How do I join Neighborhood?

Most Neighborhood members are from working families that don’t get health insurance through their jobs. Neighborhood provides low or no-cost health insurance to them after they become part of the state’s RIte Care program. Qualifying for RIte Care is based on income and determined by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS). 

Note for Rhody Health Partners (RHP) members: Call the RHP enrollment helpline at 784-8877.

The following information helps explain how you can become a member of Neighborhood. Call Neighborhood’s Marketing Department at 1-800-963-1001 if you have any questions about how to become a member of our health plan.

Call Neighborhood’s Marketing Department at 1-800-963-1001. We will go over the RIte Care guidelines with you, tell you if you may qualify and give you a phone number for a Family Resource Counselor.

1. Call the Family Resource Counselor to book a time to meet. The Family Resource Counselor will tell you what documents to bring and where and when to meet. Family Resource Counselors are located at hospitals and Community Health Centers near you.
   
2. Meet with the Family Resource Counselor to fill out the RIte Care application. The Family Resource Counselor will make sure you have the right documents, put in the information needed by DHS and mail the application for you. Don’t forget! On page 10, section 1, put a check next to Neighborhood!
   
   New Steps to Join RIte Care and Neighborhood!  If you are a U.S. Citizen, there are new documents that you need to provide when you sign up for RIte Care and Neighborhood.  Click here to learn more.
   
3. Check your mail. You will get a letter in the mail telling you if you are approved for RIte Care and Neighborhood. It usually takes about 30 to 60 days to hear back from the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS).
   
4. Welcome to Neighborhood! Soon after the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) says you qualify for RIte Care, we send you a member card and handbook and call you at your home. We will tell you about your benefits, make sure you have a doctor and answer any questions you may have.
   
5. Reapply every year. 
   All RIte Care and Neighborhood members must reapply for benefits each year. Neighborhood can direct you back to the Family Resource Counselor to send in the application to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS).

What is Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island?
Why join Neighborhood?
Who may qualify for RIte Care and Neighborhood?
What are the income guidelines?
What are the benefits?
New Steps to Join RIte Care and Neighborhood!
How do I learn more?

What is Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island?

• Neighborhood is a managed care organization, also known as an MCO.
• We work with the State of Rhode Island and the RIte Care program to help people get high quality, low cost health care for their children and family.
• RIte Care and Neighborhood are available to children and families who qualify based on income.

Why join Neighborhood?

• Neighborhood has a very large network of doctors to choose from.
• Most doctor-prescribed medicine, including over-the-counter medicine, is free with your Neighborhood card.
• When you call Neighborhood, you talk with someone who is from the community, speaks your language and works with you to get the health care your family needs.
• According to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), “Neighborhood was rated as one of the Top 10 Medicaid plans in the country for Effectiveness of Care. This means that Neighborhood’s members are in good hands! Neighborhood is committed to providing the best care available.”

Who may qualify for RIte Care and Neighborhood?

• Families with children - with family income up to 185% of FPL (Federal Poverty Level).
• Children up to age 19 - with family income of up 250% FPL.
• Pregnant women - with family income less than 250% FPL. Call Neighborhood for eligibility information for pregnant women with family income between 250% FPL and 350% FPL.

What are the income guidelines?

What are the benefits?
RIte Care and Neighborhood cover many health services including:

• Primary Care
• Behavioral Health Services
• Drug or Alcohol Treatment
• Pharmacy Benefits
• Hospital Care
• Emergency Visits
• Vision Care
• Transportation
• Interpreters

And many, many others.

New Steps to Join RIte Care and Neighborhood!
If you are a U.S. Citizen, there are new documents that you need to provide when you sign up for RIte Care and Neighborhood.

WHAT YOU NEED
If you are a U.S. Citizen and you are 16 or older, you need:
U.S. Passport or Certificate of Naturalization

OR

U.S. Birth Certificate* AND
Driver's license or state photo ID card or school photo ID

Children who are U.S. Citizens and are younger than 16 years old need:
U.S. Passport or Certificate of Naturalization

OR

U.S. Birth Certificate* AND
Parent's signature on application or attestation form verifying identity for children under 16 or school photo ID

Click here to see a list of other acceptable documents.

*If you or your child(ren) were born in Rhode Island, you can get originals of your or your child(ren)’s birth certificate at the:
City/Town Hall where you or your child(ren) were born
City/Town Hall where you or your child(ren) resided at time of birth
State Office of Vital Records.The information for Vital Records is:

• 1-401-222-2811
• Can take up to 6-8 weeks
• Cost is $15 for Rhode Island birth certificate
• Need to show government issued photo ID or two bills showing your current address if you do not have a government issued photo ID
• 2 weeks for “rush” – additional $5

*If you or your child(ren) were born outside of Rhode Island, you can find out how to get out-of-state birth certificates by going to: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/howto/w2w/w2welcom.htm

How do I learn more?
Call Neighborhood at 1-800-963-1001 if you have any questions about how to become a member of our health plan.