The Exchange Raises Awareness Around Differences In Health Insurance Through COBRA And Access Health CT

Access Health CT is the only way to get financial help to pay for health insurance, which may be a better, less expensive choice than COBRA

• CT residents who experience a Qualifying Life Event, like losing coverage due to job change/loss, can enroll in health insurance coverage with Access Health CT through a Special Enrollment Period at any time during the year—this is different than the New Special Enrollment Period targeting the uninsured, which ends Thursday, April 2, 2020.
• If an individual loses their job, they may have a couple of healthcare options—including COBRA continuation coverage. Make sure to check with Access Health CT before choosing COBRA coverage as people may find a better, less expensive choice for them and their family because Access Health CT is the only place where people can get financial help to pay for their health insurance.
• Customers must update their household size and income if there are changes during the year, as their financial help could change, or they may be eligible for Medicaid or CHIP/HUSKY Health coverage.

HARTFORD, Conn. (March 27, 2020)—Access Health CT (AHCT) is raising awareness for the recently unemployed about Special Enrollment Periods that allow Connecticut residents to enroll in health insurance coverage outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period (Nov. 1 – Dec. 15). Connecticut residents who experience a “Qualifying Life Event,” including loss of health insurance due to job loss, can enroll in health insurance coverage through Access Health CT and it may be a better, less expensive choice than COBRA.

“This is a really hard time for a lot of our friends, family, neighbors and community members, but we want you to know we are here to help. If you lost your health insurance coverage because you lost your job, you can enroll in a plan through Access Health CT,” said Access Health CT Chief Executive Officer, James Michel. “Losing your coverage when losing your job is called a ‘Qualifying Life Event,’ and that means you have 60 days from the date of loss of your health insurance to enroll.”

There are other Qualifying Life Events, too. Any Connecticut resident experiencing a Qualifying Life Event has 60 days from the date of the event to enroll in health insurance coverage through Access Health CT. Qualifying Life Events include loss of health insurance due to job loss or change, aging off parental health insurance plans, moving to Connecticut, getting married, having a child, adopting a child, fostering a child and more. For more information about Qualifying Life Events and Special Enrollment Periods through Access Health CT, visit Learn.AccessHealthCT.com/Special.

Access Health CT vs. COBRA coverage
Health insurance plans through Access Health CT are different than the coverage offered under COBRA. COBRA is a federal law that may allow people that are recently unemployed to temporarily keep their health insurance plan offered through their former employer.
“If you choose COBRA continuation coverage, you may have to pay 100 percent of the monthly payments called premiums,” said Michel, “including the amount that your employer used to pay as well as administrative fees. Access Health CT is the only way to get help to pay for your health insurance. That’s why it’s important that you contact us before choosing COBRA. We may offer a better, less expensive choice for you and your family.”

Updating Household Size and Income:
Access Health CT reminds customers to update their income as they or members of their household may be able to:
• Increase the financial help they qualify for or become eligible for increased cost sharing reductions to help pay for out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance amounts.
• Change to a different insurance plan in a different metal tier, that may allow them to qualify for cost sharing reductions that help pay for out of pocket expenses like deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance amounts.
• Become eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)/HUSKY Health.

Note: Be sure to report all changes to household income and size to Access Health CT within 30 days.