State Policy · RI
Rhode Island Governor Pledges $16M Medicaid Primary Care Rate Increase in 2027 Budget
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced plans to include $16 million in his next budget to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care providers. The commitment follows a yearlong review by the state's Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner examining primary care payment rates. The proposal would take effect with the fiscal year 2027 state budget if McKee is reelected. The rate increase responds to chronic concerns about Medicaid primary care access and provider participation driven by below-market fee schedules.
Why it mattersA successful $16 million rate increase would materially improve primary care provider participation and network adequacy for Rhode Island Medicaid managed care plans, which face ongoing access challenges tied to low fee-for-service reimbursement floors.