Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Rhode Island's health insurance mandate now in effect

Rhode Island's health coverage mandate is now in effect.

As of today -- January 1, 2020 -- all Rhode Islanders must have qualifying health coverage. Failure to have such "minimum essential coverage" in 2020 may result in a Rhode Island personal income tax penalty in 2021 (when you do your Rhode Island personal income tax return covering 2019). 

Most people have minimum essential coverage -- through employer-sponsored health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, or some other means -- and will not have to pay the penalty. 

Rhode Island residents who don't have such coverage can find out about their health insurance options by contacting Rhode Island's health insurance exchange -- HealthSource RI. To learn more about the mandate, click here.