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“Being healthy and going to the doctor is something many of us take for granted, but thanks to Healthcare Reform, tens of thousands of Connecticut residents are now able to experience that peace of mind,” said Access Health CT CEO Kevin Counihan. “This holiday season, we’re encouraging everyone to shop for coverage, so you can share in the gift of being healthy and well.”
Connecticut residents can compare plans and shop for coverage online at www.accesshealthct.com. The AHCT call center has extended its hours this week and increased the number of customer service representatives. Consumers can call 1-855-805-HEALTH (4325) from 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. today, Dec. 23.
In Connecticut, consumers who sign up by Dec. 23 have until Jan. 7 to pay their first month premium for coverage beginning Jan. 1. Insurance carriers have begun to send invoices to consumers who have already signed up through AHCT. Consumers who wait until after Dec. 23 to enroll will still be eligible for coverage beginning later in 2014. The open enrollment period runs from Oct. 1, 2013, through March 31, 2014.
"Access Health CT is proud of the work we’ve done to give as many people as possible access to quality, affordable healthcare," Counihan said. "To date, we have enrolled over 46,000 members, over half of whom enrolled in private health insurance plans, the highest percentage in the country. Further, we have had consistently the highest private insurance enrollment to goal of any exchange in the country."
He predicted that the level of uninsured people in Connecticut would be below 9 percent in January as a result of the Affordable Care Act and the Access Health CT program.
The White House announced a 24-hour deadline extension for individuals enrolling in healthcare coverage through Healthcare.gov until Tuesday. But this deadline applies only to the federally facilitated marketplace. As a state-based marketplace, Access Health CT has established its own enrollment deadlines. Monday, Dec. 23, remains the enrollment deadline for Connecticut residents who wish to have health care coverage effective Jan. 1, Counihan said.
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