Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies

Rhode Island does not require insurers to offer Medicare Supplement policies to adults with disabilities.

 

Mini-COBRA Policies

Rhode Island requires employers to provide continuation coverage for eighteen months.

 

State Disability Program

Rhode Island offers disability insurance benefits to those who lose wages due to weeks spent disabled. For more information, see: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/tdi/

 

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program

Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance for the Elderly provides elderly, low-income residents who are enrolled in Medicare Part D. For more information, see: http://www.dea.ri.gov/programs/prescription_assist.php

 

State Medicare Savings Programs

Rhode Island has three Medicare Savings Programs:

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs): For individuals with a monthly income under $903 and for couples with a monthly income under $1214, the state pays all premiums for Part B and all Co-Pays and Deductibles for Parts A & B.

• Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMBs): For individuals with income under $1083 or couples with income under $1457, the state pays premiums for Part B.

• Qualified Individuals (QIs): For individuals with income under $1218 or for couples with an income under $1639, the state pays premiums for Part B.

To qualify for any one of these programs, participants must have assets below $6,600 or be part of a couple with assets below $9,910.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program
The State Department of Elder Affairs’ Customer Information Center offers information and referral services through a toll-free telephone line. Significant SHIP projects include publication of the Rhode Island Guide to Buying Medicare Supplemental Insurance and Medicare Managed Care Plans, which is updated frequently throughout the year. SHIP also coordinates with the State’s elderly housing resident services coordinators, other good resources for information.

http://adrc.ohhs.ri.gov/information/health_insurance_counseling.php

High-Risk Pool
Rhode Island does not have a state-run high-risk insurance pool.

Low-Income Subsidy (“extra-help”) for Prescription Drugs 
This program is a subsidy for Part D recipients with resources under $13,070 (or $26,120 for a couple) to receive money towards a Medicare prescription drug plan. The benchmark of support is different depending on which region of the country you live in. In Rhode Island in 2012, the low-income subsidy was $32.04 per month.

 

If you live in Rhode Island, and you are interested in getting a Medicare Plan, please contact the Medicare experts at eAmeriFamily Insurance.  They are industry veterans and will guide you through the process of getting the right Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or MediGap Plan for you.