Official State of Rhode Island website

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State of Rhode Island, Stay Covered RI , Health Coverage through Medicaid

Medicaid Benefits for Families with Children

Your Medicaid benefits help you keep your family healthy. Medicaid is there for your family when you or your child need routine healthcare, and when you experience illness or injury.  

Families can get Medicaid in different ways. Your type of Medicaid may be different from the type of Medicaid someone else gets.  

Your family may get Medicaid through: 

RIte Care 

RIte Care is the name of Rhode Island’s Medicaid managed care for families with children under age 19 and pregnant women. Your family size and your income determine if you’re eligible for RIte Care. If you have RIte Care, you can choose to get your Medicaid benefits through one of three participating managed care organizations (MCOs), also known as health plans. Learn more about RIte Care. 

RIte Share 

RIte Share is a Medicaid program that helps you pay for health insurance. If you’re eligible, Medicaid will pay for all or part of the cost of an insurance plan you get through an employer. RIte Share is for households with at least one family member who is eligible for Medicaid and can get insurance from their job. Learn more about the RIte Share premium assistance program. 

All children and adolescents who have Medicaid get preventive and routine healthcare services. Children can also get specialized health services, including services if they have special needs, if a healthcare professional determines they need them. Healthcare services for children with Medicaid include Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) services, such as: 

  • Regular check-ups.
  • Screenings for physical, mental, developmental, dental, hearing, vision, and other tests.
  • Diagnostic tests to find out if a child has a health condition.
  • Treatment to control, correct, or reduce health conditions a child may have. 

Learn more about Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT)

Durable medical equipment 

If your child needs medical equipment such as mobility aids, assistive technology, or equipment to help them with breathing or feeding, Medicaid may cover this equipment if your child is eligible. Talk with your child’s healthcare team about their needs. Learn more about durable medical equipment and Medicaid. 

There are other programs and services that can help your child stay healthy and support their growth and development. These programs include: 

Early Intervention Program 

Rhode Island’s Early Intervention Program is a no-cost program that supports the growth and development of certain infants and toddlers. If your child has developmental disabilities or delays that can affect their physical abilities, social skills, or speech, they may be eligible for Early Intervention. Learn more about the Early Intervention Program

RIte Smiles (Dental Care) 

RIte Smiles is a dental plan for children who were born after May 1, 2000, and receive Medicaid. If your child has Medicaid, they get RIte Smiles automatically as long as they don’t have other dental insurance. Learn more about RIte Smiles

The State of Rhode Island offers many resources to help families with children stay healthy and thrive. Learn more about other helpful programs, agencies, and services.  

Help Keep Your Child Healthy 

Learn more about programs and services for young children and adolescents or get in touch with EOHHS