RI Health Insurers Pushing for Rate Increases as High as 35%

RI Health Insurers Pushing for Rate Increases as High as 35%

The spiraling cost of health insurance is hitting record highs. And Rhode Island businesses are about to get clobbered again due to the rate increases requested by the health insurance industry.

 

The Office of Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) released the individual, small group, and large group market premium rates requested by Rhode Island’s insurers. The requests were filed as part of OHIC’s rate review process (for coverage effective on or after January 1, 2027).

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“Health insurers are once again seeking rate increases to cover the rising cost of health care and other expenses,” said Health Insurance Commissioner Cory King. He continued: “OHIC will thoroughly review these requests to determine whether they are justified.”

 

These proposed rate increases come on the heels of a dramatic increase effective for this year.  According to OHIC’s approval now in effect, the weighted average rate changes for 2026 are 21.0% for the individual market, 17.6% for the small group market, and 19.3% for the large group market.”

 

 

Two insurers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (NHPRI), filed rates for plans to be sold on the individual market to people and families who do not receive insurance through their employer.

 

 

 

This year, the individual market rates filed by NHPRI will be considered as part of an administrative hearing process. The hearing is scheduled for the following dates:

NHPRI Hearing: July 14th and July 15th.

Additional details on the rate hearing can be found in the Public Comment Solicitation. OHIC will accept written public comments on the proposed rates through Friday July 24, 2026. Comments may be submitted in writing via email to [email protected] or via postal mail to:

Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner

1511 Pontiac Avenue

Building #69

Cranston, RI 02920

 

OHIC will also hear public comments at a virtual town hall to be held on Monday July 20, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The virtual town hall will be held on the Zoom platform at the following link: Rate Review Virtual Town Hall: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84674747162

For more detailed information on the filings please visit: https://ohic.ri.gov/regulatory-review/rate-review

For more detailed information on the health insurance market in Rhode Island see: Rhode Island Market Summary.