PROVIDENCE – A total of 34,888 individuals enrolled in health insurance coverage through HealthSource RI at the close of its open enrollment period, a 16 percent increase from last year, according to a spokeswoman for the agency.
Open enrollment began Nov. 1 and ended Jan. 31. It was third open enrollment period for the state’s health-benefits exchange.
HSRI also said its contact center will move from 70 Royal Little Drive to a new location at 401 Wampanoag Trail in East Providence. The last day for services at Royal Little Drive will be March 31.
HSRI said customers should expect longer call wait times in the week leading up to the closing due to the transition to a new vendor and location.
The new vendor is Pittsburgh-based Automated Health Systems; HSRI previously used Optum, a division of United Health, as its vendor. Optum has said it would be laying off 60 employees in April.
HSRI said the contact center will re-open April 4 on Wampanoag Trail, resuming regular business hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The telephone number will remain the same at 1-855-840-4774. As before, customers will be able to drop off documents and payments, but no in-person assistance will be available.
The new location at 401 Wampanoag Trail is accessible by Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) Route 32 bus (outbound from Kennedy Plaza toward Tripps Lane via Wampanoag Trail). Free parking also is available.
While the open enrollment period has ended, HSRI said some Rhode Islanders who experience a “life change” – a job loss resulting in the end of employer-sponsored health insurance, or change in family such as marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or foster care placement – may be eligible to enroll through a special enrollment period.
Visit healthsourceri.com for a complete list of life-change events or for information about the exchange. HSRI also can be reached at 1-855-840-4774.
