#Hartford, CT – Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, Chair of the Board of Access Health CT (AHCT), and AHCT CEO Jim Wadleigh today announced that 116,019 consumers purchased healthcare coverage through Access Health CT during the 2016 Open Enrollment Period. This represents the strongest enrollment period the state has seen since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
“This is good news for Connecticut,” said Lt. Governor Wyman. “The AHCT team did a great job of reaching out to Connecticut’s uninsured—and connecting with some of the hardest residents to reach. We are very pleased to report that this our most successful open enrollment to date. It means healthier communities, a stronger, healthier risk pool, and a more productive state.”
From November 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016, AHCT enrolled a total of 116,019 Qualified Health Plan private insurance members, 20,000 of whom are brand new to the system. Working with the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), they also enrolled 258,000 residents in Medicaid, 41,000 of whom are new. Total open enrollment in 2016 was more than 374,000 people.
“Connecticut’s exchange is making a difference in the lives of residents—these numbers represent 61,000 citizens who were not previously insured and who now have access to affordable healthcare,” said CEO Wadleigh. “Our outreach efforts are help reduce the number of uninsured in Connecticut, assisting residents in learning to use their healthcare coverage, and most importantly, ensuring all of our residents get the care they need to live healthy lives.”
“Strong enrollment gains, better health outcomes, and steady cost-effectiveness in Medicaid are major factors in Connecticut’s national-leading implementation of the Affordable Care Act,” said DSS Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby. “Together with Governor Malloy, Lieutenant Governor Wyman, Access Health CT, an extensive medical provider network and many service partners, we are bringing quality health coverage to nearly 750,000 Connecticut residents in Medicaid. Medicaid enrollment is available year-round through Access Health CT and DSS.”
Customers have 90 days to submit their verification documents and 10-14 days to pay their premium invoices in order to activate their coverage. Consumers are urged to file their 2014 and 2015 taxes to ensure they keep any subsidies.
About Access Health CT
Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, is a quasi-public agency created by the Connecticut legislature in 2011 to satisfy requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act. AHCT’s mission is to increase the number of insured residents in Connecticut, promote health, lower costs, and eliminate health disparities. Connecticut residents and small business owners can compare and enroll in health care coverage and apply for tax credits for individuals through AHCT. AHCT (or the Marketplace) also coordinates eligibility and enrollment with state Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs. For more information, please visit www.AccessHealthCT.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AccessHealthCT and follow us on Twitter @AccessHealthCT.
(State of Connecticut Press Release)
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