Medicaid and CHIP Services HUSKY Health For Connecticut Children & Adults

**The Covered Connecticut Program may provide free health coverage if you don’t qualify for HUSKY Health/Medicaid. Please visit Covered Connecticut Program for more information.

**Update Us so we can Update You!  Don’t miss important communications regarding your benefits. Visit Update Us (ct.gov) to update your address and phone number information online now!

**Special COVID-19 information & resources for HUSKY Health members, including the Nurse Helpline, and for HUSKY Health providers.

**Has your HUSKY Health coverage been extended during COVID-19?  For current information about your benefits, visit: ct.gov/phe

Special Information and resources for HUSKY Health members about coronavirus (COVID-19)

**NEW/UPDATED!  Information about getting vaccinated for protection against COVID-19(free of charge for HUSKY Health/Medicaid members)--Connecticut COVID-19 Vaccine Portal

For information about COVID-19 booster vaccinations:  Who Is Eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot? | CDC. 

Special information about Pfizer vaccine booster dose (free of charge for HUSKY Health/Medicaid members):

On September 22, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended of the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to allow for use of a single booster dose to be administered at least six months after completion of the primary series for:

  • individuals 65 years of age and older;
  • individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19; and 
  • individuals 18 through 64 years of age whose frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 puts them at high risk of serious complications of COVID-19 including severe COVID-19.

More information on the FDA’s authorization can be found here.

Additionally, on September 24, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended:

  • people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
  • people aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
  • people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
  • people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.

More information on the CDC’s recommendations can be found here.

In accordance with the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, nearly all Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries receive coverage of COVID-19 vaccines and their administration, including these boosters, without cost-sharing (free of charge).

***

HUSKY Health members are advised of the following:

  • If you have general questions about COVID-19, but do not have symptoms:
  • The State of Connecticut has set up a coronavirus information website at ct.gov/coronavirus.  This is an excellent and comprehensive resource.
  • The State and United Way of Connecticut have launched an information hotline for questions from the public regarding issues related to COVID-19. People who have questions can call 2-1-1 or text “CTCOVID” to 898211
  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath):
    • We strongly urge you to contact your primary care provider to seek treatment.  HUSKY Health primary care providers are now authorized to schedule and conduct visits with you by telephone or videoconference.
    • If you do not have a primary care provider, please call the HUSKY Health line at 1.800.859.9889 or access the online provider look-up at the following link: https://www.huskyhealthct.org/provider_lookup.html#
    • If you would like to speak with a nurse about your symptoms, call the HUSKY Health Nurse Helpline, also at 1.800.859.9889, and follow the prompts to talk to a nurse who will answer your questions.
  • If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19 but need medical attention:
    • If it is an emergency, call 911.
    • If it is not an emergency, but you would like to speak with a nurse about a health issue, call the HUSKY Health Nurse Helpline, also at 1.800.859.9889, and follow the prompts to talk to a nurse who will answer your questions.
    • If it is not an emergency or an urgent situation, contact your primary care provider to ask for his or her guidance.  HUSKY Health primary care providers are now authorized to schedule and conduct visits with you by telephone or videoconference.
    • If you do not have a primary care provider, please call the HUSKY Health line at 1.800.859.9889 or access the online provider look-up at the following link: https://www.huskyhealthct.org/provider_lookup.html#

Connecticut HUSKY Health has made the following changes in coverage, related to COVID-19:

  • Providing COVID-19 testing coverage for uninsured children and adultsin the HUSKY Health program as part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Info at www.ct.gov/husky/covidinfoforproviders.
  • Extended coverage for Medicaid/HUSKY Health clients: Medical assistance benefits will be continued for the duration of the federally-declared public health emergency (PHE).  The federal government most recently announced a 90 day extension of the PHE through April 20, 2021.  Beneficiaries should continue to respond to Departmental requests to renew benefits and provide information to ensure that coverage is maintained for as long as legally authorized.
  • Suspension of co-payments for full benefit Medicare Part D beneficiaries who are dually eligible for Medicaid.  These beneficiaries are no longer responsible for co-payments of up to $17 per month (aggregate for all prescriptions) for their medications covered by Medicare Part D.  Instead, the Department of Social Services will cover the copayment amounts in full, after any other insurer has paid, during the public health emergency.
  • Suspension of co-payments in HUSKY B (Children’s Health Insurance Program).  The Department of Social Services will reimburse providers for the full reimbursement amount for services subject to the copayment, including the copayment amount.  This does not apply to other forms of HUSKY B cost sharing, such as monthly premiums and co-insurance and allowances for dental services.
  • Extending fills fornon-maintenance and maintenance medications for up to 90 days for Medicaid/HUSKY Health beneficiaries (except for controlled substances).
  • Allowing early refill for prescriptions when an individual has used 80% of the prescription (reduced from 93%).
  • Telemedicine in medical and behavioral health.  HUSKY members can receive medical and behavioral health services from their health care providers by audio-only telephone or videoconferencing.

Important information for uninsured Connecticut residents--HUSKY Health coverage is available year-round for those who qualify

The Department of Social Services reminds the public that applications are open year-round for HUSKY Health coverage (Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program.  Uninsured residents with low and moderate incomes are encouraged to: 

  • Apply by phone: 1-855-805-4325

Consumer information also available at www.ct.gov/husky and 1-877-CT-HUSKY (1-877-284-8759).

***

Special information and resources for HUSKY Health members about coronavirus (COVID-19)

State providing Medicaid coverage for uninsured during COVID-19 public health emergency 

The Connecticut Department of Social Services is offering COVID-19 testing coverage for uninsured children and adults in the HUSKY Health program as part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 public health emergency: 

  • Medicaid for the Uninsured/COVID-19--Uninsured state residents of any income level may be eligible for free Medicaid coverage of COVID-19 testing and testing-related provider visits, vaccines and treatment related to COVID.  This Medicaid coverage group covers both citizens and qualifying non-citizens for COVID-related services between March 18, 2020, and the end of the public health emergency.
  • Emergency Medicaid for Non-Citizens/COVID-19--Connecticut residents who meet financial eligibility requirements but do not qualify for full Medicaid due to their immigration status, including undocumented individuals, are eligible to receive Medicaid to treat an emergency medical condition.  COVID-19 testing and testing-related provider visits are emergency visits that will be covered by Emergency Medicaid.Emergency Medicaid is not a factor in federal immigration ‘public charge’ determinations. 

Application information for Medicaid for the Uninsured/COVID-19 and Emergency Medicaid for Non-Citizens/COVID-19: (Haga clic aquí para leer en Español)

To see if you can get this coverage, you will need to apply for full HUSKY Health benefits.  If you are eligible for full HUSKY Health benefits, it will include coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment.  You can begin the application process by logging in and answering questions here, or you can apply by calling Access Health CT at 1-855-805-4325.  If you are not eligible for full HUSKY benefits, we will check to see if you are eligible for COVID-19 testing coverage.  After you apply, the system may say that you are ineligible for HUSKY, but you will still be evaluated for COVID-19 testing.  You will get a notice from the Department of Social Services telling you about your COVID-19 testing coverage in a few days.

You may be eligible for the COVID-19 testing, vaccines and treatment if:

  • You have no other health insurance and you are a U.S. citizen, or you are a non-citizen with a qualifying immigration status.  Non-citizens with qualifying immigration statuses include, but are not limited to: legal permanent residents (“green card holders”) who have been in the US for at least 5 years, refugees, and asylees.  For more information about  immigration statuses, click here.

You may be eligible for COVID-19 testing if:

  • You do not have a qualifying immigration status and meet Medicaid income requirements for your household size.

We will automatically evaluate your eligibility for coverage as part of the application process.  If you have any questions, you can call 1-855-805-4325.  Click here to start the application process.

HUSKY Health is Connecticut’s public health coverage program.  HUSKY Health includes Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  HUSKY Health is administered by the Department of Social Services in partnership with Access Health CT, our state’s health insurance marketplace.  [updated 3-29-22]