Affordable Health Insurance
Affordable Health Insurance
According to America’s Health Rankings, Connecticut ranks 7th in the nation in terms of percentage of population lacking health insurance, with 9.7% of its population lacking health insurance.
Connecticut’s health insurance companies determine rates for individual insurance policies based on geographical location, age, medical history and other rating factors. Individual insurance policies are subject to medical underwriting and can deny coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions for 12 months.
When do you need to buy individual Connecticut Health Insurance?
One needs to pursue individual health insurance if all of the following are true:
a) If your employer does not offer health insurance benefits
b) If you cannot be named as a dependent on another person’s insurance policy
c) If you are not a member of a professional or a trade organization that offers health insurance
Types of Health Insurance in Connecticut
a) Indemnity Policies (Traditional Fee for Service Health Insurance)
Indemnity Policies offer tremendous freedom with respect to choice; one is free to visit any provider in Connecticut for covered medical services.
b) Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
A Preferred Provider Organization provides a list of contracted providers; one receives the best services at the lowest cost if one restricts oneself to the limited list of providers in Connecticut for their health insurance needs.
c) Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs or Managed Care)
HMOs require members to obtain their medical services from doctors and hospitals affiliated with the particular HMO in Connecticut for their health insurance needs.
d) Self-Insured Health Plans
Large employers in Connecticut often have self-insured health insurance plans where all contributing employees pool in their contributions to pay for the medical services for the members of the plan.
Connecticut Health Reinsurance Association
The Connecticut Health Reinsurance Association (HRA) was created by the Connecticut Health Care Act of 1975, and it provides health insurance coverage to individuals who have been rejected for individual policies because of pre-existing health conditions.
Connecticut’s HealthCare for Uninsured Kids and Youth (HUSKY)
The HUSKY Plan provides for health insurance for uninsured children and teenagers up to age 19, with no regards to family income. The HUSKY program pays for doctor visits, prescriptions, vision and dental care, and much more.
Connecticut-COBRA
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is federal law that extends one’s current group health insurance under certain qualifying events such as termination of employment or reduction of hours to part-time status. To be eligible for COBRA, the employer needs to have more than 20 employees.
Connecticut has a mini COBRA law that provides COBRA provisions for employers less than 20 employees which provides coverage under certain qualifying events such as termination of employment to employees for the same period required for larger employers under federal regulations.
Georgetown University’s guide to Health Insurance in Connecticut
Georgetown’s Health Policy Institute has researched and written state guides for buying affordable health insurance in every state.
US News Rankings for best commercially-available health plans. Rankings reflect member satisfaction and success in preventing and treating illness compared with other commercial plans. The highest possible score is 100.
Health Care Advocacy Groups in Connecticut
The Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut
Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to achieve a quality health care system that is affordable and available for everyone in the state.
Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities
The Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities is a non-profit organization which represents health care facilities which provide long-term care and assisted living services to 14,000 citizens of Connecticut.