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Rhode Island Health Insurance Marketplaces and Exchanges

To get affordable health insurance in Rhode Island, choose one of the following:

What This Page Covers

After reading this page, you will know more about Rhode Island health insurance marketplaces and exchanges. You will learn the difference between the public and private marketplaces and exchanges, what they give you access to, the pros and cons of using public vs private exchanges, and who manages each exchange.

What Are Health Insurance Marketplaces And Exchanges?

Exchanges or marketplaces are services that enable enrollment in insurance through a public or private forum. These forums are accessible through multiple portals and websites.

Rhode Island Private Exchanges vs Public Exchanges

Private Exchanges

The private exchange is designed for employers to allow employees to enroll in a pre-selected company health insurance plan. It also allows individuals and small businesses to shop for and enroll in coverage plans during the open enrollment window. Consulting firms or brokers typically run the private exchange utilized by an employer.

The following carriers are available through private exchanges or third parties in Rhode Island:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island
UnitedHealthcare
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island

Public Exchanges

The public exchange for Rhode Island is run by the State as HealthSource RI, and has been very successful in lowering the number of people without insurance.

Applying through a public exchange will enable you to find out whether you qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or other discounts based on income level.

The following carriers are available through the Rhode Island public exchange: