McKee Administration’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services Awards $204K in Grants to Support Medicaid Renewals

Published on Monday, April 08, 2024

Cranston, Rhode Island - The McKee Administration’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) today announced more than $204,000 in mini-grants to 21 community-based organizations to support Medicaid renewal outreach.

“We know that when individuals and families have the tools and access they need to stay healthy, they’re able to thrive,” said Governor Dan McKee. “About a third of Rhode Islanders are currently enrolled in Medicaid coverage; that’s about 350,000 people. Our goal is to make sure that all Medicaid enrollees are informed about their renewal process and are able to take any necessary action to stay covered by health insurance.”

This is the third cycle of the Medicaid renewal mini-grant program. In total, the State has distributed close to $288,000 to 32 organizations across the three cycles.

“Renewals help the State make sure that everyone who is on Medicaid is still eligible,” said EOHHS Secretary Richard Charest. “We hope that community partners will use these funds to augment our outreach efforts at EOHHS and provide a direct line of support for Medicaid members who may need help navigating the renewal process.”

Not everyone on Medicaid gets renewed at the same time. Members get a letter from the State every year letting them know when it’s their turn to renew their coverage.

“The most important thing Medicaid members can do is keep their contact information up to date so we can ensure they get time-sensitive information about their health coverage delivered directly to them,” said EOHHS Medicaid Director Kristin Sousa. “I’d like to thank our partners, who are making extra efforts to ensure some of our most vulnerable members understand the steps they can take to stay covered and feel supported through this process.”

Mini-grant awardees from cycle 3 include:

Brain Injury Association of Rhode Island (BIARI)
Catholic Social Services of Rhode Island (CSSRI)
Center for Southeast Asians
City of Providence
Clinica Esperanza
College Unbound
Community Health Network
Family Service of RI
Higher Ground International 
Interfaith Counseling Center 
Koann Therapeutic Services Inc.
Melior Asthenis
New Bridges for Haitian Success 
OASIS International
Progreso Latino
Raising Hope Inc.
Refugee Dream Center
RIPIN
Westbay Community Action Inc.
Wheelhouse Health Navigation Services
Women's Refugee Care

Mini-grant awardees will use these funds to enhance their outreach, technology, training, and language and cultural competency development related to Medicaid renewals. Many awardees said they plan to use their funds to purchase iPads so they can help Medicaid members complete the renewal process or upload requested documents. Other awardees said they will use the funds to print informational materials in multiple languages or for staff to complete training to become Certified Application Counselors.

“It is important to remember that this process will now continue every year, as it did pre-pandemic,” said Department of Human Services Director Kimberly Merolla-Brito. “With that in mind, these grant funds will help ensure the continued process of educating, informing, and supporting Rhode Islanders as they work through their renewals annually.”

Medicaid members who are determined to no longer be eligible will be connected to low-cost insurance options through HealthSource RI.

“Through this process, we’ve been proud to work closely with our fellow state agencies and with community partners like these mini-grant awardees to ensure that as many Rhode Islanders as possible remain connected to high quality coverage,” said HealthSource RI Director Lindsay Lang. “These collaborative efforts are critical to helping our communities understand the spectrum of coverage options available to them through Medicaid and HSRI, the state insurance marketplace.”

To learn more about Medicaid renewals, visit staycovered.ri.gov.