Connecticut Health Insurance

Connecticut is home to over 3.5 million people.¹ Over half of the state’s population gets health insurance through their employer, while 35% are insured through either Medicaid or Medicare. Connecticut has a low number of uninsured citizens; just 5% of the population goes without health insurance.²

If you’re one of the thousands in the state who doesn’t have health coverage, you’re taking a big risk. A single illness or accident could leave you with hefty medical bills, putting your finances in jeopardy.

If you live in Connecticut and are looking for a new health insurance policy, there are several options. 

Health Insurance Options in Connecticut

In recent years, there have been major changes in health care in Connecticut.

Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law in 2010, it’s had a significant effect on Connecticut residents. Between 2013 and 2016, the number of uninsured individuals declined by 48.3%, from 333,000 people to just 172,000.³

Connecticut was also the first state in the country to expand Medicaid enrollment to low-income adults who earn up to 133% of the federal poverty level, or $17,130 in 2021. Under the expansion, it was estimated that 45,000 adults would become eligible for public health aid.⁴ Medicaid expansion in the state encouraged greater use of preventative health services and reduced the state’s uninsured rate.⁵

Thanks to these developments, you have several choices when it comes to health insurance. What kind of insurance plan you may qualify for is dependent on your age, income, and family size. 

The Affordable Care Act

One option is to purchase ACA or Obamacare health insurance for you and your family through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. In Connecticut, residents get their coverage through the state-run exchange, Access Health CT.

Obamacare plans can’t exclude you based on preexisting conditions, so they’re an excellent option if you have a chronic health issue.

They’re divided into four tiers: 

• Bronze: The cheapest plans, the insurance company pays 60% and you pay 40% of healthcare costs. 
• Silver: Silver plans are the next level up. Your insurance company covers 70% of healthcare expenses, and you pay for 30%. 
• Gold: With gold plans, you pay 20% of health expenses, and insurance covers 80%. 
• Platinum: The most expensive option, insurance pays for 90% of your health expenses, and you pay for 10%.⁶ 

When Is the 2022 Open Enrollment Period in Connecticut?

You can purchase insurance through Access Health CT for the 2022 Open Enrollment Period. Open enrollment starts on November 1 and ends on January 15.

You need to enroll by December 15 if you want coverage to begin on January 1.

Normally, if you miss open enrollment, you may to qualify for special circumstances. If you had a major life event, such as getting married, having a baby, or losing health coverage, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period and can enroll in a health plan.⁷

Residents can apply for the Covered Connecticut Program, which will pay for premiums after subsidies and cost-sharing for enrollees. Participants can only make 160 to 175% of the federal poverty level. The deadline to apply is December 31.

Which Companies Sell Health Insurance Plans in Connecticut?

Four companies offer exchange and off-exchange plans in Connecticut. They are:

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

Premiums

In Connecticut, a 40 year old purchasing insurance through the Marketplace would pay $570 per month, on average, for the second-lowest-cost silver plan (the benchmark premium). That’s a $95 increase over the cost of the average benchmark premium for 2020.⁸ 

For the 2021 coverage year, the state approved a 0.01% increase for individuals plans, essentially keeping rates flat from the previous year.⁹

Subsidies

If you don’t make a lot of money, you may be eligible for subsidies like the Advanced Premium Tax Credit that reduce your health insurance costs.

For example, the average premium in Connecticut across all tiers was $692. But the average premium after subsidies was just $241.¹⁰

If you’re retired or qualify for low-income status

If you’re retired, disabled, or low-income, you may qualify for insurance through government-sponsored programs. 

Medicare

Older adults and people with disabilities can qualify for coverage through Medicare. If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for 10 years or more, you may qualify for Part A (hospital and hospice coverage) without premiums. Otherwise, you may pay a premium for the coverage. Use the government’s eligibility calculator for more information.

Medicare covers basic health services, including hospital stays, physician services, and prescription medications.¹¹

There are other Medicare services you should know about: 

• Medicare Part B: Part B covers necessary medical and preventative services like ambulance transportation and medical equipment. 
• Medicare Part D: Part D is an optional benefit you can add for prescription drug coverage. In Connecticut, over 296,000 people are enrolled in standalone Part D plans.¹²

In Connecticut, over 385,000people are enrolled in Original Medicare, and over 300,000 are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.¹³ 

Medicare Supplement

Private companies sell Medicare Supplement insurance. These policies are designed to fill gaps in Original Medicare, which covers for some, but not all, of health services and supplies. Medicare Supplement policies can help cover copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.¹⁴

Medicare Advantage

Private companies contract with Medicare to offer health plans to provide your Part A and Part B benefits. As an additional perk, most Medicare Advantage plans also offer prescription drug coverage and other benefits, such as gym memberships.

Medicaid

In Connecticut, Medicaid is known as HUSKY Health. It provides coverage to children, pregnant women, parents, older adults, adults without children, and adults with disabilities with limited incomes. As of January 2021, 921,000 people were covered under Medicaid.¹⁵

Medicaid covers most health services, including hospital stays, lab tests, nursing care, prescription medications, and medical equipment.

Income restrictions do apply. How much you can make is dependent on whether or not you have children, are pregnant, or are disabled.¹⁶

For example, if you are an adult without minor children, the following income limits apply as of March 2021:¹⁷ 

Family of 1	Family of 2	Family of 3	Family of 4	Family of 5
Income under $20,608	Income under $27,872	Income under $35,136	Income under $42,400	Income under $49,664

For more information or to apply for HUSKY, visit www.ct.gov/husky.

Children Health Insurance Program

HUSKY B is Connecticut’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Children under the age of 19 can qualify for free or low-cost health insurance that covers medical, dental, and behavioral health services.

As of January 2021, approximately 18,000 children were enrolled in CHIP.¹⁸

Can You Get Short-Term Health Insurance in Connecticut?

In some states, you can purchase short-term health insurance as an alternative to traditional insurance policies. Cheaper than most insurance plans, short-term insurance plans can be a cost-effective option for some.

However, Connecticut has recently enacted some strict regulations regarding short-term insurance policies that limits their availability.

In 2018, the state ruled that short-term insurance plans had to cover essential health benefits, including hospital expense coverage, medical-surgical expense coverage, major medical expense coverage, hospital or medical service plan contract, or hospital and medical coverage provided to subscribers of a health care center.

The law also said that short-term insurers couldn’t preclude individuals with pre-existing conditions unless the plan was less than six months in duration and was renewable.¹⁹ 

COBRA

If you leave your job or are laid off, you have the option of continuing your current insurance coverage for up to 18 months thanks to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). You can keep your existing policy for you and your family, but you’re responsible for paying the entire premium. While expensive, COBRA can give you time to find a new job and other insurance coverage while providing you with essential health insurance.²⁰ 

Next Steps

If you live in Connecticut and are one of the people who are living without health insurance, it’s important to know that there are multiple options available to you that can fit within your budget. Even if you have very low-income or special circumstances, it’s possible to find a health plan that will work for you.