The Open Enrollment Period for 2024 coverage begins November 1, 2023.
Residents may be able to enroll at any time through Access Health CT if they:
- Are an American Indian or Alaska Native
- Qualify for HUSKY Health (Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program)
- Qualify for the Covered Connecticut Program
- Qualify for the Special Enrollment Period for Residents with Lower Income
- Experience a Qualifying Life Event like losing health coverage through your job, getting married, or moving to Connecticut from another state or country.
A Special Enrollment Period is a special window of time outside the Open Enrollment Period when you can enroll in health insurance coverage through Access Health CT. To qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you must prove that you have a Qualifying Life Event – and you will have 60 days from the date of that event to contact Access Health CT to complete your application process and enroll in health insurance coverage.
Please note that if you qualify for Medicaid/CHIP, or if you are an American Indian or Alaska Native, you can enroll in coverage any time of the year.
Qualifying Life Events
A change in your life — like losing health coverage through your job, getting married, having a baby or moving to Connecticut— can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to enroll in health insurance coverage outside the annual Open Enrollment Period.
If you have a Qualifying Life Event, your Special Enrollment Period will generally last 60 days from the date of the event. During this time, you can sign up for health insurance coverage or change your plan if you already have coverage.
Important: if there are changes to the benefits offered by your employer, including employer contributions to your health insurance premiums and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Deadlines & Verification
- Before You Apply: You have up to 60 days from the date of your Qualifying Life Event to apply for health insurance coverage through Access Health CT.
- Before Coverage Can Begin: You must provide proof of your Qualifying life Event, and you will have up to 30 days to submit those documents. You must verify your information before your coverage can begin. See below for a full list of Qualifying Life Events and acceptable documents.
- Other Information, If We Ask: You have up to 90 days from the date you apply to provide proof of other information like your household income or immigration status (if we ask you for that information). Always respond to requests for verification documents - or else it could impact your coverage or your financial help.
To learn more about Special Enrollment Periods and how to provide proof of your Qualifying Life Event, click here.
Qualifying Life Events |
Verification Document |
Loss of Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) occurs when an individual loses a health insurance plan that meets the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirement for having health care coverage. Examples include: |
Provide a coverage termination letter from the employer, HR department, or healthcare coverage administrator of your terminated coverage. Termination letters must include: |
Gain of Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) or a change in employer contributions to an HRA or QSEHRA |
Provide the letter from your employer, HR department, or healthcare coverage administrator that explains the gain of Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) or a change in employer contributions to an HRA or QSEHRA. The letter must include: • Name of employer • Name and signature of the authorized person issuing the letter |
A recent move to Connecticut from another state or country |
A piece of mail demonstrating your move to Connecticut: |
Recently Married |
A copy of your marriage license/certificate AND proof of minimum essential coverage for one day during the 60 days before your marriage (either spouse) |
Becoming pregnant, giving birth, foster care, or adopting a baby |
• A letter of Certification of Pregnancy |
Newly eligible for Premium Tax Credits due to decrease in household income (Modified Adjusted Gross Income, or MAGI) |
•Letter of attestation of decrease in household income [PDF] • Proof of minimum essential coverage that was not obtained through Access Health CT within 60 days of the decrease in household income. |
No longer eligible for Premium Tax Credits (APTC) or a Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSR) |
No documents needed to verify this event. |
Gain of Eligible Immigration Status or Citizenship |
You may need one or more of these documents, to confirm lawful presence/immigration status: • Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”, I-551) • Temporary I-551 Stamp (on passport or I-94, I-94A) • Immigrant Visa (with temporary I-551 language) • Employment Authorization Card (EAD or I-766) • Arrival/Departure Record (I-94 or I-94A) • Arrival/Departure Record in foreign passport (I-94) • Unexpired foreign passport • Country of issuance Reentry Permit (I-327) • Refugee travel document (I-571) • Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status (I-20) • Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (DS2019) • Notice of Action (I-797) |
If you are a current customer and have a change in income or household information, make sure you contact Access Health CT within 30 days (More Information). |
More Information:
- Offered COBRA? Click here for important information
- Learn More about Special Enrollment Periods
- Learn More about Special Enrollment Period verification
- Learn about Our Plans