Thousands of Connecticut residents will have new options for health insurance coverage tomorrow, October 1st, when the new health insurance marketplace, Access Health CT, will begin enrolling uninsured individuals in private health plans. These new plans are becoming available in Connecticut as a result of the federal Affordable Care Act. These new options are designed for those who don’t have health coverage through their employers and aren’t eligible for the state’s HUSKY health insurance program or Medicare.
Uninsured persons can learn about the available health plans through Access Health CT, including how much it will cost to enroll, how much individuals will pay in deductibles, co-pays or co-insurance for certain health services, and whether they are eligible for subsidies to lower the cost of the insurance premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. The open enrollment period will continue through March 31, 2014. Coverage in the health plans will begin on January 1, 2014. To ensure coverage effective January 1st, individuals should enroll by December 15, 2013.
We expect that most people who apply for coverage through the marketplace will be eligible for help with paying for coverage. Individuals with family income below 400% of the federal poverty level ($94,200 for a family of four) will be eligible for help with paying for premiums. Individuals with family income below 250% of the poverty level ($58,875 for a family of three) will also be eligible for reductions in deductibles and co-pays. No one in these health plans will be charged anything for “preventive services” including blood pressuring screen, contraception, mammograms, immunizations for adults and children, and much more.
Beginning October 1, the best way to apply for coverage will be through the marketplace's website at www.accesshealthct.com. Access Health CT can also be reached by calling (855) 805-4325. The initiative has enlisted the help of community organizations (navigators) and individuals (assisters) to help answer questions and enroll individuals in coverage. For more information on navigators and assisters, call (860) 757-6800.
An individual or family that may qualify for the state’s HUSKY health insurance program before January 2014 should continue to apply directly to the Department of Social Services by visiting ConneCT online, calling 1-877-CT-HUSKY (877-284-8759), or applying in person at a local DSS office. Groups that may be eligible for free or low-cost health care through HUSKY, depending on their income, include children, parents, pregnant women, low-income individuals, people with disabilities, and seniors.
