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Special Enrollment Periods

Written by Access Health CT | Published April 24th, 2023 | Updated April 24th, 2023

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: 


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: 
 
• Losing your coverage due to job change/loss 
• Losing coverage through your employer 
• Exhaustion of COBRA coverage 
• Losing coverage through your spouse or parent 
• No longer eligible for Medicaid/HUSKY 
 
 
• Decertification of your health plan 
• Cancellation of employer healthcare coverage for employees or their beneficiaries 
• Cancellation or a large reduction in employer contributions toward coverage so that your share of premium does not meet federal standards 
 
 
Please note: Loss of MEC does not include voluntary termination of coverage or termination by the insurer due to non-payment of monthly payments (premiums). 
 

Provide a coverage termination letter from the employer, HR department, or healthcare coverage administrator of your terminated coverage. Termination letters must include: 
 
 
• Your first and last name 
• An insurance coverage end date that happened or will happen within 60 days of your Access Health CT application date. 
• The last day of coverage in the termination letter must be the same as the coverage end date you list on your application. 
• Name of employer or healthcare coverage administrator 
• Name and signature of the authorized person issuing the letter 
 
 
Please note: If your coverage termination letter says that you did not pay your monthly payments (premiums) or that you chose to end your coverage, you will not be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. 
 

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: 

• Your first and last name 

• Name of employer  

• Name and signature of the authorized person issuing the letter 
• Date of eligibility or change in contribution 

A recent move to Connecticut from another state or country 
 

A piece of mail demonstrating your move to Connecticut: 
• Proof of your address change from another state 
• A recent utility bill from your previous address AND a utility bill from your new Connecticut residence (2 documents) 
 
If moving from another U.S. state, proof of minimum essential coverage for at least one day during the 60 days before your move is required. This is not required if you are moving from another country 

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 
• A copy of your child’s birth certificate 
• A copy of adoption confirmation documents 
• A copy of foster care confirmation documents 

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: