Federal Government Shutdown: Access Health CT Open Enrollment Begins

The federal government shutdown has surpassed the five-week mark, making it the longest in United States history.  Congress remains gridlocked in a battle over the extension of enhanced premium tax credits for customers purchasing plans through the health insurance exchange marketplace. 

Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans on Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, began November 1, 2025, and ends January 15, 2026. 

AHCT is holding several free, in-person enrollment fairs in November, where experts will help customers shop, compare, and enroll in health or dental coverage, or renew their coverage.  The fairs will take place in Danbury, Manchester, Norwalk, Norwich, New London, Stratford, and Willimantic.

“Federal changes are reducing the amount of financial help, and customers can expect to pay more for their coverage this year,” said James Michel, CEO of AHCT.  “While some of the financial help is expiring, not all financial help is going away.  It’s important to know that financial assistance is still available.”

According to AHCT, approximately 90% of the more than 150,000 residents currently enrolled in Qualified Health Plans (QHP) receive financial help.  According to an AHCT letter sent to customers in October, if the subsidies lapse at the end of December, more than 135,000 Connecticut customers — those who receive enhanced subsidies — will lose at least some financial support.  Nearly 28,000 of these enrollees receiving premium tax credits — those earning above 400% of the federal poverty level — will no longer qualify for any financial assistance.  Overall, exchange customers could expect to pay an average of $1,700 more for their health insurance in 2026, and some will see a nearly $3,000 increase. 

AHCT remains the only place Connecticut residents can get financial help to pay for their health insurance.  Some customers might also qualify for the Covered CT Program.  This program provides no-cost insurance for eligible residents.

Governor Ned Lamont, Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves, Comptroller Sean Scanlon, and Michel have urged Access Health CT customers to wait for clarity on the subsidies or until December before deciding whether to enroll in a 2026 plan.  Connecticut officials, lawmakers, and healthcare leaders continue to advocate for Congress to reach a resolution that protects Americans from soaring healthcare costs.

Enhanced premium tax credits were introduced in 2021 under the American Rescue Plan and later extended through the end of 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act.  The enhanced tax credits both increased the amount of financial assistance already eligible ACA Marketplace enrollees received as well as made middle-income enrollees with income above 400% of federal poverty guidelines newly eligible for subsidies.