Federal Changes to Health Coverage

Financial help is still available

If you have health insurance through Access Health CT, recent federal changes could affect how you sign up and pay for your plan. We want to help you understand what these changes mean for you and what you can do to stay covered.

The most important thing to know is that financial help is still available. Access Health CT is here to help you find and keep the insurance you and your family need to stay healthy.

About the federal changes

The changes impacting customers are the result of three things: 

• The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” which President Trump signed into law in 2025.
• Final Rules on Marketplace Integrity and Affordability. Each year the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) release new rules all insurance marketplaces (like Access Health CT) must follow. The rules in 2025 and 2026 make changes to eligibility, requirements for enrollment and how the marketplace can operate.
• The expiration of enhanced federal tax credits. These tax credits gave more financial help to more people. Congress did not extend them past 2025.

Access Health CT estimates that the total impact of these federal changes will cause 30-35% of people who are currently enrolled to be uninsured by 2034.

There are even more changes affecting people who have HUSKY Health (Medicaid). You can learn more about these changes from the Connecticut Department of Social Services (opens in a new window).

State Financial Help

In response to the expiring enhanced federal tax credits, Governor Lamont announced the State of Connecticut will provide additional financial help to replace some or all of the enhanced federal tax credits.

The State will replace the full difference between the standard tax credit and the expired enhanced federal tax credit if you:

• Have a household income between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) ($15,650 – $31,300 for an individual and $32,150 – $64,300 for a family of four).
• Are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program.

The state will provide half of the expired enhanced federal tax credit to households who have an income between 400% and 500% FPL ($62,600.01 – $78,250 for an individual and $128,600.01 – $160,750 for a family of four).

Changes Starting Plan Year 2027

• The Open Enrollment Period will be different for plan year 2027. Open Enrollment will begin on October 23, 2026, and end on January 15, 2027. Customers will need to enroll by December 15 to have insurance beginning on January 1, 2027. Customers who enroll between December 16 and January 15 will have coverage beginning on February 1, 2027.
• Financial help for some lawfully present immigrants will end. Only lawful permanent residents who have a Green Card, Cuban and Haitian Entrants and individuals in the U.S. under the Compact of Free Associations (COFA) will be able to get financial help. Other lawfully present non-citizens can still enroll in a health plan but cannot get financial help to lower their costs.
• Beginning October 1, 2026, only certain lawfully present immigrants are eligible to enroll in HUSKY Health (Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program). Only lawfully permanent residents with a Green Card, Cuban and Haitian Entrants (defined under section 501(e) of the Refugee 12 Education Assistance Act of 1980) or individuals in the U.S. under the Compact of Free Associations (COFA) can enroll in HUSKY Health. They must also meet income eligibility guidelines.
• Anyone who is not eligible for HUSKY Health (Medicaid) because they did not meet work rules will not be eligible for financial help to purchase a health plan through Access Health CT.

Changes Starting Plan Year 2028

• Starting in 2028, you will no longer be able to automatically re-enroll in your health or dental plan. In order to keep your coverage and financial help, you will have to verify your information, including income, immigration status, address, family size and other household information.

Help Navigating the Changes

Access Health CT is here to help you navigate the policy changes and find the health or dental plan that works best for you and your family. Remember, financial help is still available.

There are multiple ways to stay ahead of the changes, all for free.

• Use a Certified Broker. Brokers are experts in their field. They are also trained and updated on every policy change. Their advice is free and unbiased, so you don’t have to worry about them trying to sell you the most expensive plan. They’re also the only ones who can recommend a plan for your specific situation. You can find a Certified Broker near you who speaks the language you’re most comfortable with.
• Schedule an appointment with an Enrollment Specialist. They can walk you through the policy changes and provide help one-on-one at the time and location that works best for you.
• Compare plans. Access Health CT recommends actively shopping for a health plan during Open Enrollment. You may find a plan that fits your health needs better or is better for your budget. You may also be able to take advantage of a Health Savings Account (HSA), which is another way to control your health care costs.

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