UPDATE: In 2020, the rules and steps related to applying for Medicaid are expected to remain the same.
Interested parties who want to know how to apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island may believe that the joint federal and state program is difficult to enroll. The Rhode Island Medicaid application process is relatively easy with recent changes made by the state. The Rhode Island Medicaid application form allows state officials to select eligible candidates to provide free or low-cost health insurance to families with children, disabled adults, adults with children, children and pregnant women.
Since the online marketplace opened, allowing more people to access healthcare options, more than 300,000 residents of Rhode Island have qualified and enrolled in Medicaid. To learn more about the application process for Medicaid, download our comprehensive guide.
To learn how and where to apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island, review the details provided in the sections below:
- How to Apply for Medicaid Online in Rhode Island
- How to Apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island by Phone
- How to Submit a Medicaid Application Form in Rhode Island by Mail
- Where to Apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island in Person
How to Apply for Medicaid Online in Rhode Island
Where do you sign up for Medicaid in Rhode Island? The quickest and easiest way to submit a RI Medicaid application is to apply through the online health exchange. To apply for Medicaid online, create a Medicaid account by logging into the Rhode Island Medicaid website. Once you are there, you will need to create a username and password to access data for your region.
The system will ask you a series of questions about your current health insurance status, your residency and your current income. You will need to provide your Social Security Number and proof of Rhode Island residency to be eligible to continue with your application. If you have a job, you will need to provide income verification. Discover all of the steps you must take when applying for Medicaid by downloading our detailed guide.
If you already have health insurance, you will have to answer questions about your current coverage. You may still be able to qualify for Medicaid depending on your circumstances. If you are applying for Medicaid based on disability, you will need to furnish verification of your disability. Some Medicaid applicants may need to present additional documentation from a doctor.
Finally, you will be asked to verify all the information you have entered and to “sign” your application electronically. The website will walk you through every step and show how to apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island via web. Once you submit your Medicaid application form, the state will review it. Rhode Island uses electronic verification databases to ensure the information submitted is correct. Whether you qualify for Medicaid or not, you will receive a letter or phone call to let you know the status of your case.
How to Apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island by Phone
While most people in Rhode Island apply for Medicaid online, there is a phone option for those who do not feel comfortable completing their application online. The Rhode Island Medicaid application process has a team of trained professionals available at the DEA Home and Community Care hotline. To help individuals fill out their Medicaid application forms the staff is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Before you call, it is important that you have all of your verifying information available and at the ready. You will need the Social Security Number of all members of your family in addition to a W-2 for income verification, if you work. In the event you do not have all of the required information on hand, you can still apply.
Once you have applied on the phone, Medicaid officials may be contact you for further identity verifying information, if you were unable to provide all the information needed at the time. Once the state processes your Medicaid application, they make a decision on your eligibility within 30 days of the application. If the state approves your Medicaid application form, you will receive your Medicaid card and accompanying benefits information within seven business days of approval.
How to Submit a Medicaid Application Form in Rhode Island by Mail
You can download and print a Rhode Island Medicaid application online. You can also choose to have the Department of Health and Human Services mail you a paper application. Try to complete the Medicaid application form to the best of your ability. If any of your family members live with you, you will need their names, birthdates and Social Security Numbers, as well.
To ensure your application does not need further review, make sure you provide all of the information asked of you on the application. Individuals who are currently holding jobs will need to provide income information. Those who are considered a dependent of another member of the household will need to provide the head of household’s information and income data.
Once you have completed your RI Medicaid application, mail it to the Department of Human Services at:
206 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02907
It may take a few weeks to process your Medicaid application form, but applicants typically receive a response within 30 days. If you are applying for Medicaid on the basis of disability, it can take up to 90 days to get a decision from the Medicaid office. If you have not received a response within a month, you can visit your local DHS office or call the office. A trained staff member can give you information regarding the status of your application.
Where to Apply for Medicaid in Rhode Island in Person
Where do you sign up for Medicaid in Rhode Island? Medicaid application forms in Rhode Island are available for submission in person at the local Department of Human Services office. Local office information is available directly on the state’s Human Services website. Any of the offices can help you fill out a Medicaid application, so pick a location closest to your home, as you may need to return with more information. Before you head down to a local office, please ensure you have all of the necessary identifying information with you. You may print an application beforehand to ensure all of your information is correct and you have accompanying documentation.