Life can change in many ways. You might have a change in income (how much money your household makes), get married or have a baby. When these things happen, it’s important to tell Access Health CT (AHCT) right away. Reporting life changes will help you get the right health coverage and, if eligible, amount of financial help.
What is a life change?
A life change is something big that happens in your life. Some of these changes may let you sign up for a health or dental plan or make changes to your current plan(s). You can even do so outside of the Open Enrollment Period, which starts every year on November 1. These life changes are called Qualifying Life Events (QLEs). Examples include:
- A change in household income
- Getting married or divorced
- Having a baby or adopting a child
- Moving to Connecticut
If you have one of these changes, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). This is a window of time where you can enroll in a health or dental plan or change your current plan(s).
Why reporting life changes matters
Big life changes, like changes to your household income, where you reside or who lives with you are important information to report right away. Most people get some sort of financial help. The financial help you get each month is a tax credit, known as an Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC). An APTC helps lower the cost of your monthly payment (called a premium).
This help is based on your household income and household details. If anything changes and you don’t report it, your financial help might not be correct. Later, when you file your federal income tax return, the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) will check if you got the right amount of help. If you received the wrong amount of APTCs, you will have to pay some, or in some cases, all of it back.
Tell us about any changes in your life as soon as they happen. This helps keep your plan and financial help correct, so you won’t have to pay back money during tax time.
Reporting a change in income
If how much income your household makes changes, it is important to tell AHCT right away. Income can include pay from your or your spouse’s job or other income you make during the year.
The amount of financial help you get for your health plan is based on your household’s income. To report a change, just log in to your account at AccessHealthCT.com or call us at 1-855-805-4325.
Adding a newborn to your health plan
One of the most exciting life changes is bringing home a newborn baby. Although newborns are automatically covered under their mother’s health plan for the first 61 days, it’s important to add your baby to your QHP within 60 days of birth to make sure they have continuous health coverage. If you don’t add your baby, they might be without insurance after the temporary health coverage ends.
How to report a life change
It’s easy to report a life change. You usually have 60 days from the date of your life change to report it and sign up for health coverage. You can:
- Call AHCT at 1-855-805-4325.
- Visit AccessHealthCT.com and update your account.
- Get help in person at a Navigator location or enrollment event.
You may need to submit verification documents to AHCT to confirm your life change within 30 days of selecting your health plan. For example, if you have a new baby, you may need to send a birth certificate or hospital record. If your household income changes, a recent pay stub may be required.
Still have questions?
Whether you have questions about health and/or dental coverage or other topics, the Access Health CT team is ready and available to help. Remember, all help is free.
- Online: AccessHealthCT.com/get-help.
- Live chat: AccessHealthCT.com;click “Live Chat” icon.
- Phone: 1-855-805-4325; customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call us at 1-855-805-4325 with a relay operator (we speak over 100 languages).
- Find a Certified Brokernear you who can recommend coverage that is right for your needs and budget.