Rhode Island Medicaid Resources:

• State Medicaid Website: Rhode Island
• Rhode Island Developmental Disabilities Council Website
• Chapters of the Arc in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Medicaid Facts: From Kaiser Family Foundation Medicaid Fact Sheet (2009)

There are 40,600 people with disabilities covered by Medicaid in Rhode Island. Rhode Island spent $20,220 for each Medicaid recipient with a disability in 2007.

21% of all people covered by Medicaid in Rhode Island have a disability, which is much higher than the national percentage of Medicaid recipients with disabilities (15%).

Rhode Island spends 48% of all the money it spends on Medicaid on services for people with disabilities, which is also higher than the national percentage of Medicaid spending on these services (42%).

Global Consumer Choice Compact:

This program covers children with special needs as defined by the state, but will not cover most adults with disabilities. The program covers many basic health care services. This program does not cover children who have other insurance or those who are covered under an HCBS waiver.

• Community: transportation
• Health: durable medical equipment, early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment, hearing, immunization, hospital, mental health, substance abuse treatment, laboratory, nutrition, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician services, podiatry, skilled nursing facilities, speech therapy, vision, x-ray
• Home: home health care
• Social Services: interpreters, case management

Rhody Health Partners:

This program covers adults with disabilities, except those who are also eligible for Medicare and those who reside in institutions. It provides access to basic medical services.

• Community: transportation
• Health: durable medical equipment, family planning, hearing, hospice, hospital, immunization, mental health, substance abuse treatment, laboratory, nutrition, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician services, podiatry, skilled nursing facilities, smoking cessation, speech therapy, vision x-ray
• Home: home health care
• Social Services: interpreters

Rite Smiles:

This is a dental program that covers children with disabilities and people who are eligible for Medicare. It does not cover people residing in nursing or intermediate care facilities.

Ages: 11 and younger

• Health: dental

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE):

PACE programs are designed for people 55 and older who need nursing care, which includes many people with disabilities. These programs provide integrated care and support including a high level of preventive care. PACE programs must provide all services otherwise included in a person’s Medicaid or Medicare benefit, as well as all other services deemed medically necessary.

Ages: 55 and older

Level of Care: nursing

Restrictions: you must live close enough to an approved PACE center to be eligible.

• Community: day care, health-related transportation
• Health: primary and specialty care, nursing, social services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, recreation therapy, prescription drugs
• Home: home care, home and environmental modifications