The Connecticut Insurance Department has posted the initial proposed health insurance rate filings for the 2026 individual and small group markets. There are 8 filings made by 7 health insurers for plans that currently cover approximately 224,000 people (158,000 individual and 66,000 small group).
Anthem has filed rates for both individual and small group plans that will be marketed through Access Health CT, the state-sponsored health insurance exchange. ConnectiCare Benefits Inc. (CBI) and ConnectiCare Insurance Company, Inc. have filed rates for the individual market on the exchange.
Before I continue, note that yes, I'm aware the 17.8% average shown below doesn't match the 22.9% average in the headline above. There's a reason for this which should be obvious if you read on:
The 2026 rate proposals for the individual and small group market are on average higher than last year:
For over a decade, State-Based Marketplaces have provided private health coverage to tens of millions of Americans, ensuring their health, well-being, and economic security. The Americans who depend on the Marketplaces include working parents, small business owners, farmers, gig workers, early retirees, and lower and middle-class individuals of all ages, political views, and backgrounds who drive our local economies and make both our rural and urban communities thrive.
The legislation under consideration in the House will severely impact the ability of these millions of Americans to continue to access this coverage and the health and financial security they depend on today. This will make for a sicker, less financially secure American public and strain hospitals and health care providers by increasing uncompensated care.
Connecticut Residents Can Now Request Information About Health Insurance Options While Filing Taxes
HARTFORD, Conn. (April 7, 2025) — Access Health CT (AHCT) and the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) today announced that Connecticut residents can now check a box on their state income tax return to get information about health coverage options. In 2023, the state passed Public Act 23-204 which provided the authority for this partnership.
AHCT is the official health insurance marketplace for Connecticut and the only place to get financial help to help offset the cost of health coverage. Eligible customers can enroll in Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) or other low- or no-cost health coverage including the Covered CT Program which provides health and dental coverage at no cost to the customer, or HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid Program and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
With the pending dire threat to several of these programs (primarily Medicaid & the ACA) from the House Republican Budget Proposal which recently passed, I'm going a step further and am generating pie charts which visualize just how much of every Congressional District's total population is at risk of losing healthcare coverage.
USE THE DROP-DOWN MENU ABOVE TO FIND YOUR STATE & DISTRICT.
It was in early 2021 that Congressional Democrats passed & President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which among other things dramatically expanded & enhanced the original premium subsidy formula of the Affordable Care Act, finally bringing the financial aid sliding income scale up to the level it should have been in the first place over a decade earlier.
In addition to beefing up the subsidies along the entire 100 - 400% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) income scale, the ARPA also eliminated the much-maligned "Subsidy Cliff" at 400% FPL, wherein a household earning even $1 more than that had all premium subsidies cut off immediately, requiring middle-class families to pay full price for individual market health insurance policies.
Here's what the original ACA premium subsidy formula looked like compared to the current, enhanced subsidy formula:
Customers who enroll on or before Jan. 15, 2025 will have coverage beginning Feb. 1, 2025
HARTFORD, Conn. (Jan. 6, 2025) — Access Health CT (AHCT) today announced the deadline to enroll in health and dental coverage starting Feb. 1, 2025 is Jan. 15, 2025. This is the final deadline for the 2025 Open Enrollment Period.
The Open Enrollment Period for Connecticut residents to shop, compare and enroll in health insurance or renew their coverage began Nov. 1, 2024. Customers may enroll in either health or dental coverage, or both.
AHCT is the only place state residents can get financial help to pay for their health insurance. Nearly 90% of customers received financial assistance last year. Some customers might qualify for the Covered CT Program. This program provides no-cost coverage for eligible residents.
Customers who enroll on or before Dec. 15, 2024 will have coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2025
HARTFORD, Conn. (Dec. 9, 2024) — Access Health CT (AHCT) today announced the deadline to enroll in health and dental coverage starting Jan. 1, 2025 is Dec. 15, 2024. Customers who enroll Dec. 16, 2024 through Jan. 15, 2025 will have coverage starting Feb. 1, 2025.
The Open Enrollment Period for Connecticut residents to shop, compare and enroll in health insurance or renew their coverage began Nov. 1, 2024 and runs through Jan. 15, 2025. Customers may enroll in only health or dental coverage, or both.
AHCT is the only place state residents can get financial help to pay for their health insurance. Nearly 90% of AHCT customers receive financial assistance to help pay for their health insurance. Some customers might qualify for the Covered CT Program. This program provides no-cost coverage for eligible residents.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Won’t Pay for the Complete Duration of Anesthesia for Patients’ Surgical Procedures
CHICAGO – In an unprecedented move, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri have unilaterally declared it will no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure goes beyond an arbitrary time limit, regardless of how long the surgical procedure takes. The American Society of Anesthesiologists calls on Anthem to reverse this proposal immediately.
Anesthesiologists provide individualized care to every patient, carefully assessing the patient’s health prior to the surgery, looking at existing diseases and medical conditions to determine the resources and medical expertise needed, attending to the patient during the entire procedure, resolving unexpected complications that may arise and/or extend the duration of the surgery, and working to ensure that the patient is comfortable during recovery.
Enrollment Specialists available at events to help consumers in English and Spanish
HARTFORD, Conn. (Nov. 1, 2024) — Access Health CT (AHCT) today announced it will hold 10 enrollment fairs in November to help Connecticut residents shop, compare, and enroll in health or dental coverage. They can also renew their coverage. Enrollment fairs are one-day events for customers to get free, in-person help from experts. The fairs will take place in Bridgeport, Bristol, Fairfield, Hartford, Middletown, New Haven, Norwalk, Torrington, Waterbury and Willimantic.
Open Enrollment begins today. When you enroll affects when your coverage starts. If customers enroll on or before Dec. 15, 2024, coverage will start Jan. 1, 2025. If they enroll between Dec. 16, 2024, and Jan. 15, 2025, coverage will start Feb. 1, 2025.
Connecticut residents can shop, compare and enroll in quality health insurance plans from Nov. 1, 2024 through Jan. 15, 2025
HARTFORD, Conn. (Oct. 31, 2024) — Access Health CT (AHCT) announced the Open Enrollment period begins Nov. 1, 2024 and ends Jan. 15, 2025. Connecticut residents can shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance plans or renew their coverage. Customers may also enroll in dental insurance through AHCT.
When you enroll affects when your coverage starts. If customers enroll on or before Dec. 15, 2024, coverage will start Jan. 1, 2025. If they enroll between Dec. 16, 2024 and Jan. 15, 2025, coverage will start Feb. 1, 2025.
