Access Health CT: Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange

United Way of Connecticut - 211 and eLibrary Resource Center https://uwc.211ct.org

Categories : Health Care Payment Assistance/Health Insurance, Health Issues

Access Health CT has opened a Special Enrollment Period from May 1 – August 15, 2021 for new and current customers to take advantage of newly available financial help: • The Special Enrollment Period is from May 1 – August 15, 2021 • For residents to take advantage of new financial help available

Individuals may also qualify for coverage through Access Health CT at any time if you have a Qualifying Life Event (QLE) through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Special Enrollment Period is a time outside of the Annual Open Enrollment Period when individuals can sign up for health insurance coverage through Access Health CT.

For additional information on the special enrollment eligibility – visit the website at: https://learn.accesshealthct.com/

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Starting July 1, 2021, under a new State of Connecticut initiative, “Covered Connecticut Program”, some Connecticut residents that meet specific eligibility requirements, see below, will be paying $0 for their health insurance coverage through Access Health CT. The State of Connecticut will pay the customer’s portion of the monthly payment (premium) directly to their insurance company (Anthem/ConnectiCare), and will also pay for the cost-sharing amounts (deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance and maximum out-of-pocket costs) that customers would normally have to pay with a health insurance plan.

Visit the Access Health CT webpage , here, for more details and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Access Health CT (also known as the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange) was created by the Connecticut Legislature in 2011 established to satisfy the requirements of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a federal law that requires most United States citizens and legally documented United States residents to have health insurance.

What is Access Health CT? Access Health CT is the marketplace that offers individuals, families, and small employers a range of qualified, approved health insurance plans from brand-name carriers in Connecticut.

Access Health CT now allows consumers to speak with a call center representative by dialing, 1-855-909-2428, to receive information on choices about their health care coverage options. Access Health CT will also coordinate eligibility and enrollment with state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs.

For more information on Connecticut’s program, go to www.AccessHealthCT.com.

Access Health CT’s list of Enrollment Fairs, can be found at: learn.accesshealthct.com/locations

Additional Information:

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The federal website at www.healthcare.gov provides more information on what the new law means to you and other basic information. For other health care related topics and how the new law may affect Medicare and Medicaid, visit the Kaiser Family Foundation website at www.kff.org Healthcare.gov has consumer fact sheets to help consumers make informed decisions about choosing the health plan that’s right for them: Understanding the Differences between Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Plans Choosing the Health Plan That’s Right for You Choosing a Health Plan That You Can Afford

Connecticut residents can continue to visit with Certified Application Counselors, at various locations throughout the state, listed at http://learn.accesshealthct.com/locations/. New applicants enrolling in Medicaid (HUSKY) and the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), can apply year round.

Also, individuals who experience a “Special Enrollment Qualifying Life Event”, which include the following, can enroll anytime:

birth adoption women first learning they are pregnant death of a member of the household marriage loss of current health coverage or loss or reduction in employer insurance new legal CT resident or United States residency or United States lawful presence

If anyone in your household enrolled in a health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace will get a Form 1095-A each year— Health Insurance Marketplace Statement. You’ll get it in the mail by early February. Use it to file your federal income tax return. • Errors on Form 1095-A: When you get Form 1095-A, make sure the information matches your records. Check things like coverage start and end dates and the number of people in your household. If you think anything’s wrong contact, Access Health CT.

**If you had health coverage from another source: If you had health coverage from another source, like a job, Medicare, Medicaid, or a plan you bought outside the Marketplace:

• You’ll report this simply by checking a box on your federal income tax form • You won’t have to fill out any additional tax forms • You won’t get a Form 1095-A.

**If you don’t have health coverage, one of the following will apply to you:

• You’ll qualify for a health coverage exemption. • You’ll pay a fee when you file your federal income tax return

For more detailed information on Fees & Exemptions, visit the HealthCare.gov website

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SOURCE: Access Health CT website; HealthCare.gov website; Kaiser Family Foundation; U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; USA Today PREPARED BY: 211/tb CONTENT LAST REVIEWED/July2021

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