WEEKLY UPDATE: 06/04/26
The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) and Access Health CT (AHCT) will join the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) for a free educational webinar on upcoming Medicaid eligibility changes that will affect HUSKY D beneficiaries, including new work rules and related federal policy updates.
This webinar, which will be held on Monday, June 22, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., is intended for hospitals, healthcare providers, and community-based organizations supporting individuals who may be impacted by these changes.
Participants will receive an overview of the new HUSKY D eligibility requirements and work rules scheduled to take effect in January 2027 and learn about the potential implications for patient coverage. The webinar will also highlight early strategies for outreach and education to help eligible individuals maintain coverage and successfully navigate the evolving Medicaid landscape.
Attendees will leave with practical information, key resources, and a clearer understanding of how healthcare providers and community organizations can begin raising awareness and preparing now to help individuals maintain their health coverage and access to care.
There is no fee to attend; registration is required. To register online, click here.
New HUSKY D Messaging and Planning Materials
CHA is hosting the webinar as part of collaborative statewide efforts to equip hospitals, healthcare providers, and community partners with tools and knowledge. CHA has published a webpage (linked here) to house several recently developed resources, including the HUSKY D Messaging Starter Kit and the Keep Your Health Coverage Coalition Playbook.
- HUSKY D Messaging Starter Kit: comprises provider-facing guides for staff education and patient communications, as well as ready-to-use, printable patient-facing flyers and posters for distribution and display. Patient-facing materials are also now available in Spanish.
- Keep Your Health Coverage Coalition Playbook: designed to give hospitals and community partners a practical starting structure for organizing local readiness work, including the formation and coordination of local coalitions.
Federal Guidance Released on Medicaid/HUSKY D Eligibility Changes
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released new materials related to H.R. 1, including an interim final rule with comment period (CMS-2454-IFC) and a summary landing page outlining key provisions affecting Medicaid eligibility, including HUSKY D.
Key federal resources:
- CMS landing page on new Interim Final Rule
- Federal register landing page with announcement
- Interim Final Rule – PDF
CHA is currently reviewing the information to assess implications for Connecticut, including eligibility and operational processes. While the guidance provides additional clarity on the implementation of new eligibility and work requirements, some elements will require further interpretation and alignment with state policy.
Related News:
HUSKY D Medicaid Changes: New Messaging Materials To Support Early Outreach and Education
