Rhode Island Health Insurance Rates Rose for 2027
The state approved double-digit increases for individual plans, impacting nearly 170,000 residents across Rhode Island.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Insurance
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The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner recently approved 2027 premium rate hikes, including a 12.4% average increase for the individual market. These changes will impact nearly 170,000 Rhode Islanders starting in 2027.
Why it matters
Rising costs for hospital care, physician services, and prescription drugs drove the approved increases. These adjustments follow a state review that successfully cut $86.7 million from the total amounts originally requested by insurance companies.
The state approved average rate hikes of 12.4% for individual plans, 9.5% for large groups, and 3.8% for small groups. While these hikes impact 170,000 residents, the approved totals are $86.7 million lower than what insurers initially requested.
The players
Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner
The state agency that regulates health insurance premiums and ensures compliance with state and federal laws.
Peter Neronha
The Attorney General of Rhode Island who officially contested the proposed rate increases.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
A major health insurer that received approval for a 4.9% increase on its individual market plans.
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
A health insurance provider that received approval for a 15.8% increase on its individual market plans.
The details
The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner reached these figures after reviewing insurer spending on medical services and drugs to ensure compliance with state and federal laws. A new state law also now empowers the commissioner to set growth and investment targets for insurers. While individual and small group markets face these adjustments, 65% of residents with self-funded employer plans are exempt from these specific state rate changes.
Timeline
August 2026: The Attorney General's office filed objections to the proposed rate increases.
September 29, 2026: The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner announced the approval of the 2027 rates.
2027: The new premium rates and state subsidy program take effect for residents.
Money Landscape
Rhode Island is introducing a new state premium subsidy program to help 20,000 income-eligible customers mitigate costs. This move arrives as the state responds to the expiration of enhanced federal premium tax credits.
Residents should review their 2027 plan options, as premium increases vary significantly between providers like Blue Cross & Blue Shield and Neighborhood Health Plan. Income-eligible households should determine if they qualify for the new state premium subsidy program.
The takeaway
With health care costs identified by a University of Rhode Island study as the most worrisome household expense, residents should prioritize evaluating their 2027 plan premiums immediately. Consult a qualified financial professional to assess how these changes affect your specific household budget.
What happens next
The new premium rates and the state-run premium subsidy program for eligible HealthSource RI customers take effect in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about how coverage costs are determined in our guide on Insurance.
Source note: This article includes information reported by USA TODAY.
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