by Staff Report
HARTFORD, CT — Access Health CT, Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, has extended the final deadline to enroll in a health or dental plan for 2026 to Saturday, Jan. 31. The original deadline was Jan. 15.
Customers who enroll now will have coverage starting Feb. 1. Customers can also renew their coverage.
Recent state and federal changes mean the amount of financial help available and who is eligible have changed, officials said. However, financial assistance is still available.
Access Health CT is working with state officials on a plan to implement the new state subsidy program that will lower costs for eligible Connecticut residents who purchase their health insurance through the exchange, officials said.
Some customers might qualify for new state subsidies or other low- or no-cost coverage options, including the Covered CT Program or HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program.
The state subsidies will fully fund the expired enhanced premium tax credit amounts for consumers with incomes between 100-200% of the federal poverty level — currently $15,650 for an individual and $32,150 for a four-person household — and who are not enrolled in the Covered CT program.
The state subsidies will also replace 50% of the expired enhanced premium tax credit amounts for those with income over 400% of the federal poverty level and up to 500% of the federal poverty level.
“We want all customers to understand their coverage options and to see if they qualify for help paying for their health insurance,” said Access Health CT Chief Executive Officer James Michel. “This extension gives Connecticut residents a bit more time to do just that. We’re here to help customers get the coverage they need, whether online, in person or over the phone. Customers can even work with a Certified Broker in their area for free.”
Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them, including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site or attending an enrollment fair.
Access Health has expanded its Navigator program to include six locations around the state and introduced a new mobile enrollment team that supports community events and assists with in-person enrollment, available in English and Spanish.
To get help over the phone, customers can call 1-855-805-4325.
From Jan. 2 through Jan. 15, the call center will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Starting Jan. 16 through Jan. 30, the call center will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Help is available in over 100 languages.
The call center will be open from 8 a.m. to midnight Jan. 31, 2026.
Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator. For free help online, customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com. They can also chat live with a customer service representative by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.