Connecticut: Access Health CT announces state subsidy program & deadline extension for Feb. coverage

A few weeks ago I reported that Access Health CT, Connecticut's ACA exchange, was planning on joining several other states including California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey & New Mexico in offering supplemental subsidies to partially (or, in the case of New Mexico, fully) backfill the lost federal tax credits for ACA enrollees.

Connecticut will spend $70 million to partly offset the looming loss of $295 million in enhanced federal tax credits that subsidize health insurance premiums for tens of thousands of residents under the Affordable Care Act, Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday.

Using emergency authority granted him by the General Assembly in special session last month, the governor announced the commitment minutes after the U.S. Senate failed to advance either a Democratic proposal to extend the credits or a Republican alternative.

“This is a one-year fix,” Lamont told reporters in a hastily called press conference outside his office at the state Capitol. “We’ll be able to mitigate the pain coming out of the confusion in Washington.”

The state money is expected to keep premiums stable for singles earning up to $56,000 annually and for families of four earning up to $128,000, Lamont said.

At the time, the details of the state subsidies were still being worked on. Today, they've announced how they'll be structured...along with a 2-week extension of the final deadline for residents to enroll in coverage starting February 1st:

Deadline to Enroll in Health and Dental Coverage Through Access Health CT Has Been Extended to Jan. 31

Connecticut residents have two extra weeks to shop, compare, and enroll or renew their health coverage

HARTFORD, Conn. (Jan. 2, 2026) — Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, today announced the final deadline to enroll in a health or dental plan for 2026 has been extended to Saturday, Jan. 31. The original deadline was Jan. 15. Customers who enroll now will have coverage starting Feb. 1. Customers can also renew their coverage. 

Recent state and federal changes mean the amount of financial help available and who is eligible have changed. However, financial assistance is still available. 

Access Health CT is working with state officials on a plan to implement the new state subsidy program that will lower costs for eligible Connecticut residents who purchase their health insurance through the exchange. 

Some customers might qualify for new state subsidies or other low- or no-cost coverage options, including the Covered CT Program or HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). 

The state subsidies will fully fund the expired enhanced premium tax credit amounts for consumers with incomes between 100-200% of the federal poverty level and who are not enrolled in the Covered CT program.

The state subsidies will also replace 50% of the expired enhanced premium tax credit amounts for those with income over 400% of the federal poverty level and up to 500% of the federal poverty level. 

Connecticut had over 150,000 effectuated ACA exchange enrollees at the end of the 2025 Open Enrollment Period, of which around 50,000 earned 100 - 200% FPL. Another 11,000 or so earned between 400 - 500% FPL.

Assuming similar ratios for 2026, that means roughly 1/3 of all CT enrollees will have their federal subsidies fully backfilled and another 7% will have half of theirs covered.

AHCT is the only place Connecticut residents can get financial assistance to pay for their health insurance.  

“We want all customers to understand their coverage options and to see if they qualify for help paying for their health insurance,” said Access Health CT Chief Executive Officer James Michel. “This extension gives Connecticut residents a bit more time to do just that. We’re here to help customers get the coverage they need, whether online, in person or over the phone. Customers can even work with a Certified Broker in their area for free.”

Free help to sign up is available online, in person and over the phone.

Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them, including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site or attending an enrollment fair.

AHCT has expanded its Navigator program to include six locations around the state and introduced a new Mobile Enrollment Team that supports community events and assists with in-person enrollment, available in English and Spanish.

To get help over the phone, customers can call 1-855-805-4325.

From Jan. 2 through Jan. 15, the call center will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Starting Jan. 16 through Jan. 30, the call center will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Help is available in over 100 languages.

The call center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to midnight Jan. 31, 2026. 

Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.

For free help online, customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com. They can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.