Written by Access Health CT | Published October 10th, 2023 | Updated October 10th, 2023The 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 HUSKY Health, 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 and/or dental 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 generally have 60 days from the date of that event to contact Access Health CT to complete your application process and enroll in health and/or dental insurance coverage. If you lose your HUSKY Health (Medicaid/CHIP) coverage, you will have up to 120 days after your HUSKY Health coverage ends to enroll in health and/or dental insurance coverage through Access Health CT.
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 and/or dental 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 and/or 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. If you lose your HUSKY Health (Medicaid/CHIP) coverage, you will have up to 120 days after your HUSKY Health coverage ends to enroll in health and/or dental 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 health and/or dental coverage 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 QSERA. The letter must include:
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A recent move to Connecticut from another state or country |
A piece of mail demonstrating your move to Connecticut:
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 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 |
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Newly eligible for Premium Tax Credits due to decrease in household income (Modified Adjusted Gross Income, or MAGI) |
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No longer eligible for Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) or a Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSR) |
No documents needed to verify this event. |
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Gain of Eligibile Immigration Status or Citizenship |
You may need one of more of these documents, to confirm lawful presence/immigration status:
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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