Medicaid Unwinding in Connecticut: What You Need to Know
Key takeaways:
Medicaid in Connecticut is changing because of the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023. This is called the unwinding of Medicaid, and some people will lose coverage during this process.
Medicaid renewals were automatic during the PHE and enrollees had continuous coverage. With the unwinding, automatic renewals for Medicaid and Children’s Medicaid (CHIP) will end nationwide on March 31, 2023.
Connecticut has started to determine which enrollees are still eligible for coverage. If you no longer qualify for Medicaid, you could lose coverage as early as May 1, 2023.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 in January 2020 and renewed it a dozen times through February 2023.
Medicaid renewal became automatic during the PHE, and states were required to provide continuous coverage. If you were a Medicaid enrollee during the PHE, chances are you kept your health insurance.
Continuous coverage stops nationwide on March 31, 2023, when the PHE ends. However, each state has its own approach to discontinuing automatic enrollment. In Connecticut, you could lose coverage as early as May 1, 2023 if you are no longer eligible.
Prescription Savings Are Just the Beginning
See what other benefits you qualify for—from cashback cards to cheaper insurance.
It’s important to make sure Connecticut’s Medicaid program — Husky Health — has your current contact information. That way, you’ll receive any notices related to your potential renewal.
Why is Medicaid changing nationwide?
After the PHE ends, COVID-19 will remain a public health priority — but not an emergency. As part of this process, Medicaid renewals will no longer be automatic. This is being referred to as the unwinding of Medicaid, and millions of people nationwide risk losing Medicaid coverage.
The unwinding will affect Medicaid in every state, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories.
What’s happening with Medicaid renewal in Connecticut?
Connecticut will resume Medicaid eligibility reviews through a process called redetermination. The state expects this process to take a year.
The state estimates that around 108,000 people in Connecticut could lose Medicaid or Children’s Medicaid (CHIP) coverage due to the unwinding. If you are deemed ineligible, you could be dropped from the program as early as May 1, 2023.
Depending on your situation, you may qualify for “passive renewal.” This means your Medicaid coverage will be automatically renewed using information from the IRS and the Connecticut Department of Labor. This will happen 60 days before your coverage is set to expire.
Read more like this
Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.
If the passive renewal is successful, you won’t have to do anything to keep your coverage and you will be notified of the renewal decision.
If the passive renewal is unsuccessful, you will need to wait until you receive your renewal notice to do anything. Once you have it, you will have 45 days to complete the renewal process by providing current information. It’s important to act quickly and provide any required documents to prevent a gap in healthcare coverage.
The fastest way to reapply for Medicaid coverage — also known as Husky A, B, and D in Connecticut — is online at Access Health CT. Once you’ve submitted your renewal application, you’ll be notified about whether you’re eligible for renewed coverage or, possibly, a different program.
Make sure your contact information is current on Access Health CT, where you can also sign up for email and text message updates.
What should I do if I lose my Medicaid coverage in Connecticut?
Several factors can affect your eligibility for Connecticut Medicaid, such as your income and whether you have a qualifying disability. But even if you’re eligible, you still risk losing coverage if:
You’ve moved out of Connecticut.
You haven’t updated your contact information.
You don’t speak or read English well or have a condition that keeps you from reapplying. (Representatives who speak English and Spanish are available to help you. If you speak another language, Husky Health can provide a translator for you.)
Some Connecticut Medicaid enrollees have a greater risk of losing coverage than others. This includes those whose income has increased beyond the eligibility limits.
Most people who lose Medicaid due to the unwinding could end up without health insurance for all or part of the next year. If you or someone in your household loses Medicaid or CHIP coverage, you should consider low-cost or free healthcare options. You can also use GoodRx coupons to save money on your prescription medications.
If you believe you still qualify, it might be a good idea to reapply for Medicaid. But if you don’t plan to reapply, you can see if you qualify for a different healthcare plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for health insurance with one of these options:
Affordable Care Act marketplace: Through the state’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange, Access Health CT, you may be able to find coverage for $10 or less per month if you qualify for a premium subsidy. Losing your Medicaid coverage will trigger an special enrollment period that will last from March 31, 2023 to July 31, 2024. This gives you a chance to purchase an insurance plan on the ACA marketplace.
Covered Connecticut: This is a no-cost state insurance program offered to residents who have limited incomes, but are not eligible for Medicaid.
Employer plan: You may now have a job that offers employer-sponsored insurance.
Medicare: If you have a qualifying disability or condition — such as end-stage renal disease or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease) — you can enroll in Medicare at any age.
Partner’s plan: If you have a spouse or domestic partner who has insurance, you may be able to join their plan during an open enrollment or special enrollment period.
Special plans: Short-term insurance can be a great choice if you anticipate a better option, like job-based health insurance, to be available soon. You may also consider alternative and limited-benefit plans, such as fixed indemnity, accident, cost-sharing, and catastrophic insurance plans.
Student health plan: If you’re enrolled in a college or university, you may be eligible for a campus health plan.
Veterans Affairs: If you are an active-duty service member or a veteran, you may qualify for TRICARE coverage or Veterans Affairs benefits and services.
Connecticut Medicaid resources
Here are some places where you can learn more about Medicaid in Connecticut:
Connecticut Medicaid office: Head to The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) website to get more information about Husky Health, the state’s Medicaid program.
Connecticut Medicaid self-service portal: You can log in to your Medicaid account 24/7 through MyDSS to learn more about Medicaid and CHIP renewal.
Updating your contact information: Visit the MyDSS portal to make sure your mailing address, email, cell number, and other contact information is correct.
Connecticut Medicaid hotline: Call 855-626-6632 for help in English or Spanish. (If you speak another language, Husky Health can provide a translator for you.)
Frequently asked questions about Medicaid and CHIP renewals: Get the answers to frequently asked questions about Connecticut’s process.
The bottom line
The end of the COVID public health emergency will bring changes to Medicaid programs nationwide. If anyone in your household is currently enrolled in a Connecticut Medicaid or Children’s Medicaid (CHIP) program, you could lose coverage as early as May 1, 2023.
Make sure your contact information is current with the state. They may be trying to reach you to determine if you still qualify for Medicaid. You will receive a renewal notice 45 days before your coverage is set to end if the state needs more information to review your case. You may qualify for passive renewal — which means you won’t have to do anything to retain coverage.
If the Medicaid unwinding does cause you to lose coverage, you may be eligible for a low-cost Affordable Care Act plan, employer-based insurance, or short-term coverage.
Why trust our experts?
References
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. (2020). Determination that a public health emergency exists.
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. (2023). Renewal of determination that a public health emergency exists.
Connecticut Department of Social Services. (n.d.). Connecticut Department of Social Services and Access Health CT announce plan for Medicaid unwinding. Access Health CT.
Connecticut Department of Social Services. (2023). Public health emergency (PHE) unwinding. Husky Health Connecticut.
Connecticut Department of Social Services. (2023). Public health emergency unwinding.
CT.gov. (n.d.). Husky Health for Connecticut children and adults. Husky Health Connecticut.
Ct.gov. (n.d.). Medicaid and CHIP. Connecticut State Office of the Healthcare Advocate.
Golvala, K. (2023). Medicaid is ‘unwinding’ in Connecticut. Here’s what you need to know. The Connecticut Mirror.
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2023). As states prepare to ‘unwind’ the Medicaid continuous enrollment provision, past patterns show that most people who are disenrolled from Medicaid become uninsured for all or part of the next 12 months.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Unwinding and returning to regular operations after COVID-19.
Medicaid.gov. (2023). Anticipated 2023 state timelines for initiating unwinding-related renewals as of February 24, 2023.
Tolbert, J., et al. (2023). 10 things to know about the unwinding of the Medicaid continuous enrollment provision. Kaiser Family Foundation.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022). VA /DoD health affairs.
