Access Health CT Open Enrollment Underway

Connecticut residents can now shop for health and dental plans on the state’s health insurance marketplace, Access Health CT, for coverage in 2027. Open enrollment runs from October 23, 2026, through January 15, 2027, giving individuals and families an opportunity to review their coverage, compare plans, and determine whether they qualify for financial assistance.

The date a customer enrolls determines when their insurance starts. Those who enroll by December 15, 2026, will have coverage effective January 1, 2027. Those who enroll between December 16, 2026, and January 15, 2027, will have coverage effective February 1, 2027.

Connecticut Extends Temporary Premium Assistance Following Expiration of Enhanced Federal Subsidies

During the 2026 enrollment period, Connecticut earmarked funds from the Emergency State Response Reserve for Temporary Premium Assistance. The one-year stopgap plan was designed to preserve financial assistance for certain residents who lost federal enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs), after the expanded COVID-era Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies expired in December 2025.

Connecticut has extended Temporary Premium Assistance into 2027, allowing individuals who qualified in 2026 to continue receiving assistance if they remain eligible.

Households with an annual income 100-200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), who are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program, will receive financial help to replace 100% of the expired enhanced premium tax credits. Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% of the FPL will receive financial help to replace half of the expired federal subsidies.
In 2026, the federal poverty level was an annual income of $15,960 for an individual and $33,000 for a family of four.

Early Childhood Educators Health Insurance Subsidy

Eligible early childhood education professionals can now apply for a new subsidy to help lower health insurance premiums for plans purchased through Access Health CT.

The Early Childhood Educators (ECE) subsidy offers eligible early childhood educators/employees — educators and staff employed by licensed childcare centers or operating licensed family childcare homes — $1,000 to $1,200 per year. An actuarial study prepared for Access Health CT modeled potential enrollment of approximately 7,200 to 8,800 early childhood workers, with a baseline scenario of 8,000 participants. This new financial help may be combined with other applicable federal and state premium assistance. However, individuals eligible for Covered CT or HUSKY Health (Medicaid) are not eligible for the ECE subsidy. Applicants must register with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) Professional Registry before applying through Access Health CT.

The $10 million in funding for the healthcare benefit will pull from the Early Childhood Education Endowment, which was established by a 2025 state law and is overseen by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC).

Related News:

Governor Earmarks More Emergency Reserve Funding for Health and Human Services

State Update on Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange Subsidies

Connecticut Health Insurance Marketplace Extends Open Enrollment to January 31

Federal Government Shutdown: Access Health CT Open Enrollment Begins