How To Find the Best Health Insurance in Connecticut
 Written by Preston Micalizio Preston MicalizioPreston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing ... Read more |  Edited by Dan MarticioDan MarticioDan Marticio is the content manager at SmartFinancial and has written 150+ articles across multiple insurance verticals.... Read more |
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By shopping around from several carriers, you can find the best Connecticut health insurance plan that fits your needs and budget. Comparing prices is critical because health insurance in the "Constitution" State can be much more expensive than the national average, and knowing your choices can help you lower your premium.
Continue reading to learn about health insurance in Connecticut, including the cheapest plans, their cost in some of the state's biggest cities and the different kinds of health care available.
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Key Takeaways
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On This Page
Is Health Insurance Required in Connecticut?
Connecticut Health Insurance Rankings
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Connecticut?
What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Connecticut by City?
Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Connecticut?
When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Connecticut?
What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Connecticut?
How To Get Health Insurance in Connecticut
FAQs
Is Health Insurance Required in Connecticut?
As of the 2018 tax year, Connecticut residents will not be penalized if they do not have health insurance.[1] Previously, American taxpayers who didn't sign up for a health insurance plan that covered minimum essential health benefits were hit with a federal tax penalty under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but this penalty has since been reduced to $0.[2]
Connecticut Health Insurance Rankings
The Commonwealth Fund ranked Connecticut sixth out of 51 in a state-by-state analysis that took a holistic look at the health care systems in each U.S. state and Washington, D.C. Connecticut ranked 40th in avoidable hospital use and cost but fifth, the state’s highest score, in reproductive and women’s health. When considering all metrics, the state ranked fifth among six New England states, including Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts.[3]
Below is an overview of Connecticut’s national rank in each of the dimensions analyzed by the Commonwealth Fund:[3]
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Dimension |
National Rank |
|---|---|
|
Reproductive & Women’s Health |
5 |
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Access & Affordability |
8 |
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Prevention & Treatment |
7 |
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Avoidable Hospital Use & Cost |
40 |
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Healthy Lives |
7 |
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Income Disparity |
8 |
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Racial & Ethnic Health Equity |
8 |
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Connecticut?
Marketplace benchmark plans in Connecticut cost $661 per month on average, more expensive than the nationwide average of $477 per month. On average, Connecticut residents pay a monthly premium of $567 for the lowest-cost bronze plan available in the state, $648 for the lowest-cost silver plan and $627 for the lowest-cost gold plan.[4]
Cheapest Health Insurance Options in Connecticut
The most affordable monthly health insurance rates can be found with bronze-tier plans from Connecticut’s state-based Marketplace. Bronze plans typically have lower premiums in exchange for higher deductibles, copays and coinsurance, so they are better for people who are healthy and don't think they will need a lot of medical care.[5]
However, if you anticipate using health services frequently during the year, you might want to look into a gold or platinum plan. These plans typically have higher monthly premiums but can save you money on out-of-pocket costs.
You may find additional savings by choosing a health maintenance organization (HMO) plan, which usually has lower monthly payments than preferred provider organization (PPO) plans. However, HMOs usually provide fewer benefits than other PPOs and might be unable to accommodate everyone's needs. For instance, HMOs often won’t cover non-emergency out-of-network care and may require a referral from a primary care physician to see a specialist.
What Is the Average Cost of Health Insurance in Connecticut by City?
Below, we’ll review the median monthly rates across all metal tiers for health care coverage plans for 30-year-olds making $40,000 per year in five major cities in Connecticut before considering premium tax credits.[6]
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City, Zip Code |
Quote |
|---|---|
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Bridgeport, 06606 |
$611.59 |
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Stamford, 06902 |
$611.59 |
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New Haven, 06511 |
$555.00 |
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Hartford, 06106 |
$518.67 |
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Middletown, 06457 |
$571.73 |
Which Health Insurance Companies Are the Most Affordable in Connecticut?
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) offers Connecticut's most affordable health insurance plans in the silver tiers. While Anthem provides the lowest cost health insurance for 75% of Connecticut residents, other carriers may offer better rates depending on where you live. For example, those living in some of the state’s largest cities, like Bridgeport and Stamford, may have lower rates with the carrier ConnectiCare.[7]
Below is an overview of Connecticut health insurers with silver plan ranges that cost below $800 before premium tax credits for 40-year-old individuals.[7]
|
Health Insurance Company |
Average Premium |
|---|---|
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$568 to $710 |
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ConnectiCare |
$606 to $757 |
When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance in Connecticut?
During the open enrollment period (November 1 to January 15), residents of Connecticut can sign up for a health insurance plan through their state-based Marketplace plan, Access Health CT. Select your health insurance plan by December 15 to ensure that your coverage begins on January 1; otherwise, coverage won’t begin until February 1st.[8]
You may be able to enroll outside of the regular open enrollment window if certain qualifying life events trigger a special enrollment period. Special enrollment periods typically last 60 days before or following events like moving, getting married, starting a family, or losing employer-sponsored major medical coverage.[9]
What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Connecticut?
Some of the major types of medical insurance you can purchase in Connecticut include the following:
- State-based Marketplace health plans
- Short-term health plans
- Private health insurance coverage directly from health care providers
- Employer-sponsored group health insurance
- Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) continuation coverage
- Medicare
- HUSKY health programs, which include Medicaid services and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- CoveredCT program
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health benefits
- Student health plans
How To Get Health Insurance in Connecticut
Examining quotes for health insurance from three to five providers can help you better understand your options and increase your chances of finding a good deal. However, looking up insurance companies individually can be tiresome.
Using an insurance marketplace such as SmartFinancial can expedite the process. Once you complete a brief questionnaire, we can connect you with a certified insurance agent who can assist you in locating reasonably priced health plans that meet your needs. Click here to receive a free quote for a Connecticut health insurance plan!
- Insurance quotes /
- Health /
- Connecticut
Preston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing in various industries, from higher education to e-commerce. He strives to engage with the audience, provide accurate reporting and make complex subjects easily digestible.
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