1. What is Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment is the period when you can shop, compare and enroll or renew in a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) and/or Stand-Alone Dental Plan (SADP) at the same time through Access Health CT. 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.
2. When is Open Enrollment?
If you are interested in getting health and/or dental coverage, you can shop, compare and enroll in 2024 health and dental insurance plans starting November 1, 2023. If you want coverage that starts on January 1, 2024, you must complete your application by December 15, 2023. If you submit an application between December 16, 2023 and January 15, 2024, your coverage will begin February 1, 2024.
Some people can enroll in health coverage at any time of year; contact Access Health CT to see if you qualify.
- Qualifying Life Event
A change in your life status makes you eligible to enroll in health and/or dental coverage through a Special Enrollment Period. Examples of Qualifying Life Events include moving to Connecticut, certain changes to your household income, and changes to your household size (marriage, divorce or birth). - Special Enrollment Period
A Special Enrollment Period means a time outside of the Open Enrollment Period during which you and your household members have the right to sign up for health and/or dental coverage. If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you will generally have a period of 60 days following your Qualifying Life Event to enroll in health and/or dental insurance through Access Health CT. Those Qualifying Life Events include, for example, a change in family status (i.e., marriage or birth of a child) or loss of health coverage. If you do not qualify for the Special Enrollment Period, you cannot purchase health or dental insurance through Access Health CT until the next Open Enrollment Period.
3. What is new this year?
Many people currently are shopping for health and dental insurance because the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) resumed the pre-pandemic HUSKY Health (Medicaid) renewal process, a process known as Medicaid Unwinding. Connecticut residents who no longer qualify for HUSKY Health, due to changes to household income or other eligibility factors, may enroll in new health and dental coverage before their HUSKY Health coverage ends. These residents will have a Special Enrollment Period of 120 days after their loss of Medicaid coverage to enroll in new health and/or dental coverage through Access Health CT. HUSKY Health clients should have received a letter from DSS about the status of their renewal process.
Also, starting this year, you may qualify to automatically renew your dental plan, if you are currently enrolled in one. You can also shop, compare and enroll in other dental plans through Access Health CT during Open Enrollment.
4. What is the same?
Continuing this year through 2025, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) extends enhanced subsidies to make coverage more affordable for many Connecticut residents.
The Covered Connecticut Program, providing no-cost health and dental insurance to eligible Connecticut residents, is also still an option.
To explore these options and all financial help, you can seek free enrollment assistance from Brokers and Certified Application Counselors (CACs). Brokers can recommend a plan for you and are available to speak with at free enrollment events throughout the state. Find a Broker to speak with here. Find an enrollment event here.
5. How do I shop, compare & enroll?
You can apply online, by phone or in-person.
6. Where can I get help?
Whether you have questions about your eligibility, comparing plans, or want to see if you qualify for financial help, our team is ready and available to assist you. Remember, all help is free!
- Visit our website at AccessHealthCT.com
- Live chat: AccessHealthCT.com; click “Live Chat” icon
- Phone: 1-855-805-4325; customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator (we speak over 100 languages).
- Attend one of our Enrollment Fairs
- Visit one of our Enrollment Locations
- Find a Broker or CAC near you