What is Access Health CT?

Access Health CT is Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, established to meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), increase the number of insured residents in Connecticut, promote positive health outcomes, lower costs, and eliminate health disparities.


At Access Health CT, you can shop, compare and enroll in quality healthcare plans, qualify for financial help to lower your health insurance costs, and if eligible, enroll into free or low-cost coverage through HUSKY Health (Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)) or the Covered Connecticut Program. 


All plans offered through Access Health CT include coverage for important essential health benefits such as annual checkups, prescription drugs, lab tests, and several other benefits noted below.
 

Access Health CT is:

  • We are a marketplace that uses a single enrollment application to check your eligibility for: (i) a Qualified Health Plan (QHP); or free or low-cost coverage through (ii) HUSKY Health programs (Medicaid/CHIP) – which includes Husky A, B, and D) or (iii) the Covered Connecticut Program
  • We are the only place where you can qualify for financial help to lower your health insurance costs, or if eligible, enroll in free or low-cost coverage through HUSKY Health programs (Medicaid/CHIP) and the Covered Connecticut Program
  • We are an option for:
    • Individuals or families who need health coverage options
    • Individuals or families who need dental insurance coverage options
    • Small businesses (50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees) that need health and dental coverage for their employees


What Access Health CT is not:

  • We are not an insurance company – we are an insurance marketplace offering plan options from different brand-name insurance companies.
  • We are not able to enroll you in Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medicare Health Plans. 
  • We are not able to check eligibility for Medicaid (HUSKY C), Medicaid for Employees with Disabilities (MED-Connect), SNAP (food stamps), and/or cash assistance.
  • We are not a resource for billing questions, copies of Identification Cards, or detailed information about benefits or plans. Contact your insurance company directly for this information.


Who Can Enroll Through Access Health CT?

  • HUSKY Health (Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program): Must be a Connecticut resident and (i) a citizen (or U.S. national); (ii) legal resident; or (iii) lawfully present for at least five (5) years. If you are lawfully present, the five (5) year requirement may be waived in certain circumstances, like for a child or refugee/asylee. As of April 1, 2022 there is a New Husky B Program for Prenatal Care and Extended Postpartum Coverage, learn more here.
  • Qualified Health Plans and the Covered Connecticut Program: Must be a non-incarcerated (other than pending final disposition of charges) Connecticut resident and a citizen (or U.S. national)  or a non-citizen who is lawfully present in the United States. Your eligibility for or enrollment in Medicare, VA benefits, or Tricare, may impact your ability to enroll in a QHP.




More About Qualified Health Plan (QHP) Coverage

All health insurance plans offered through Access Health CT provide coverage for the same set of minimum essential health benefits, regardless of the level of the plan selected. While the cost for certain benefits may vary depending on the selected plan, you can be assured that all plans will provide coverage for:


  • Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)
  • Emergency room coverage
  • Hospitalization (such as surgery)
  • Maternity and newborn care (care before and after your baby is born)
  • Mental health and substance abuse services, including behavioral health treatment (includes counseling and psychotherapy)
  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Rehabilitation and Habilitation services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)
  • Laboratory service coverage
  • Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
  • Pediatric services


 
Some plans offer many additional covered benefits. You should always review the full plan information before enrolling in a plan to make sure it meets your needs. When choosing a plan, think about costs beyond your monthly payment (premium). Pay attention to your yearly deductible, co-payments, or co-insurance costs and review the plan’s network of providers and prescription drug coverage. For more on comparing health plans, click here.