Rhode Island COBRA and Extended Health Insurance Benefits

Individuals in Rhode Island who have lost their job or had their work hours reduced may be eligible to continue their health insurance through either federal COBRA or the state’s Mini-COBRA law, known as Rhode Island Extended Benefits. These options help ensure ongoing access to group health coverage during periods of transition.

Federal COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees and typically offers up to 18 months of continuation coverage. Rhode Island’s Extended Benefits law applies to smaller group plans and allows eligible individuals to continue their existing health coverage for up to 18 months under qualifying conditions such as involuntary layoff or workplace closure.

Rhode Island's Mini-COBRA Law

Rhode Island’s Mini-COBRA law, referred to as Rhode Island Extended Benefits, offers continuation of group health coverage to employees who lose eligibility due to specific qualifying events. As outlined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-19.1-1, the law applies to group hospital, surgical, dental, vision, or medical insurance plans and covers eligible individuals for up to 18 months after termination or loss of eligibility.

• Employer Size: Applies to group plans with 50 or fewer members; additional provisions apply if the group has more than 50 and the workplace ceases to exist.
• Eligibility: Involuntarily laid-off employees, surviving spouses, and covered dependents who were enrolled in the group plan at the time of the qualifying event.
• Qualifying Events: Involuntary termination of employment, death of the covered employee, or closure of the workplace.
• Coverage Duration: Up to 18 months from the date of the qualifying event or until the individual becomes eligible for another group plan, whichever comes first.
• Premium Payment: The individual is required to pay the applicable monthly premium directly to the insurance carrier or plan administrator.
• Election Period: Eligible individuals must elect coverage within 30 days of qualification under the law.
• How to Apply: After a qualifying event, the employer or insurer is required to provide written notice of continuation rights. Eligible individuals must follow the instructions in that notice to elect coverage and submit premium payments within the required time period.

Alternative Low Cost Medical Plans in Rhode Island

Continuing an employer plan in Rhode Island with Mini-COBRA is around $589/mo, per individual. If COBRA is unavailable or is outside of your budget, you do have affordable other options for health coverage. See below.

The cost of health insurance is determined by your age and state of residency.