Special Enrollment Period
A Special Enrollment Period is a time outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health and/or dental insurance through Access Health CT. To qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you must prove that you have a Qualifying Life Event. If you have a Qualifying Life Event, your Special Enrollment Period will generally last 60 days from the date of the event. If you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or if you are an American Indian or Alaska Native, you can enroll in coverage any time of the year.
Other opportunities to enroll:
Common Qualifying Life Events
Qualifying Life Events open a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in health and/or dental insurance any time of year. Typically, you have 60 days from the date of your Qualifying Life Event to enroll in coverage. You will also be required to verify your Qualifying Life Event in order for your coverage to begin.
Common Qualifying Life Events (QLEs) include:
Losing coverage through your employer or certain changes to employer contributions to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSERA), including a gain of either one.
Exhaustion of COBRA coverage. Voluntary termination of COBRA coverage does not qualify as a QLE.
Losing your coverage due to job change. Voluntary cancellation of coverage or termination by the insurer due to non-payment of monthly payments (premiums) does not qualify as a QLE.
Losing coverage through your spouse or parent. Be sure to know when the policy will end in order to understand the best time to enroll.
Click here to see a full list of Qualifying Life Events.
Enrollment Checklist:
What you need to complete an application
Have this information for yourself and anyone in your household applying for coverage:
• Dates of Birth
• Social Security numbers
• Visa, Green Card or immigration documents
• Most recent Form W-2 and/or Form 1040 or Form 1099
• Current insurance coverage
• Paystubs, Profit & Loss statements, or other employment information to confirm income for everyone in your tax household
Frequently Asked Questions: Special Enrollment Period
1. What is the Inflation Reduction Act?
Federal and state laws have made health insurance coverage more affordable. As a result of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), more people qualify for financial help than ever before, even those who didn’t qualify in the past. Connecticut residents who purchase health insurance through Access Health CT will continue to receive enhanced subsidies to help pay for the cost of their monthly health insurance payments, thanks to the IRA. This financial help is now extended through Plan Year 2025.
2. What is a Special Enrollment Period?
A Special Enrollment Period is a special window of time during the year when you can enroll in health and/or dental insurance coverage through Access Health CT. To be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, you must prove that you have a Qualifying Life Event — and you typically will have 60 days from the date of the Event to enroll in coverage through Access Health CT. Please note that if you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, or if you are an American Indian or Alaska Native, you can enroll any time of year.
3. What is a Qualifying Life Event?
A change in your life — like losing health coverage, getting married, having a baby, or moving to Connecticut — that can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to enroll in health and/or dental insurance outside of the yearly Open Enrollment Period. Click here to see a full list of Qualifying Life Events.
4. When will my coverage begin?
You will need to verify your Qualifying Life Event in order for your coverage to begin. Your coverage start date will depend on the type of Qualifying Life Event you have. Coverage typically begins on the first of the month following enrollment.
5. How to provide Special Enrollment Verification: Proof of Your Qualifying Life Event
Once you’ve selected a plan, you will be asked to send proof of your Qualifying Life Event within 30 days. We have to verify that information before your application can be processed. After you enroll, we may also ask for proof of other information in your application, such as your annual income or identity. Make sure that you respond to our requests for documents or information!
6. How do I start an application?
- Online at AccessHealthCT.com
- By Phone at 1-855-805-4325 (If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may use the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or contact us at 1-855-805-4325 with a relay operator)
- In Person
Latest from the blog
Open Enrollment Is Here: Your Guide to Finding Coverage
It's that time of year. Open Enrollment for health and dental coverage through Access Health CT (AHCT) kicks off November 1. This is your opportunity to shop, compare and enroll in health or dental coverage or change your current health or dental plan for 2025....
Five Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Health Plan
This year, Access Health CT has 22 health plans from high-quality insurance carriers to choose from, categorized by metal level. You can select a plan that best meets your health needs and fits your financial situation. With so many choices, it is important to know...
How to Renew Your Coverage During Open Enrollment
If you’re enrolled in health or dental coverage through Access Health CT, you can renew your coverage during Open Enrollment beginning November 1. Renewing your coverage during Open Enrollment is the best way to ensure you will continue to have the coverage you and...
Ten Essential Health Benefits Are Included in Every Plan
All health plans offered through Access Health CT provide coverage for ten Essential Health Benefits. This means our coverage options include preventive services, emergency room visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs, mental health services and more. These...
Consider Using a Certified Broker for Help
Across Connecticut, there are more than 650 independent insurance brokers who are trained and certified by Access Health CT. They’re ready to help you — for free — with just about anything related to getting health or dental coverage. In fact, nearly half of the...
Getting Started with Access Health CT: Create an Online Account
If you’re considering applying for health or dental coverage through Access Health CT, the first thing you should do is create an online account. That will make it easier to manage your application process and your coverage once you enroll.How to create an account...