Rhode Island Health Insurance
Rhode Island’s health status
For the second year in a row, Rhode Island is considered the 11th healthiest state in the United States, a very good place to be. The rank, provided by the United Health Foundation was granted this year thanks to key factors such as the state’s decrease in the prevalence of smokers in the state (down to 17%, it’s the 8th lowest in the country), the decrease in the violent crime rate (Rhode Island has the sixth lowest violent crime rate in the nation, with only 227 offenses per 100,000 residents), and a decrease in the infectious disease incidence, down this year to 15 cases per 100,000 people. Rhode Island has been consistently improving its health status for the past eight years, and it shows.
Other strengths include a low rate of uninsured population at 9.7 percent (the seventh lowest in the US), a low prevalence of obesity at 21.7 percent of the population, ready access to primary care with 167.6 primary physicians per 100,000 population and low geographic disparity within the state at 7.2 percent. Rhode Island ranks higher for health determinants than for health outcomes, indicating that overall healthiness should improve over time. Cancer-related and cardiovascular-related deaths have also lowered slightly within the state.
Despite the great features this state offers health-wise, there are still a few issues that can be worked on: some of these issues include a high prevalence of binge drinking at 18.2% of the population and many poor mental and physical health days per month at 3.8 days and 3.9 days, respectively, in the previous 30 days. The occupational fatalities rate has risen a lot within the past year, an important issue that needs to be controlled, with 4.8 deaths per 100,000 workers as compared to 3.4 deaths in 2007. The immunization coverage has been reduced slightly, but with 80% of children 19-35 months receiving complete immunization, the percentage is still average as compared to the other states in the country.
Public funding has increased this year, and with an amount per capita of $99, a great access to ready primary care and a very low percentage of people lacking Health Insurance, Health Care is highly accessible in Rhode Island. It’s definitely one of the best states to live, when it comes to health.
Rhode Island health insurance information
In Rhode Island, about 90.3% of the citizens have Health Insurance, which is an excellent coverage percentage, supported by the strong government funding per capita in public health. This means that only 9.7% of the population in Rhode Island has no Health Insurance, a percentage that has increased within the past five years, but it’s still in extremely good levels. The percentage of employers offering health insurance to employees is also good, with 59.5% percent of employers offering health Insurance plans, although this percentage has been lowering since 2003. 78.7% of workers take the Health Insurance plans offered by their employers.
Strong public health funding in the state brings an excellent rate of primary care physicians for the population is very good, with 167.6 physicians per 100,000 population. Rhode Island’s health care system, seems to be accessible, adequate, and efficient. What it’s being done with the funding available is very good. The percentage of the Rhode Island population that could get medical care when needed is 91%. The patients served by FQHCs as a percent of population under 200% FPL stands at 36.8%.
If coverage has been denied for you, there are still some options you can check:
Best health plans in Rhode Island
The prestigious US News ranks yearly the best Health Plans in the country, polling and evaluating consumer assessment, prevention, and treatment offered by all plans. They gather information and rank the results, nation-wide and state-wide, showing on their results the best plans available for Rhode Island as well. The Rankings reflect results of consumer surveys and success in preventing and treating illness compared with average health plan.
Not only they rank Commercial Plans, they also rank Medicare or Medicaid plans, covering and evaluating as many plans as possible. If you want to browse their list of best-of, please go to the US News Health Plans Search site.
Get involved
If you are concerned about Rhode Island’s health care issues and want to speak out, your safest bet is to contact your federal official, either via phone or fax. Postal Mail is not recommended, since it takes too long, and e-mail might not be seen. Also, make sure you communicate with the right Member of the Senate and/or Congress.
If you want more guidance and tips on how to contact and communicate with your representatives, there are various sites on the internet that can help on how to contact your elected officials.
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| Contact the White House PHONE: toll free 1-800-671-7887 (ask for the Comment Line) State officials:
Official Rhode Island health insurance information
| Recent Rhode Island health insurance newsHealth Insurance is always a hot topic for discussion, since it involves the citizens of Rhode Island and their welfare. Here are some of the latest news and updates on the current issues and news related to Health and Health Insurance for Rhode Island: |
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