WEEKLY UPDATE: 01/22/26
Connecticut officials said the system changes needed to implement the recently announced state subsidies for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans may not be ready until late March. Prices for plans on the state’s official health insurance exchange marketplace, Access Health CT (AHCT), do not reflect the discounts yet.
The Lamont administration earmarked about $115 million from the recently created $500 million Emergency State Response Reserve to replace all or some of the lost federal subsidies for eligible enrollees over the next 18 months.
AHCT “is working as quickly as possible with the state of Connecticut, the Office of Policy and Management, and the insurance companies to put these changes in place and to help Connecticut consumers,” CEO James Michel told CT Mirror.
Michel said the organization is taking several outreach steps to eliminate confusion as the open enrollment deadline, extended to January 31 for coverage effective February 1, nears. Customers who are currently enrolled, or who were enrolled last year, will begin receiving letters or emails with information about the new state subsidy plan. Brokers and program counselors are also available to provide clarity and support.
Claudio Gualtieri, a senior policy advisor at the Office of Policy and Management (OPM), said customers who qualify for state assistance may pay higher monthly premiums through the end of March, but they will be reimbursed through premium discounts later in the year.
“Access Health CT, the state, and the insurance carriers’ expectation is an individual will be able to fully maximize the savings,” Gualtieri said. “There may be a lag to make someone whole.”
Officials say they may extend open enrollment beyond the current January 31 deadline.
Related News:
U.S. House Advances Legislation To Restore Enhanced Health Insurance Exchange Subsidies
Connecticut Health Insurance Marketplace Extends Open Enrollment to January 31
