you're between jobs for example, your old employee benefits won't follow you to your new job. However, if you exercise your state continuation rights (COBRA), you may be able to keep that same plan. Similarly, you can buy a conversion plan, which is coverage from the same company that your previous employer used.

Moving away from Rhode Island? If you're not HIPAA-eligible, you may not be able to purchase individual insurance in another state.

Request a free Rhode Island health insurance quote!

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