Connecticut Health Insurance

From coastal charm to vibrant small towns, Connecticut remains a desirable place to live, and understanding your health insurance options here is key to protecting your health and finances.
As of 2025, the uninsured rate in Connecticut reflects continued improvement thanks to expanded access and state-level innovations. If you’re currently without coverage, here’s what you need to know about getting insured in Connecticut.

Health Insurance Options in Connecticut

Connecticut offers a range of health insurance options tailored to residents’ needs, depending on age, income, employment, and family size. Here are the most common coverage types available:

Employer-Sponsored Insurance

Many Connecticut residents receive health insurance through their employer. If your workplace offers coverage, this is usually the most convenient option and often comes with added employer support.

ACA Marketplace Plans 

Individuals and families without job-based coverage can shop for health plans through Access Health CT, Connecticut’s official ACA marketplace. These plans cover essential health benefits and cannot deny coverage based on preexisting conditions. Subsidies may be available to reduce premium costs based on your income and household size, even if you are unemployed. You can check your eligibility using our ACA Subsidy Calculator.

Starting this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is requiring income verification to confirm eligibility for premium subsidies. As part of this effort, CMS will reduce the ACA subsidies by $5 per month for individuals who are automatically re-enrolled in fully subsidized plans without verified eligibility.

Marketplace Plans:

• Bronze: Lower premiums, higher out-of-pocket costs; good for minimal medical use.
• Silver: Moderate premiums and cost-sharing; eligible for cost-sharing reductions.
• Gold: Higher premiums, lower out-of-pocket costs; suitable for frequent care needs.
• Platinum: Highest premiums with the lowest costs when receiving care.

Metal Tier Breakdown:

Medicaid

Connecticut’s Medicaid program is called HUSKY Health. It provides free or low-cost coverage for eligible residents, including children, pregnant individuals, parents, older adults, childless adults, and those with disabilities.

Covered services typically include:

• Hospital and emergency services
• Mental health care
• Preventive and primary care
• Prescription drugs
• Lab tests and medical equipment

Eligibility is based on household income, family size, and other factors like age and disability status.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Known as HUSKY B in Connecticut, CHIP offers health coverage to uninsured children and teens under 19 whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Services often include:

• Doctor visits
• Dental care
• Vision and hearing
• Behavioral health

Medicare

Medicare plans are available for residents aged 65+ and younger individuals with qualifying disabilities. Options include:

• Medicare Advantage (Part C)
  • Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurers to those enrolled in Parts A and B. These plans often include extra benefits and cost protections but typically require using a specific network of providers.
• Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
  • Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage for anyone with Medicare, helping pay for medications and many vaccines. Offered by private insurers, these plans vary in cost and coverage and can be joined during specific enrollment periods.
• Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
  • Medicare Supplement plans, or Medigap policies, help cover the out-of-pocket costs that Medicare Part A and Part B don’t pay. Since Original Medicare (Parts A and B) lacks an out-of-pocket maximum, these plans can limit your expenses for medical services.

COBRA Coverage

If you’ve lost job-based insurance, COBRA allows you to temporarily keep your employer’s health plan. While the cost can be high, it provides continuity while you explore new coverage options.

Short-Term Plans

Connecticut restricts the sale of short-term health insurance. Since 2018, short-term plans in the state must cover essential health benefits, and policies longer than six months must follow ACA guidelines. These regulations significantly limit the availability and appeal of short-term options.

Enrollment Periods in Connecticut

Open Enrollment for 2026 Coverage:

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
This is when most residents can apply for, renew, or change health plans through Access Health CT.

Special Enrollment Period:

Outside the Open Enrollment window, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve experienced a qualifying life event, such as:

• Loss of coverage
• Marriage or divorce
• Birth or adoption of a child
• Relocation
• Major change in income

You typically have 60 days from the event to enroll.

Health Insurance Providers in Connecticut

As of 2025, the following insurers offer individual and family plans through Access Health CT:

• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
• ConnectiCare
• ConnectiCare Insurance Company
• ConnectiCare Benefits

Plan availability may differ based on your zip code or county.

Understanding Health Insurance Costs

When selecting a plan, it’s important to understand common insurance terms:

• Premium: Monthly cost to keep your plan active
• Deductible: Amount you pay before insurance kicks in
• Copayment (Copay): Fixed cost for services like office visits
• Coinsurance: Your share of the cost after meeting your deductible
• Out-of-Pocket Maximum: The most you’ll pay in a year for covered services
• In-Network vs. Out-of-Network: Choosing in-network providers helps keep costs lower

Understanding health insurance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. This glossary offers clear definitions of key terms—from agents to costs like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles—to help you make confident coverage decisions.

Bottom Line

Health insurance in Connecticut comes with many choices—whether from your employer, the ACA marketplace, or public programs like HUSKY Health and Medicare. By understanding your eligibility, coverage options, and enrollment timelines, you can secure dependable insurance that supports your health and financial well-being.

Need help choosing a plan? Use our ACA Subsidy Calculator to see if you are eligible for ACA plan financial aid or speak with a licensed insurance agent about all your options.