Neighborhood Health Plan Earned 4.5 Star Rating
The National Committee for Quality Assurance issued its 2026 ratings for major Rhode Island health insurance providers.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Healthcare
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Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island has secured a 4.5 star rating for its 2026 Medicaid offerings. The rating system evaluates health plans based on a weighted average of patient experience, clinical measures, and health outcomes.
Why it matters
These performance ratings help Rhode Island residents evaluate the quality of care provided by their insurance options. High ratings indicate that a health plan consistently meets rigorous national standards for clinical quality and member satisfaction.
Neighborhood Health Plan received 4.5 stars for its Medicaid coverage, outperforming UnitedHealthcare's 4 star rating and Blue Cross & Blue Shield's 3.5 star Medicare rating. The plan has also maintained continuous accreditation for 23 years.
The players
Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island
This is a non-profit health insurance provider serving members throughout the state of Rhode Island.
National Committee for Quality Assurance
This Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization works to improve healthcare quality through accreditation and ratings.
Peter Marino
He serves as the CEO of Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.
UnitedHealthcare of New England
This is a regional branch of a large national health insurance company providing various Medicaid and Medicare plans.
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island
This is a local health insurance carrier that offers various plans including Medicare and commercial coverage.
The details
The rankings are compiled by the National Committee for Quality Assurance using a weighted evaluation of medical outcomes and patient feedback. Neighborhood Health Plan, which has operated in Rhode Island since 1993, saw its latest accreditation reflected in the 2026 performance scores.
Timeline
1993: Neighborhood Health Plan was founded.
2003: Neighborhood Health Plan began its 23-year accreditation period.
September 16, 2026: CEO Peter Marino announced the NCQA rating.
2026: The 4.5 star Medicaid health plan rating is active.
Market Landscape
These ratings represent a broader industry push for standardized transparency in managed care performance metrics. This competitive landscape positions local non-profits like Neighborhood Health Plan against national insurance carriers operating in the Rhode Island market.
Rhode Island residents can use these star ratings to compare the clinical quality and member satisfaction of their available insurance plans during enrollment. Higher ratings often suggest that a plan is more likely to provide consistent, high-quality care for its members.
The takeaway
Selecting a health insurance plan should involve reviewing objective quality performance ratings alongside coverage costs. Residents should verify which specific plans are accepted by their preferred providers to ensure the best value for their healthcare budget.
Further reading
For more information on insurance services in the region, visit Rhode Island Healthcare.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Providence Business News.
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