Rhode Island Medicare Savings Program: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply
What the Medicare Savings Programs Cover in Rhode Island
Rhode Island runs two Medicare Savings Programs through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Human Services (DHS). The state calls them the Medicare Premium Payment Program (MPPP), and they pay Medicare costs that would otherwise come out of a senior's Social Security check or pocket.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) is the more comprehensive tier. It covers the monthly Part B premium ($202.90 in 2026), the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period), the Part B annual deductible ($283), and all Medicare copayments and coinsurance. QMB enrollees also get federal billing protections — no Medicare provider can bill them for cost-sharing, even if Medicaid pays the provider nothing.
Qualifying Individual (QI) covers the Part B premium only. It's funded by a federal block grant, so Rhode Island awards QI spots on a first-come, first-served basis each calendar year.
Both programs automatically qualify enrollees for Extra Help (the Part D Low-Income Subsidy), which drops prescription drug copays to $5.10 for generics and $12.65 for brand-name medications.
Who Qualifies: 2026 Income and Asset Limits
Rhode Island uses gross monthly income before any deductions. A standard $20 unearned income disregard is already built into the published limits, so don't subtract $20 from your own figure — that's a common mistake that leads to inaccurate self-screening.
| Program | Individual Income | Couple Income | Individual Assets | Couple Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | $1,683/month | $2,275/month | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| QI | $2,255/month | $3,050/month | $9,950 | $14,910 |
Your primary home, one vehicle, burial plots, and up to $1,500 in a dedicated burial fund are excluded from countable assets. An adult child's income and assets are never counted, even if the senior lives in the child's home.
The February 2026 SLMB-to-QMB Expansion
Effective February 1, 2026, Rhode Island collapsed the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) tier into QMB. Previously, people with income between 100% and 120% of the federal poverty level only got Part B premium help through SLMB. Now they get full QMB benefits — premiums, deductibles, copayments, and balance billing protections.
If you were enrolled in SLMB before February 2026, DHS should have upgraded you automatically. If your benefits still show SLMB-level coverage, contact DHS at 1-855-697-4347 to confirm the transition.
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How to Apply
Rhode Island accepts MPPP applications through several channels:
- Online: Create an account at healthyrhode.ri.gov and select the "Medicare Premium Payment" option. Don't start a general Medicaid/MAGI application — that routes your paperwork incorrectly.
- Paper: Download the MPP-1 form from eohhs.ri.gov or request one by phone. Mail completed forms to RI DHS, P.O. Box 8709, Cranston, RI 02920-8787.
- In person: Walk into any DHS field office (Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Wakefield, or Middletown). Most offices have 24/7 exterior drop boxes.
- Phone: Call 1-855-697-4347 (1-855-MY-RIDHS), Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.
You'll need your Medicare card, a Social Security benefit letter showing gross monthly income, bank statements covering the past one to three months, and proof of Rhode Island residency.
DHS must issue a decision within 45 days. QMB coverage starts the first of the month after approval. QI coverage can be retroactive to the month you applied — and up to three months earlier within the same calendar year if you met the limits during those months.
What Happens After Approval
Once DHS approves your application, it sends a buy-in file to CMS, which tells the Social Security Administration to stop deducting the $202.90 Part B premium from your check. This takes 60 to 90 days to process. During that lag, the premium is still withheld — but SSA will issue a retroactive refund for every month covered by your approval date.
Don't cancel your Part B enrollment while waiting for the buy-in to process.
The full Rhode Island Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help & RIPAE Guide walks through every step of the application, tracks the refund timeline, and includes templates for handling billing disputes after QMB approval.
Get Your Free Rhode Island — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist
Download the Rhode Island — Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.