Medicare in Rhode Island: 2026 Plans, Costs, and Enrollment Guide
- 32 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide (Rhode Island: 5 counties; CMS 2026 Fact Sheet)
- 15 Medigap carriers offering Plan G (TPP rate database, CY2026)
- 11 standalone Part D plans in PDP Region 2 (CT/MA/RI/VT)
- Avg MA premium $17.67/mo in 2026 (was $14.06 in 2025) (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet)
- LIS benchmark: $35.76/mo (Region 2)
Rhode Island Medicare Snapshot
Rhode Island has 32 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide for 2026 (CMS 2026 Medicare MA & Part D Landscape State-by-State Fact Sheet), with the specific plans offered varying by county within Rhode Island’s 5 counties. Most Rhode Island Medigap policies are attained-age rated.
The average monthly MA premium in Rhode Island is $17.67 in 2026 (changed from $14.06 in 2025; CMS 2026 Fact Sheet). The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month in 2026.
| Metric | Rhode Island 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MA plans available | 32 statewide (Rhode Island: 5 counties) | CMS 2026 MA & Part D Landscape Fact Sheet |
| Avg MA premium | $17.67/mo (2025: $14.06) | CMS 2026 MA & Part D Landscape Fact Sheet |
| Medigap carriers (Plan G) | 15 (most carriers use attained-age) | TPP internal data, CY2026 |
| HDG carriers | 8 (most carriers use attained-age) | TPP internal data, CY2026 |
| Standalone Part D plans | 11 (PDP Region 2 — CT/MA/RI/VT) | CMS 2026 MA & Part D Landscape Fact Sheet |
| Part D LIS benchmark (Region 2) | $35.76/mo | CMS CY2026 Regional Rates & Benchmarks |
Plan Types Available in Rhode Island
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Rhode Island offers 32 Medicare Advantage plans statewide for 2026 (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet). Top MA carriers include UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and Aetna Medicare. Check Medicare Plan Finder for per-plan star ratings in your county.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
Rhode Island uses the standard federal Medigap plan letters (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N, plus HDG and HDF). 15 carriers offer Plan G in Rhode Island in the TPP rate database (CY2026, non-tobacco, ages 65–85). Plans C, F, and High-Deductible Plan F (HDF) are closed to anyone who first became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020 (under MACRA 2015); beneficiaries who were Medicare-eligible before that date may still buy Plans C, F, or HDF from carriers that continue to offer them. High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) is the post-2020 high-deductible Medigap option and is offered by 8 Rhode Island carriers.
Most Rhode Island Medigap policies are attained-age rated. See our MA vs Medigap comparison →
Standalone Part D (Prescription Drug Plans)
Rhode Island is in CMS PDP Region 2 (CT/MA/RI/VT). For 2026, there are 11 standalone PDP plans available (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet).
Costs in Rhode Island
Medicare Advantage Premiums
The average monthly MA premium in Rhode Island is $17.67 in 2026 (changed from $14.06 in 2025; CMS 2026 Fact Sheet). The standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90/month in 2026.
Medigap Premiums — Plan G and HDG
Most Rhode Island Medigap policies are attained-age rated. Across the 15 Rhode Island Plan G carriers (non-tobacco, ages 65–85), Plan G monthly premiums in 2026 range from approximately $145 to $499/month(TPP rate database, CY2026).
High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) is offered by 8 Rhode Island carriers; premiums range from approximately $136 to $849/month(TPP rate database, CY2026). HDG works well for beneficiaries who want catastrophic protection at a lower monthly cost and can absorb the high-deductible amount (CMS’s 2026 Medigap high-deductible options notice publishes the current dollar figure).
Part D Costs and the LIS Benchmark
For 2026, Rhode Island (PDP Region 2 — CT/MA/RI/VT) has 11 standalone PDP plans (CMS 2026 Fact Sheet). The CMS Low Income Subsidy (LIS / Extra Help) benchmark premium for Region 2 is$35.76/month (CMS CY2026 Regional Rates and Benchmarks).
Rhode Island-Specific Medicare Rules
Rhode Island Year-Round Guaranteed-Issue Medigap (R.I. Gen. Laws §27-18.5-2)
Rhode Island requires Medigap insurers to provide a continuous open enrollment / guaranteed-issue period — beneficiaries can apply for or switch to a Medigap policy of equal or lesser benefits any time of year, without medical underwriting, with no age cap.
Rhode Island is one of a small group of states (with Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington — each with its own statutory variant and limits) that require Medigap protections beyond the federal 6-month Open Enrollment Period.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)
Rhode Island offers Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) through Rhode Island Medicaid (EOHHS):
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Covers Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Covers Part B premiums only.
- QI (Qualifying Individual): Also covers Part B premiums; subject to annual appropriations.
Apply through Rhode Island Medicaid (EOHHS) or contact Rhode Island SHIP (1-401-462-0530) for free enrollment assistance. MSP enrollment also automatically qualifies you for Extra Help / LIS on Part D. Learn more about MSPs →
Rhode Island SHIP
Rhode Island SHIP is Rhode Island's federally designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). It provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling statewide through trained volunteers.
Phone: 1-401-462-0530
Website: dea.ri.gov/programs-and-services/health-benefits-counseling/ship/
Enrolling in Medicare in Rhode Island
Standard Enrollment Periods
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window centered on your 65th birthday month. Enroll at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
- Annual Election Period (AEP): October 15 – December 7 each year.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 – March 31.
- Federal 6-month Medigap OEP: Starts when you are 65+ and enrolled in Part B.
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs): Learn more →
Rhode Island SHIP Counseling
Contact Rhode Island SHIP at 1-401-462-0530 for free one-on-one Medicare guidance statewide.