Connecticut: @AccessHealthCT announces #CoveredCT program now available to adults w/out children, includes dental & transportation benefits!

Back in February, I wrote about Connecticut's new "Covered Connecticut" program:

Access Health CT Announces Special Enrollment Period For Covered Connecticut Program

• Eligible Connecticut residents have until June 30 to enroll

HARTFORD, Conn. (Feb. 15, 2022) — Access Health CT (AHCT) today announced a Special Enrollment Period for the Covered Connecticut Program that provides health insurance at no cost to Connecticut residents who meet eligibility requirements. This Special Enrollment Period runs now through June 30.

Created and funded by the State of Connecticut, the Covered Connecticut Program pays the customer’s portion of the monthly payment (premium) directly to their insurance company. The program also covers the cost-sharing amounts they would typically have to pay with a health insurance plan, such as co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs.

To qualify for the Covered Connecticut Program, Connecticut residents must: meet income requirements, be a parent or caretaker relative with children in the household that are under age 19 (if the children are age 18 or older, they must be full-time students in secondary school), use all the financial help available through Access Health CT and be enrolled in an eligible Silver level health insurance plan. For details on income requirements and more, visit AccessHealthCT.com and search “Covered Connecticut” or click here.

Here were the details at that time:

Some Connecticut residents that meet specific eligibility requirements will be paying $0 for their healthcare coverage through Access Health CT, thanks to the new Covered Connecticut Program created by the State of Connecticut. The Covered Connecticut Program is administered by the State Office of Health Strategy in partnership with the Department of Social Services, the Insurance Department and Access Health CT.

Parents/caretakers, and their tax dependents, must meet the following eligibility requirements to participate in the Covered Connecticut Program:

1. Have a household annual income that is greater than 160%, and up to and including 175% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
2. Have at least one dependent child in the household under age 19. A child who is age 18 must be a full-time student.
3. Be eligible for Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) and Cost Sharing Reductions (CSRs)
4. Use 100% of Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) and Cost Sharing Reductions (CSRs) available to you, along with the expanded American Rescue Plan (ARP) financial assistance.
5. Be enrolled in an eligible Silver Level Plan

Background: In this new program, the State of Connecticut will pay the consumer portion of the monthly payment (premium) directly to insurance carriers (Anthem/ConnectiCare) and will also pay for all of the costsharing amounts (deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance and maximum out-of- pocket costs) that customers normally would have to pay with a health insurance plan.

Beginning July 1, 2022, this program will also include coverage for visiting the dentist and non- emergency medical transportation (NEMT) to see providers. The health insurance plan will be a Silver Plan offered by either Anthem or ConnectiCare through Access Health CT. The dental benefits and non-emergency transportation will be administered by the Department of Social Services.

Well, this week, Access Health CT expanded the program to more people:

HARTFORD, Conn. (June 28, 2022) — Access Health CT (AHCT) today announced new eligibility requirements for the Covered Connecticut Program and additional benefits for those that qualify. The program launched July 1, 2021, to provide health insurance at no cost to parents and caretaker relatives who meet all eligibility requirements and is now available to Connecticut residents without children who also satisfy all eligibility criteria. As of July 1, 2022, the program provides dental coverage and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) benefits.

Created and funded by the State of Connecticut, the Covered Connecticut Program is available at no cost to those who meet the eligibility requirements. It is administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services. Customers can enroll in the program at any time they meet eligibility requirements. Coverage starts on the first of the month following enrollment. For example, if a person enrolls on July 5, their coverage begins on August 1.

Along with paying the customer’s portion of the monthly payment (premium) directly to their insurance company (Anthem or ConnectiCare), the State of Connecticut also pays for the cost-sharing amounts (deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance and maximum out-of-pocket costs) that customers would typically have to pay with a health insurance plan.

“We encourage people to visit AccessHealthCT.com to see if they qualify for the Covered Connecticut Program,” said Chief Executive Officer of AHCT, James Michel. “And residents who do qualify do not have to wait until Open Enrollment to apply – they can do it today.”

To qualify, Connecticut residents must:

• have a household income up to and including 175% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and
• not qualify for HUSKY Health/Medicaid because of income;
• be eligible for financial help including Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) and Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs);
• and use 100% of the financial help available to them.
• They must also be enrolled in a Silver-level health insurance plan.

Here's the FPL levels for different household sizes:

• 1 person: up to $22,540/yr
• 2 people: up to $30,485/yr
• 3 people: up to $38,430/yr
• 4 people: up to $46,375/yr
• 5 people: up to $54,320/yr
• 6 people: up to $62,265/yr
• 7 people: up to $70,210/yr
• 8 people: up to $78,155/yr

Connecticut residents can find out if they are eligible for the Covered Connecticut Program by completing an application at AccessHealthCT.comand can find free help and enroll online, in-person or by phone.

For free online help, residents may visit AccessHealthCT.com. Live chat is available by clicking the “live chat” icon to connect with a customer service representative in real time. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

For free in-person help, residents may work with a certified broker or enrollment specialist in their community. To find a certified broker or enrollment specialist, visit the Get Help webpage.

In addition, residents may visit either of Access Health CT’s Navigator partner locations:

• Project Access New Haven, located at 63 York Street in New Haven; Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Community Renewal Team, located at 330 Market Street in Hartford; Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Residents may also contact the call center at 1-855-805-4325, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.