In Connecticut, many children who turn 18 while enrolled in HUSKY A (Medicaid) are at risk of losing coverage due to administrative error. The notice that the Department of Social Services sends to their parents does not make it clear that children are eligible until their 19th birthdays. Because of this problem and the confusion it causes, 18 year-olds are much more likely than children in other age groups to lose HUSKY coverage shortly after their birthday. This problem is long-standing and can disrupt access to needed health care.
This brief recommends that DSS should immediately revise notices and procedures for alerting families with children turning 18; develop and implement procedures for continuing coverage of 18 year olds, pending notification of or receipt of proof of school enrollment; and develop and implement procedures to hold case workers and supervisors accountable for disenrollment of 18 year olds. Outreach workers can help by identifying families with 18 year olds who are at risk for losing coverage and reaching out to their families with information about how to avoid gaps in coverage or disenrollment.
