By Trish Pearson
Insuring Your Future
Trish Pearson
The HUSKY insurance program, Connecticut’s version of Medicaid, is for children and adults under the age of 65 whose income is below a certain level. During the pandemic many people lost their jobs or worked reduced hours, and as a result their income decreased dramatically. Many folks qualified for HUSKY insurance coverage.
Normally people on this plan are required to show proof of income on an annual basis – usually close to the anniversary of the month they enrolled. Because the economic climate remained poor, HUSKY did not require that those in the program update their income for the past two years.
During that period many people returned to their previous jobs or gained employment, thereby increasing their annual income. Since the state did not request verification of income, many people who did not receive benefits through an employer remained on the HUSKY plan.
Once the public health emergency is over, (most likely in the fall), HUSKY will again request enrollees to confirm their income status. This could result in a change in eligibility for many. If a person is no longer eligible, there are options that have been put in place to provide affordable and comprehensive health insurance.
Each individual will be eligible for a special enrollment period of 60 days when they can choose a new plan on Access Health CT, the state health exchange. Connecticut has created a transition program called Covered Connecticut will enable people to enroll in a silver level plan through either of the carriers that offer insurance on the exchange at very low or zero premiums. This program is designed to provide a “bridge” to the new plan without creating a financial hardship.
If a person who is on HUSKY is no longer eligible, they will have at least one month to choose a new insurance plan. It is quite likely that they will be eligible for an advanced premium tax credit, which will reduce the monthly premium and still provide comprehensive coverage. If this occurs, seek help from a certified broker who can assist with choosing the best plan as well as the application process.
Going without health insurance should not be an option. The risk of financial disaster in the event of an unexpected medical situation is great. Even non-emergencies can be expensive-but-necessary expenses. Also, HUSKY will not penalize those whose income increased within the past year. All eligibility is determined on a going forward basis.
Thank you to everyone who voted for me in the Milford Chamber “Best of “ category for insurance brokers. It was an honor to be nominated and I appreciate the confidence and trust that people place in me. It is a responsibility that I take very seriously. Enjoy the rest of the summer; stay safe and don’t forget to wear sunscreen.