There is a Special Enrollment Period for Residents with Lower Income, allowing some residents to sign up for health coverage through Access Health CT outside of the Open Enrollment Period. If your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (see chart below) you can use this opportunity to enroll through Access Health CT. Right now, you must call us to enroll.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has made more financial help available through Access Health CT for residents at virtually every income level, and this new Special Enrollment Period gives residents with lower incomes another chance to access these additional savings on monthly bills. Financial help is available that can reduce the monthly cost of health insurance to nearly $0.

Who can use this Special Enrollment Period to enroll?

You must have a household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and be eligible to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan with Premium Tax Credits (more details). Use the table below to see if you may qualify. Remember, when you estimate your household income you should count income for everyone in your tax household, even if they are not enrolling health coverage.

Income Guidelines for 2025 Coverage (For applications submitted on or after December 1, 2024)

What other opportunities do you have to enroll through Access Health CT?

You may not need this new Special Enrollment Period to enroll right now. You may be able to enroll at any time through Access Health CT if you:

• Are an American Indian or Alaska Native
• Qualify for HUSKY Health (Medicaid/CHIP)
• Qualify for the Covered CT Program
• Have a life changing event - like losing health coverage through your job, getting married, having a baby or moving to Connecticut - that qualifies you for a regular Special Enrollment Period

How to Enroll

We are currently working to update our website, so for now you must call us to enroll through this new Special Enrollment Period.  You can speak with one of our Enrollment Specialists who will see if you qualify and help you enroll. There are even Certified Brokers available if you need help picking a plan!  

• Call 1-855-805-4325 (Holiday hours may vary, check website for details)  
• If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or contact us at 1-855-805-4325 with a relay operator

Questions & Answers

1. If I am already a customer of Access Health CT, can I use this as an opportunity to make changes to my plan selection?

No, you cannot change your health plan selection based on this new Special Enrollment Period for Residents with Lower Income.

2. When would my coverage begin?

Coverage starts on the first of the month following enrollment. For example, you can enroll up until April 30, 2024 and have coverage starting May 1, 2024. 

3. After I enroll, when will I receive my first bill and ID card?

4. Can someone enroll through Access Health CT if they are not lawfully present?

Probably not. There are some programs available in the state of Connecticut, but you will not be able to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan through Access Health CT if you are not lawfully present. Please review the general requirements below for enrollment, and if you need additional resources please contact 211.

• 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 CT 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. 

5. Do I need to verify my information in order to enroll through this new Special Enrollment Period?

When you apply for health coverage through Access Health CT, you may be asked to provide additional information to verify what you included in your application. If we need any of these verification documents, you will be notified during the application OR by letter from Access Health CT after you submit your application.

6. When does this opportunity end?

This Special Enrollment Period is open through Plan Year 2025, unless the enhanced subsidies are extended beyond 2025 through federal legislation.

7. How do I estimate my household income?

Please include all estimated income and disclose any unemployment benefits, including any supplemental payments. Any Stimulus Payments do not need to be included in annual income. How to estimate household income

8. What if my income goes up over the next few months? 

If any of your personal information changes during the year, like your household income or contact information, you should report changes to your household information to Access Health CT within 30 days or as quickly as possible. Why? If you are receiving financial help to pay for your plan (Premium Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Reductions), changes in household income or home address could change the amount of financial help you receive. If you fail to report changes within 30 days, it could cause you to owe money to the IRS when you file your taxes for the year.