Connecticut's Health Insurance Enrollment Hits Record High

Access Health CT, Connecticut's insurance exchange marketplace, recorded its highest enrollment numbers by January 15, largely due to expanded financial aid supporting consumers with premium costs. CEO James Michel warned that the expiration of federal legislation providing these enhanced subsidies at the year-end may hinder many individuals' access to affordable health insurance and adversely affect overall health in the state. Historically, approximately 70% of enrollees qualified for financial aid, but recent federal actions allowed more residents to access subsidies without restrictive income caps.

As of the recent open enrollment period, over 151,640 residents were enrolled in health plans, marking a significant increase as more individuals learned of available financial assistance. However, the potential discontinuation of enhanced tax credits could mean a return to stricter income eligibility, risking the loss of approximately $20 million to $40 million in aid. This may lead to exorbitant premium hikes for those currently subsidized, pushing many towards financial hardship and possibly making health insurance unaffordable for a considerable number of households in Connecticut.