New State HUSKY A and HUSKY B for Children Health Coverage

FAQs

  • What are State HUSKY A and State HUSKY B?
    Answer:

    These programs provide access to quality and affordable health care for children ages 0-15 (through age 18 if enrolled before age 16) who do not qualify for HUSKY A Medicaid and HUSKY B CHIP due to their immigration status.

  • Who is eligible?
    Answer:

    Children must:

    • Be aged 0-15 (coverage is available through age 18 if enrolled before age 16);
    • Be a non-citizen who does not qualify for HUSKY A Medicaid or HUSKY B CHIP due to immigration status;
    • Does not have access to affordable insurance
    • Have a household income:
    • up to 201% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for HUSKY A
    • above 201% up to 254% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for HUSKY B Band 1
    • above 254% up to 323% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for HUSKY B Band 2
  • Is coverage available to children over 15 years old?
    Answer:

    If a child was enrolled in the program prior to age 16, they may be eligible for coverage through the age of 18.

  • How much does the coverage cost?
    Answer:

    For children who qualify for State HUSKY A, coverage is free. There is no premium (monthly charge) and there are no copayments or other cost sharing. Children enrolled in State HUSKY A will receive the same level of benefits as a HUSKY A Medicaid enrollee.

    For children who qualify for State HUSKY B Band 1, there is no premium, but there may be small copayments. For children who qualify for State HUSKY B Band 2, there is a monthly premium of either $30 for one child or $50 for two or more children. There are small copayments for non-routine services and some other cost sharing. For more information on HUSKY Health benefits, visit https://portal.ct.gov/HUSKY/Benefit-Overview.

  • How do I apply?
    Answer:

    There are several easy ways to apply:

    • Phone: 1‐855‐805‐4325
    • If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may use TTY at 1‐855‐789‐2428 or call with a relay operator
    • Mail: Request a paper application be mailed to you from Access Health CT at 1-855-805-4325
    • In Person: By visiting one of the DSS Field Office Locations

    We strongly encourage you to apply over the phone in order to get an immediate decision about qualifying for the program.

  • What information do I need to provide to enroll?
    Answer:

    Children who do not have an immigration status that qualifies them for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance program (CHIP), HUSKY Health, may enroll in State HUSKY A or State HUSKY B.  At application, families will need to provide children’s’ Names, Dates of Birth, family income amounts, household income amounts, frequency, and source.  If qualifying, enrollment will be immediate for at least 90 days.  Income verification may be requested during that time.  Verifications or proofs such as pay stubs or a letter from an employer, will be requested to continue enrollment. Please note, if a child does not have an immigration status that qualifies them for Medicaid or CHIP, additional immigration verification documents are not required for this child.

    As a reminder, many children are in families with both citizens and non-citizens and therefore, application requirements and verifications may vary according to individual and family situation. 

  • Does this program affect my ability to apply for citizenship?
    Answer:

    No. Enrollment in State HUSKY A or State HUSKY B will not affect an individual’s application for citizenship. In addition, DSS does not report information to Immigration Services or the Department of Homeland Security.

    Click below to access more information on the official Department of Homeland Security statement:

    https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/03/09/dhs-statement-litigation-related-public-charge-ground-inadmissibility

  • What is public charge?
    Answer:

    Public charge refers to costs incurred by governments for individuals who become primarily dependent upon its programs and services for subsistence.  In particular, this is currently defined as cash assistance or institutionalization for long term care.  This does not include Emergency Medicaid or other Medical programs.

     

    Application to or enrollment in a medical program is not a ‘public charge’ and does not affect admissibility to the US or the ability of an individual seeking to change their status to that of Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).