How many people in Rhode Island are on Medicare?
Refreshed annually
About 248,400, or 22.3% of Rhode Island’s population, in 2025. Administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Medicare is one of the largest federal programs based on spending, providing health insurance coverage primarily to people 65 and older.
248K
enrolled in Medicare programs (2025)
22.3%
of the state's population insured by Medicare (2025)
Between 2015 and 2025, Medicare enrollment in Rhode Island grew from 203,200 to 248,400, up 22.2% over the decade.
In 2025, 248,400 Rhode Island residents were enrolled across all Medicare programs.
Unique enrollment across all parts of Medicare
While people under 65 may qualify with a disability, end-stage renal disease, or ALS, Medicare primarily serves an older population. In 2025, 219,500 Rhode Island residents aged 65 or older were enrolled in at least one part of Medicare — 88.4% of all Medicare beneficiaries in the state.
For comparison, the total 65-and-older population in Rhode Island in 2025 was 233,100. That means 94.2% of Rhode Island residents in that age group are enrolled in Medicare.
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In 2025, 219,500 people aged 65 and older in Rhode Island were enrolled in Medicare.
Unique enrollment across all parts of Medicare, by age group
A state's share of Medicare coverage largely reflects its age distribution. In 2025, Medicare covered 22.3% of Rhode Island residents, where 21% of the population is aged 65 or older. Rhode Island ranks 13th of 50 states in Medicare coverage.
The share of Rhode Island residents covered by Medicare has risen from 18.9% in 2015.
In 2025, 22.3% of Rhode Island residents were covered by Medicare.
Share of population covered by Medicare and share of population 65 or older
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
