WEEKLY UPDATE: 10/22/26
Community Coalitions Protecting HUSKY D Coverage
The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) continues to advance its statewide strategy to protect HUSKY D coverage through coordinated workstreams that align state policy monitoring, hospital operational readiness, and local community implementation. Connecticut hospitals and their community partners have launched or are working to develop Keep Your Health Coverage coalitions in 21 communities across the state, raising awareness about federal Medicaid eligibility changes and new work rules taking effect January 1, 2027.
To support the formation and coordination of these local coalitions, CHA has developed the Keep Your Health Coverage Coalition Playbook, a guide designed to give hospitals and community partners a practical starting structure for organizing local readiness work. Informed by the playbook’s complementary HUSKY D Work Rules Outreach and Education Guide, coalitions are encouraged to disseminate broadly CHA’s HUSKY D Messaging Starter Kit Materials, comprising member-facing printable resources, including a fact sheet, flowchart, poster, social media graphics, and text message template. All starter kit materials are available in in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Current and future CHA HUSKY D messaging materials and coalition resources are available for download at cthosp.org/huskyd.
‘Let’s Work Together’ Statewide Campaign
At the October 8 Medical Assistance Program Oversight Council (MAPOC) meeting, the Department of Social Services (DSS) provided an update on its statewide Let’s Work Together campaign to promote public awareness and education.
DSS reported that the state has 10 billboards in communities with the highest volume of HUSKY D members, initiated community outreach efforts to socialize changes at events and festivals, and launched a digital media campaign through television, radio, social media, and streaming channels. The campaign drives audiences to MedicaidMattersCT.org, a new website designed to explain the upcoming HUSKY Health program changes and who is impacted, with links to resources, including the HUSKY D prescreener tool. DSS said, as of October 8, 135,000 people have viewed the HUSKY D prescreener.
Access Health CT Eligibility System Preview
Also at the October 8 MAPOC meeting, DSS previewed the state’s online eligibility system under development, which will be built into the Access Health CT website. Through the interface, HUSKY D members can report income and/or qualifying activities that count toward the monthly work requirement, including job training, community service or volunteering, and school.
DSS highlighted a feature that enables connections to employer or payroll provider databases, allowing the system to automatically upload and verify pay information and work activity.
In addition to the online self-service platform, DSS will continue to accept applications and process coverage renewals over the phone, via mail, and in-person at local DSS resource centers.
Overview of Medicaid Eligibility Changes
Starting January 1, 2027, HUSKY D members aged 19 to 64 who do not qualify for an exemption to the new work requirements will need to meet and show proof of satisfying at least one of the following to maintain HUSKY D coverage:
- $580+ per month income
- 80 hours per month of qualifying unpaid work, community service or volunteering, job training, education (enrolled in school at least half-time), or a combination totaling 80 hours
Certain individuals are exempt from the requirement, including those who are disabled or medically frail, pregnant or in a postpartum period, parents and caretakers of children under 14 years of age or people with disabilities, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and certain others. The federal changes also require HUSKY D members to renew their coverage every six months, instead of once a year.
According to DSS, all HUSKY D members have received an initial awareness notification via text message, email, and/or printed notice. The state has started and will continue training the workforce to help members navigate application, renewal, compliance, and documentation processes.
Related News:
New Resources To Help Connecticut Caregivers Keep HUSKY D Coverage
Federal Medicaid Work Requirements: Governor Touts Statewide Efforts To Protect HUSKY D Coverage
New HUSKY D Outreach and Education Guide and Updated Messaging Starter Kit Materials
