Rhode Island Medicaid: 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Rhode Island
Rhode Island Medicaid does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Rhode Island resident applies fresh through Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Rhode Island's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Rhode Island
Leaving Rhode Island ends your Rhode Island Medicaid case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services ↗ (application page)
Rhode Island Medicaid at a glance
| Program name | Rhode Island Medicaid |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations); RI DHS sends the eligibility decision notice |
Rhode Island Medicaid income limits for adults (2026)
Rhode Island expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so adults with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level can qualify without fitting a category such as disability or pregnancy. Federal law (Public Law 119-21) adds a work condition for most of these adults from January 1, 2027 (earlier in some states, and later only in a state granted an extension, which cannot run past 2028): they must show 80 hours a month of work, school, job training, or community service, unless they are exempt (for example, parents of a child 13 or under, pregnant people, and people with a disability). New applicants may have to show it for 1 to 3 consecutive months immediately preceding the month they apply.
| Household size | Monthly income limit | Yearly income limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,836 | $22,025 |
| 2 people | $2,489 | $29,864 |
| 3 people | $3,142 | $37,702 |
| 4 people | $3,795 | $45,540 |
| 5 people | $4,449 | $53,379 |
| 6 people | $5,102 | $61,217 |
| 7 people | $5,755 | $69,056 |
| 8 people | $6,408 | $76,894 |
| Each additional person | +$654 | +$7,839 |
- Computed as 138% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (48 contiguous states and DC), rounded up to the dollar. Rhode Island's own chart controls, and states often switch to the new year's guidelines partway through the year — so the agency's chart may still show lower 2025 figures.
- The adult limit counts income under MAGI (modified adjusted gross income) rules. Children and pregnant people usually have higher limits; people 65+ or with a disability are assessed under different, non-MAGI rules that often include an asset test — ask the agency below.
Federal source: HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)
How to apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island
Apply with Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services online at healthsourceri.com. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations); RI DHS sends the eligibility decision notice.
Common questions
What is the Medicaid income limit in Rhode Island for 2026?
For adults, 138% of the federal poverty level: about $1,836 a month for one person and $3,795 a month for a family of four in 2026. Children, pregnant people, and people 65+ or with a disability have separate limits.
Can I keep Rhode Island Medicaid if I move to another state?
No. Medicaid covers residents only, so Rhode Island coverage ends once you live elsewhere. Report the move to Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services and apply in your new state right away; eligibility there is decided on that state's own rules.
How do I apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island?
Apply with Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services online at healthsourceri.com. Processing time: federal 45-day standard (90 days for disability determinations); RI DHS sends the eligibility decision notice.
Who runs Medicaid in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Rhode Island make new residents wait for Medicaid?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Rhode Island; eligibility is decided on Rhode Island's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Rhode Island?
Contact Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving Rhode Island
From Rhode Island to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Rhode Island from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in Rhode Island
- SNAP in Rhode Island
- WIC in Rhode Island
- Unemployment in Rhode Island
- TANF in Rhode Island
- Medicaid in every state
- State benefits statistics
Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Medicaid expansion · Retroactive Medicaid coverage
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .
- HealthSource RI — Medicaid (how to apply) — accessed 2026-08-08
- RI EOHHS — Health Care — accessed 2026-08-08