Annual Open Enrollment
The Open Enrollment Period begins every year on November 1. This is the time you can shop, compare and enroll in or renew a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) and/or Stand-Alone Dental Plan (SADP). Whether you are renewing coverage or looking at insurance options for the first time, Access Health CT is here to help you understand how to enroll and what to expect during Open Enrollment. If you have already shopped before, take another look.
New Customers >
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS TO FIND THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOU
Understand the types of financial help or coverage you qualify for and find free help if you need a plan recommendation.
Create an account to begin the application process or use our tool to see if you qualify for financial help.
Renewing Customers >
REVIEW YOUR INFORMATION AND UNDERSTAND YOUR RENEWAL PROCESS
Access Health CT encourages all customers to shop and compare plans. Make sure your preferred doctors are in-network and prescriptions drugs are covered by your plan. If you are already enrolled through Access Health CT, you may need to take action to renew your health and/or dental insurance plan and see all the financial help available to you.
Sign in to report changes or review current household information.
Enrollment Checklist:
What you need to complete an application
Have this information for yourself and anyone in your household applying for coverage:
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Visa, Green Card or immigration documents
- Most recent Form W-2 and/or Form 1040 or Form 1099
- Current insurance coverage
- Paystubs, Profit & Loss statements, or other employment information to confirm income for everyone in your tax household
Frequently Asked Questions: Annual Open Enrollment Period
1. Who can enroll through Access Health CT?
-
- HUSKY Health (Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)): You must be lawfully present in the U.S., and most individuals must also meet a five-year residency requirement. You are excluded from this requirement if you are a child, pregnant, a refugee/asylee, Cuban/Haitian entrant or a victim of trafficking. Amerasians, Iraqi, and Afghan special immigrants, and aliens whose deportations are withheld, are also excluded from meeting the five-year residency requirement.
- Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) & Stand-Alone Dental Plans (SADPs): You must be a Connecticut resident, a U.S. citizen or lawfully present in the U.S. and not incarcerated (other than pending final disposition of charges). If you are eligible or enrolled in Medicare, Veterans Affairs benefits, or TRICARE, your eligibility to enroll in a QHP and/or SADP will depend on the type of coverage you’re offered. If your current health coverage is considered comprehensive, also known as “minimum essential coverage,” then you are ineligible to enroll in a QHP. If your current minimum essential coverage also includes dental coverage, then you are ineligible to enroll in a SADP. The best way to find out if you qualify for a QHP and/or a SADP is to complete an application or contact us for help. (More information)
2. How do I start an application?
- Online at AccessHealthCT.com
- By Phone at 1-855-805-4325 (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)
- In Person – AccessHealthCT.com/Enrollment-Events
3. What do I need to enroll?
Enrollment Checklist: Have this information for yourself, and anyone in your household applying for insurance:
- Dates of birth
- Social Security numbers
- Visa, Green Card or immigration documents
- Most recent Form W-2 and/or Form 1040 or Form 1099
- Paystubs, Profit & Loss statements or other employment information to confirm income for everyone in your tax household
NOTE: After you enroll, you may need to provide documents to confirm details in your application, like citizenship and income.
4. What should I think about when I enroll in health coverage?
Before you pick a new plan, make sure you know how plans through Access Health CT work and what services are covered. Keep your own needs in mind — search for your doctors, prescription drugs and expected medical services before you apply.
Before You Start: Create an Account or Log In, and make sure your household information is updated now and throughout the year.
Use Compare Plans to take into account your preferred doctors, prescription medications and how frequently you use medical services—then, compare health plans by:
- Monthly payments (premiums)
- Cost sharing (what you pay for services/medicines)
- Doctors (or provider), prescription drug coverage and medical use
To get to Compare Plans, click here or go to AccessHealthCT.com and click “Compare Plans.”
5. Why did my medical premium rates increase from last year?
The insurance companies that offer coverage through Access Health CT issued rate increases for the last plan year. This means that you may have had to pay more in premium per month than the previous year. Rate increases must be approved by the Connecticut Insurance Department.
For more information on specific rate increases, you should view the rate increase justification issued by your insurance carrier:
- Anthem Rate Increase Justification: Individual / Small Group
- ConnectiCare Individual Rate Increase Justification
Latest from the blog
Get Free In-Person Help
Access Health CT (AHCT) helps Connecticut residents when and where they need it. We hold different kinds of enrollment events in places where people can get one-on-one help with their applications for health and dental coverage. The best part is that all help is free...
Open Enrollment: 2026 Health and Dental Plans Overview
During Open Enrollment, you can sign up for health and dental insurance plans or make changes to your current plan(s). For coverage starting January 1, 2026, you must enroll by December 15, 2025. If you enroll between December 16, 2025 and January 15, 2026, your...
Open Enrollment Is Here: Your Guide to Finding Coverage
It’s that time of year. Open Enrollment for health and dental coverage through Access Health CT (AHCT) kicks off November 1. This is your opportunity to shop, compare and enroll in health or dental coverage or change your current health or dental plan for 2026....
Five Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Health Plan
This year, Access Health CT has 22 health plans from high-quality insurance carriers to choose from, categorized by metal level. You can select a plan that best meets your health needs and fits your financial situation. With so many choices, it is important to know...
How to Renew Your Coverage During Open Enrollment
If you’re enrolled in health or dental coverage through Access Health CT, you can renew your coverage during Open Enrollment beginning November 1. Renewing your coverage during Open Enrollment is the best way to ensure you will continue to have the coverage you...
Ten Essential Health Benefits Are Included in Every Plan
All health plans offered through Access Health CT provide coverage for ten Essential Health Benefits. This means our coverage options include preventive services, emergency room visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health services and more. These...
