INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY HEALTH
Health coverage when it isn’t coming from a job.
Self-employed, between jobs, retiring before 65, or working somewhere that doesn’t offer a plan — you need your own coverage, and the first question is almost always what it’s going to cost.
We’ll check whether you qualify for financial help, show you what each plan costs after that help is applied, and handle the enrollment.
WHO WE HELP
Most people come to us at a change.
Self-employed or a business owner – no group plan to fall back on
Retiring before 65 – you need a bridge until Medicare starts
Divorced or widowed – coverage was through a spouse
Between jobs – COBRA arrived with a number that startled you
Turning 26 – aging off a parent’s plan, buying your own for the first time
A family – one plan has to work for several people with different needs
FINANCIAL HELP
Most people qualify for help. Many don’t know it.
Connecticut runs its own marketplace, Access Health CT, and plans bought through it can come with assistance based on your household income and size. There are four things worth checking.
Premium Tax Credits
Lower what you pay each month, applied directly to the premium rather than refunded at tax time — so you feel it immediately.
Covered Connecticut
A state program that can cover premiums and cost-sharing entirely for households that qualify. Check before assuming anything is unaffordable.
Cost-sharing reductions
If your income is in range and you pick a Silver plan, your deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket maximum all drop. Almost nobody knows about this one.
HUSKY Health
Connecticut’s Medicaid program. If your income is below the threshold this may be the right answer instead of a marketplace plan, and we’ll tell you so.
Don’t assume you earn too much.
Eligibility depends on household income, household size, and whether you have an offer of coverage through a job. The limits reach higher than most people expect — it’s worth a phone call.
METAL TIERS
Bronze, Silver, Gold – a trade between premium and deductible.
| Bronze | Silver | Gold | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
| Deductible | Highest | Middle | Lowest |
| Cost-sharing reductions | Not available | Available if you qualify | Not available |
| Usually best for | Rarely see a doctor; want catastrophic protection | Most people — especially anyone eligible for cost-sharing help | Regular care, ongoing conditions, prescriptions |
The point most people miss
If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions, a Silver plan can end up with a lower deductible than Gold and a lower premium too. Choosing Bronze because the premium looked lowest is the most common expensive mistake in this market.
COSTS
Numbers to keep in mind.
A premium on its own tells you very little. When we compare plans for you, we look at all four of these together.
01
Premium, after subsidy
What actually leaves your account each month once any tax credit is applied — not the sticker price.
02
Deductible
What you pay before the plan starts sharing costs. Ranges widely — [range] by tier.
03
Copays and coinsurance
What a visit, a test, or a prescription costs you once the deductible is met.
04
Out-of-pocket maximum
The most you can pay in a year. Your worst case, and the number people forget to compare.
We’ll put all four side by side for every plan you’re considering, with an estimate of your total annual cost based on how much care you actually use.
BEFORE YOU PICK
Four things worth checking.
Your doctors
Networks are narrower here than in group coverage. We check your specific providers against each plan before you enroll, not after.
Whether COBRA is actually better
Sometimes it is — if you’ve met your deductible already, or need a specific network. Often it isn’t, once subsidies are counted. We’ll compare honestly, including when the answer is to keep it.
Your prescriptions
Formularies differ, and a drug that’s cheap on one plan can be expensive on another. We run your list.
Whether anyone qualifies separately
Children may be eligible for HUSKY even when the parents aren’t. Households don’t always end up on one plan.
DATES TO KNOW
When you can enroll.
Open Enrollment
Runs [date] to [date] for coverage the following year. Enrolling by [date] generally gets a January 1 start.
HUSKY and Covered Connecticut
No enrollment window at all. If you qualify, you can apply any time of year.
Special Enrollment Periods – most give you 60 days from the event
Losing coverage – a job ending, COBRA running out, aging off a parent’s plan
Marriage or divorce
Having or adopting a child
Moving somewhere with different plans
Gaining citizenship or lawful presence
An income change affecting eligibility
If something just changed, call sooner rather than later. Sixty days sounds like plenty and it goes quickly.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions we get.
I’m self-employed. Can I deduct the premium?
Often yes — the self-employed health insurance deduction exists for exactly this. We’re not tax advisors, so confirm with yours, but it’s worth raising.
My income changes month to month. How does that work?
You estimate annual income when you apply and it’s reconciled at tax time. Tell us if yours is unpredictable and we’ll help you estimate conservatively.
Is a cheaper plan from somewhere else a better deal?
Be careful. Short-term and non-ACA products advertise low premiums but can exclude pre-existing conditions, cap benefits, and decline to renew you. Connecticut restricts these significantly.
Can I keep my doctor?
Depends on the plan’s network. We check before you enroll.
What if I’m turning 65 soon?
Then the conversation changes — Medicare has its own rules and deadlines, and the transition needs planning. See our Medicare page, or just call.
Does this cost me anything?
No. Our help is free. We’re paid by the carrier, and not differently depending on which plan you choose.
BOOK A CONSULTATION
Tell us what you need. We’ll do the rest.
Fill out our form and we’ll contact you shortly, usually within 24 hours. If you prefer, you can also call us or text us at (203) 375-7511. We look forward to talking with you!
HOURS
Weekdays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Weekends: By Appointment Only
Medicare Disclaimer: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to the plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Licensed in CT, SC, FL, NJ.