Healthcare
Hospitals, insurance, doctors, and health resources across Rhode Island.
58 articles
CNA Salary in Rhode Island (2026): What Nursing Assistants Really Earn
Most CNAs in Rhode Island earn roughly $18 to $23 per hour in 2026 — about $37,000 to $48,000 a year full-time — with hospitals, state facilities, night shifts, and per diem work paying the most. Free training routes through Brown University Health, CCRI, and others can get you certified in weeks.
Rhode Island ACA marketplace health insurance guide
Rhode Island residents purchase Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance through HealthSource RI, the state's official health insurance marketplace located at 401 Wampanoag Trail, Suite 500, East Providence, RI 02915. Open enrollment typically runs from November 1 through January 31 annually, though qualifying life events allow for special enrollment periods year-round. Rhode Islanders can shop for plans online at healthsourceri.com, by phone at 1-855-840-4774, or in person with certified enrollment assisters throughout the state.
Rhode Island LGBTQ health resources 2026
Rhode Island offers comprehensive LGBTQ health resources through several dedicated providers, with The Thundermist Health Center's LGBTQ Health Program in West Warwick serving as the state's primary specialized clinic, alongside care through Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Association (RIPCPA), Open Door Health in Providence, and The Providence Center. Additionally, AIDS Care Ocean State provides HIV/AIDS services, while Brown University's Health Services offers gender-affirming care. Most major insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover LGBTQ-specific health services in Rhode Island as of 2026.
Providence community health centers guide
Providence operates several community health centers that provide affordable primary care, dental services, and behavioral health support regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The major providers include Thundermist Health Center locations, Providence Community Health Centers (PCHC) with sites across the city, and Tri-County Health Center, all offering sliding-scale fees based on income and accepting MassHealth, Medicare, and most commercial insurance plans.
Rhode Island RN Salary Guide 2026: Pay by Hospital, Specialty, and Experience
Registered nurses in Rhode Island earn about $50 per hour on average as of July 2026 — roughly $104,000 a year and about 7% above the national average. New grads typically start in the high $30s to low $40s per hour, while experienced specialty, per diem, and travel RNs earn well above the average. With 2,000+ open RN positions statewide, nurses currently have strong negotiating leverage.
Best eye doctors in Rhode Island 2026
Rhode Island has over 200 practicing ophthalmologists and optometrists, with top-rated practices including Brown Eye Care at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Outlook Eyecare with locations in Cranston, Warwick, and North Providence, and New England Eye Center in East Providence. Most accept major insurance including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Neighborhood Health Plan, with routine eye exams typically ranging from $100-$200 without insurance, though many practices offer same-day or next-day appointments for urgent eye concerns.
Rhode Island health insurance guide 2026
Rhode Island residents can obtain health insurance through HealthSource RI (the state's health insurance marketplace), employer-sponsored plans, Medicaid, or Medicare. Open enrollment for HealthSource RI typically runs from November 1 through January 31 annually, though qualifying life events allow special enrollment periods year-round. All Rhode Islanders must have health insurance that meets minimum essential coverage requirements, and financial assistance is available for eligible individuals earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level.
How to Get Paid as a Family Caregiver in Rhode Island: Programs, Eligibility, and How to Apply
Yes — Rhode Island has several programs that pay family members to care for a loved one. The main paths are Medicaid's self-directed home care options (through RI EOHHS), Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) for short-term paid leave, and Veteran-Directed Care for veterans' families. Eligibility depends on the care recipient's Medicaid status and level of need.
How to Become a Home Health Aide in Rhode Island: Training, Certification & Jobs (2026)
To become a home health aide in Rhode Island you must be 18+, complete a state-approved 100-hour training program (about 80 classroom hours plus 20 clinical hours), pass the Rhode Island certification exam, and clear a criminal background check. Rhode Island''s key quirk: HHAs here hold the nursing assistant (CNA) credential — it''s the certification home care agencies require. Training takes roughly 6–12 weeks and costs about $1,300–$1,400 at local programs, with free routes available.
How to Get a Nursing Job at Brown University Health: RI's Largest Employer Is Hiring Over 1,000 Nurses
Brown University Health (formerly Lifespan) is Rhode Island's largest private employer and is actively recruiting — job boards showed over 1,000 open RN positions statewide in July 2026, many within its hospitals: Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro Children's, The Miriam, Newport Hospital, and Bradley Hospital. Apply directly through the Brown University Health careers portal, target units with chronic openings (med-surg, ED, behavioral health), and use its new-grad residency and free training programs if you're early-career.
Rhode Island senior health programs guide
Rhode Island offers comprehensive senior health programs through multiple state agencies, with the Division of Elderly Affairs (DEA) serving as the primary resource hub at 74 West Road in Cranston (401-462-3000). Seniors age 60 and older can access Medicare counseling through the SHIP program, prescription assistance via PharmacyConnect, home care services, adult day health programs, and subsidized meal programs at over 30 senior centers statewide. The state also provides PACE Rhode Island, a comprehensive health program for seniors 55+ who qualify for nursing home level care but wish to remain at home.
Rhode Island physical therapy guide 2026
Rhode Island offers comprehensive physical therapy services through over 300 licensed providers across the state, with no prescription required for direct access as of 2026. Most major insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island and UnitedHealthcare, cover physical therapy with copays typically ranging from $20-$75 per session, while self-pay rates average $100-$200 per visit. Rhode Island law allows patients to receive up to 30 days of physical therapy treatment without a physician referral, making it one of 28 states with direct access provisions.