Keep It Simple: Reduce Gaps in Children’s Health Coverage

Gaps in health insurance coverage for Connecticut children increase health care costs, as temporarily uninsured residents rely on hospitals and safety net providers for care. Restoring “continuous eligibility” (CE) in the HUSKY program can reduce such gaps in children’s health care. CE can address the “churning” that is common in HUSKY, as families cycle on and off the program due to temporary changes in their income. It allows children a year of continuous eligibility for up to one year after enrollment or renewal, regardless of fluctuations in family income or changes in family structure. The elimination of CE in 2003 resulted in over 7,000 children losing their HUSKY coverage.