State leaders in Rhode Island are facing concerns over wait times and an influx in the number of people being kicked off the Medicaid program during the ongoing recertification process. State officials estimate that 16,000 to 20,000 people per month will be seeking recertification, leading to concerns about increased wait times and staffing challenges at the Department of Human Services. Wait times currently average over an hour, but officials claim they are in the process of adding more staff to help speed up the process. State leaders are aiming to keep as many people insured as possible, either by recertifying them for Medicaid or finding them other plans through the state’s health insurance exchange. Earlier estimates suggested that only about 25,000 to 30,000 Rhode Islanders would lose Medicaid coverage during the recertification process, but the state may ultimately experience a greater number of enrollees losing coverage. The state is posting information on a dedicated website, staycovered.ri.gov, and is encouraging enrollees to get their paperwork in order and update their contact information.