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HUSKY Health is a full-package public health coverage program in Connecticut. The plan provides a varied scope of medical services for eligible individuals, although you may also consider expanding your health plan through private insurance for more comprehensive coverage.
Learn how to find out whether you qualify for HUSKY Health, what the program includes, and how to apply for HUSKY in Connecticut.
HUSKY Health is a state program that aims to provide eligible Connecticut residents with accessible basic medical care. HUSKY stands for Healthcare for Uninsured Kids and Youth.
The plan includes services such as check-ups, physician visits, prescription meds, dental care, vision care, emergency medical services, and more. HUSKY includes several programs (A, B, C, D, and LB) depending on the member’s eligibility group.
HUSKY can provide free health coverage based on your income and specific eligibility criteria. Like other public health system programs, HUSKY gets its resources from both state and federal funding. It facilitates basic healthcare for those who cannot afford private health insurance.
As a HUSKY member, you will receive a card with your individual number, issue date, and your HUSKY membership plan. After you get this card by mail, you should carry it with you to every doctor appointment or pharmacy visit. If you lose your card or it gets damaged or stolen, you can request a new membership card by phone or email.
You can apply for HUSKY Health or renew your membership through:
When possible, filling out and sending an online form is the quickest and most efficient way to apply for HUSKY.
Each HUSKY Health/Connecticut Medicaid program has its specific eligibility requirements. Here is a brief overview of the different programs and the groups they target:
Additionally, applicants’ income and assets must fall below certain thresholds. This table explains annual income guidelines for HUSKY A, B, and D applicants depending on the number of family members.
For HUSKY C/Connecticut Medicaid, the monthly income thresholds are currently $653 for a single person and $879 for married couples, and asset limits are $1,600 for singles and $2,400 for married couples. However, enrollees who are disabled employees may qualify for the program with a much higher asset limit and annual income up to $75,000.
You can apply for HUSKY Health A, B, and D here and for HUSKY C through the DSS application here after creating an account. The DSS provides free assistance services for applicants who speak a language other than English.
Once your application gets approved, you will get your new HUSKY Health ID Card, along with a Gray EBT Connect Card, a My Medication card, and a program guide. You’ll also get an eligibility letter confirming your status as a new HUSKY Health member. This letter will serve as valid proof of your coverage and give you access to services for the first 30 days from your application’s approval.
You’ll use your new member card to create and manage your secure HUSKY Health account and choose a primary care provider. Remember to carry all your cards and other relevant documentation about your medical conditions on every healthcare visit.
If you’re a Connecticut HUSKY Health A, B, or D member who enrolled in the program during the COVID-19 PHE (Public Health Emergency), you may need to renew your coverage now that HUSKY Health is returning to the regular application process.
HUSKY may renew your member status automatically based on an eligibility review, or provide a renewal form so you can re-apply for the program online, via mail, or by phone. You should receive a notice 45 days prior to the end of your coverage. It’s important to make sure the DSS has your updated address so you get any important notices from HUSKY Health, and take prompt action to renew your coverage if necessary.
Connecticut HUSKY Health members are eligible for a wide range of free or discounted health care services that includes routine medical and dental care, emergency health services, physical therapy, home health care, hospice care, and more. Keep reading for an overview of available services for HUSKY Health members.
The CTDHP (Connecticut Dental Health Partnership) under the HUSKY program provides no-cost common dental services like:
The CTDHP can also help you locate participating dental clinics, assist with setting up appointments, provide help with translation, and coordinate transportation. Some dental procedures may require authorization from the CTDHP, meaning that a dental care provider would need to issue documentation supporting the procedure’s medical necessity. For those who have more serious dental issues and anticipate requiring more visits to the dentists, investing in private dental plans in Connecticut is advisable.
Members of HUSKY A, C, and D qualify for no-cost program-covered drugs as part of their membership benefits. HUSKY covers most common prescription drugs. To access HUSKY’s pharmacy benefits, you’ll need to show your gray CONNECT Card or provide your SSN or client identification number at a participating pharmacy.
Doctors who participate in HUSKY will usually prescribe a generic drug, unless your condition calls for a brand name medicine with no generic counterpart. You’ll typically be able to get a refill after using up 93% of an available prescription drug, unless you plan to travel out of state and ask for an early refill in advance.
Your health care provider will also consult a preferred drug list when prescribing medication.
As an eligible HUSKY member, you may receive long-term health care services, like nursing home care, extended nursing services, home health aide services, and other community-based services, through your HUSKY plan.
When applying for extended health care through HUSKY C, you may expect to undergo a five-year look-back review of your income and assets to make sure you meet Connecticut Medicaid requirements. If your assets or income exceed the threshold, you may need to “spend down” until you meet eligibility criteria.
HUSKY Health doesn’t provide routine out-of-state care coverage. HUSKY will cover emergency care as long as you’re still in the U.S., including territories like Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and Guam, and as long as your hospital or emergency care provider participates in HUSKY. Contact a HUSKY Health representative if you aren’t sure which medical conditions count as emergencies under the program and which local care providers have enrolled in HUSKY.
If your case wasn’t a true emergency or if the health care provider you visited doesn’t participate in HUSKY, you may have to cover the emergency services bill. Also, HUSKY provides no coverage outside the U.S., so consider purchasing travel health insurance if you’re planning to travel abroad. If you are traveling outside of Connecticut for leisure, invest in proper travelers insurance.
Connecticut children from birth to 19 regardless of their income level, and eligible young adults, including students, may qualify for HUSKY Health according to the program’s usual criteria.
If you’re a qualifying senior over 65, a blind person, or an individual with disabilities, you may receive LTSS (Long Term Services and Supports) under HUSKY C/Connecticut Medicaid. These services may include help with routine activities like bathing, dressing, and eating, meal preparation, housekeeping, and medication management. The LTSS umbrella encompasses nursing home care, personal care and home health aide services, adult daycare, and caregiver assistance. When possible, Medicaid LTSS will prefer community-based care over institutionalized care for the senior or disabled person.
As a senior participating in Connecticut Medicaid LTSS, you’ll need to comply with the program’s income limits. A nursing home resident may have to give up any monthly income, like Social Security benefits, to the institution, with the exception of a small allowance for personal needs. In these cases, Connecticut Medicaid will cover any remaining fees.
Certain groups, like Native Americans, U.S. veterans, and their family members may enjoy special plans and extra coverage when enrolling in Connecticut Medicaid. Consult your local DSS to make sure you make the most of your HUSKY Health coverage.
If you are a recognized member of a Native American tribe, an Alaska native, or a Canada-born Native American, you may be eligible for additional benefits under Connecticut Medicaid. You may qualify for HUSKY Health even if you are a noncitizen and enroll in HUSKY through Access Health CT outside the usual Open Enrollment Period.
If you are a U.S. Army veteran, you may qualify for VA benefits to cover healthcare costs. However, VA benefits count as income under HUSKY Health/Connecticut Medicaid, and exceeding Medicaid’s income threshold may harm your eligibility for HUSKY Health. Thus, you may have to choose between Medicaid and VA benefits.
Medicaid may work best if you need nursing home care, but VA benefits may be a better option for assisted living or in-home care. If you’re married, you could opt for Medicaid while your spouse receives VA benefits, or vice versa. Consult an insurance professional or a competent elder law attorney if you aren’t sure which plan serves your interests better. It’s important to note that HUSKY Health Coverage may not provide enough coverage in an instance where someone becomes temporarily or permanently disabled. Investing in quality disability insurance is an excellent way to assist with some of the costs incurred with not being able to work, and to help with the cost of medical needs.
Health services that Connecticut HUSKY Health usually doesn’t cover include:
If you’re not sure whether your HUSKY Health plan covers a specific service or works with a particular health care provider, search the Members portal or call 1-800-859-9889 for Member Engagement Services.
HUSKY Health members often feel unsure about which services their health plan covers. Below, you’ll find the usual coverage eligibility for common health services, although it’s always best to inquire directly if you don’t know whether a procedure qualifies for coverage under HUSKY/Connecticut Medicaid.
| Dental | |
|---|---|
| X-Rays and Exams | Yes |
| Wisdom Teeth | Yes, when medically necessary to remove wisdom teeth. Prior authorization is required. |
| Vision | |
|---|---|
| Eye Exams | Yes |
| Glasses | Yes |
| Laser Eye Surgery | Possibly, if the surgery is medically necessary to treat a condition like cataract. Coverage won’t extent to elective procedures like LASIK. |
| Surgery | |
|---|---|
| Rhinoplasty | Usually no, unless you need to undergo the procedure because of a congenital deformity or after trauma to the nose. HUSKY won’t cover rhinoplasty for purely cosmetic reasons. |
| Breast Reduction | HUSKY may cover breast reduction for medically necessary reasons only. Patients may be eligible for coverage if they suffered abnormal tissue loss because of cancer treatment or in an accident, or if certain health conditions caused extreme disparity in the size of the patient’s two breasts. |
| Hospital | |
|---|---|
| Hospital stays | Yes, along with any necessary inpatient and outpatient procedures. |
| Ambulance transportation | HUSKY Health provides 100% coverage for emergency ambulance and rotary air transport services. Non-emergency ambulance transportation requires prior authorization and may qualify for full coverage when medically necessary, for example, if you need to travel between two health care facilities. |
| Giving birth | Yes. HUSKY supplies a comprehensive maternity bundle that includes most prenatal services, lab work for the expectant mother, labor and delivery care, postpartum care, prescription drugs, and more. If you’re a new mother under HUSKY Health coverage, you also qualify for breastfeeding support. The maternity bundle is active throughout the pregnancy and until a year postpartum. |
| End of Life Care | Hospice care services and most end of life drugs are paid for by HUSKY. It is always wise to ensure that in the event of your passing, your family is secured with comprehensive funeral insurance. |
Connecticut Medicaid/HUSKY Health provides coverage for many mental health services, including therapy and counseling options, for eligible members. Qualifying conditions may include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and more. If the mental health condition calls for prescription drugs, HUSKY will cover those as well.
HUSKY D also covers behavioral health therapy for individuals battling substance abuse. This may include inpatient/residential or outpatient programs that help people combat addiction.
HUSKY typically won’t cover services like coaching, career counseling, and family or marriage counseling.
To get coverage for therapy and counseling services, you’ll need to work with a mental health provider that participates in HUSKY Health. In some cases, the service won’t be eligible for full coverage but will require co-pays.
| Sexual Health | |
|---|---|
| Gynecologist visits | Yes, including reproductive health and family planning. |
| Erectile Dysfunction | Usually not eligible for coverage. |
| Birth Control | Yes, including long-acting reversible contraception like subdermal implants and IUDs. |
| Fertility Treatment | Some fertility treatments may be eligible for coverage under HUSKY Health, depending on your health plan, age, and certain medical criteria. |
| Specialist Services | |
|---|---|
| Dermatology | HUSKY may cover eligible services, provided that you choose a dermatologist who accepts HUSKY Health insurance. You may need a referral from your primary care provider. |
| Physiotherapy | Typically yes, based on medical necessity and a referral from your primary care physician. |
| Massage Therapy | Usually not covered. |
| Podiatry and Foot Care | HUSKY Health/Connecticut Medicaid will usually provide 100% coverage for medically necessary services of a licensed podiatrist in clinic and independent settings. Some podiatrist services may require prior authorization. |
| Allergy Testing | HUSKY will typically cover medically necessary allergy tests. |
| Sleep Physician Services and CPAP Machines | HUSKY may cover sleep studies for conditions like sleep apnea if you get proper referrals. Depending on your health plan and other factors, you may also qualify for partial coverage for a CPAP machine. |
Although HUSKY Health/Connecticut Medicaid includes many free and low-cost basic health services, you may consider additional third-party private plans to supplement what HUSKY Health covers. Combining private insurance with HUSKY may allow you to lower out-of-pocket costs on many health care services. Other types of private insurance, such as life insurance, can help pay for medical costs Medicaid will not cover, especially in the event of your passing.
Usually, Medicaid will act as a secondary insurer that steps in to cover gaps in your private plan. In some situations, carrying both Medicaid and private insurance can save you a lot of money, provided you find the right plan.
At Insurdinary, we source the highest-value private insurance plans that will provide wide coverage while working seamlessly with your HUSKY Health/Connecticut Medicaid plan. Select the type of insurance product you need and let us help you find the perfect plan for you and your family. Fill in your details and get fast, reliable insurance quotes at competitive rates.
Insurdinary, and its network of partners offer many different types of insurance. In addition to health, dental, disability, life, funeral and travel insurance as discussed on this page, you may also be interested to explore the following:
