Access Health CT’s open enrollment is only weeks away, and there’s still a lot of uncertainty about who is eligible for the program. But one thing is clear: the cost of health care will increase.
As a part of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, Congress introduced enhanced premium tax credits for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), intended to stabilize the healthcare market. A year later, these subsidies were extended to last until the end of 2025.
Now, these subsidies are about to expire.
This will save the federal taxpayers an estimated $350 billion over the next decade, and will also cause 3.8 million nationwide to lose their coverage.
In Connecticut, almost 28,000 people—or one in five people enrolled in Access Health—will lose their coverage if the tax credits are not extended, according to a consumer impact report that was discussed at Access Health’s most recent Board of Directors meeting on Oct. 16. That is because these people make more than 400% the federal poverty level (FPL), which translates to an annual income of more than $60,240.
Around 90% of Access Health enrollees benefit from the ACA enhanced premium tax credits.
If they expire at the end of the year, the average healthcare rate for everyone enrolled in Access Health will increase by 17%, according to the consumer report. Every person enrolled in Access Health is expected to see a rate increase, although the size of that increase varies by both income and healthcare plan.
Out of the 157,163 people enrolled in Access Health, as of September 2025, 55% of them will see a rate increase between 10% and 20%, and another 30% will see a rate increase of more than 20%.
The average rate change for Anthem plans is projected to be less than 14%, while the average rate change for CBI and CICI plans is projected to be 21%. Across the board, Silver-level plans will see the largest increases.
Democratic legislators at the national level are trying to force Republicans to renew these tax credits. Currently, the federal government is shut down, and Congress needs to pass a continuing resolution to keep it open. However, Democrats are refusing to vote on a continuing resolution unless Republicans renew the ACA subsidies.
At a press conference on Sept. 29, Sen. Richard Blumenthal explained this decision by saying, “Open enrollment begins in Connecticut on November 1. People need to know whether they can afford health insurance before they enroll.”
Health insurance premiums will increase, however, even if the ACA-enhanced subsidies are extended.
Although the rate changes depend on a number of factors, including household size, income, the county where people live, and their health insurance plans, second-lowest-tier Silver plans will see the greatest rate increases.
“The average out-of-pocket (cost) doesn’t reflect specific individuals’ health needs,” said Ren Zhong, a consultant actuary who worked on the consumer impact report. “In the end, it depends on expected utilization.”
Connecticut residents can enroll for Access Health CT coverage at AccessHealthCT.com. Enrollment starts on November 1 and goes until January 15, 2026.
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