Changes to Medicaid Eligibility for Non-Citizens

New federal laws will stop Medicaid for some people who are not U.S. citizens. Starting October 1, 2026, only the following groups of non-citizens will be eligible for Medicaid: 

• Lawfully permanent residents (after the five-year waiting period, if applicable); 
• Cuban/Haitian entrants; 
• COFA migrants (i.e. people from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau); and 
• Children and pregnant people. 

If your immigration status recently changed to one of these groups, please update your account information so your Medicaid coverage can continue.

Medicaid will continue to cover emergency care regardless of immigration status.

If this new federal law will affect your Medicaid, the State will let you know before it goes into effect. You will get a notice from the State of Rhode Island in your HealthyRhode account. If you’ve signed up to receive paper notices, you will also get a copy sent to you in the mail.

The notice will have information about other ways to get healthcare. It will also have information about how to file an appeal if you disagree with any decision the State makes about your Medicaid coverage.