Access Health CT Adds Special Enrollment Period For New State Subsidy

HARTFORD, CT — Access Health CT, Connecticut's health insurance marketplace, will offer a Special Enrollment Period for eligible customers to enroll in health coverage with a new state subsidy applied starting Feb. 1.

"Time is of the essence," Gov. Ned Lamont said in a news release. "If you need coverage, now is the moment to enroll."

The Special Enrollment Period is separate from the Open Enrollment Period, which ends Jan. 31. The end date for the Special Enrollment Period has not yet been set.

Federal subsidies toward those enrolled in the Affordable Care Act expired Dec. 31, 2025, and Congress failed to renew subsidies for 2026, meaning millions of people across the country and several hundred thousand in Connecticut saw their health insurance costs skyrocket for 2026.

"Connecticut will not let politics in Washington jeopardize the health and financial security of our residents," Lamont said. "That's why we acted quickly to backstop the Covered CT program to continue to provide fully subsidized coverage for working families just above Medicaid eligibility and create a new state subsidy."

The Special Enrollment Period gives Connecticut residents more time to weigh their options and enroll in the coverage they need to live long, healthy lives, said Access Health CT Chief Executive Officer James Michel.

Customers who qualify for this Special Enrollment Period include:

* Households with an annual income between 100% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level who are not already enrolled in the Covered CT Program. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 100% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.

* Households with an annual income over 400% and up to 500% of the Federal Poverty Level. These customers will receive a state subsidy to replace 50% of the expired federal enhanced premium tax credit amounts.

Eligible customers who have already enrolled or plan to enroll in a health plan for 2026 will see a credit applied through their carrier bill, Access Health officials said.

"It's important to note that while customers will not see the state subsidy amount in AHCT's online system until all updates have been made in the coming weeks, all eligible customers will soon receive a notice in the mail from AHCT with the amount of their state subsidy," the agency said. "Insurance companies will send consumers updated premium bills with the credit for the state subsidy amount."

Customers who need help can visit the Access Health website or call 1-855-805-4325 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator. A live chat is also available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.