Quick answer
Connecticut has some of the most expensive Marketplace coverage in the country: in 2026 the benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old averaged $870 a month before subsidies, fifth-highest nationally and well above the U.S. average of $625. At 64, that’s about $2,042 a month. About 79% of Access Health CT enrollees got a premium tax credit, and those who qualified paid about $100 a month on average. The state approved 2027 increases averaging 11.2% to 11.3% on September 14, 2026.
Key takeaways
- Connecticut’s 2026 benchmark premium for a 40-year-old was $870 a month, fifth-highest in the country and $245 above the U.S. average.
- A record 156,745 people picked an Access Health CT plan for 2026, up almost 4% from 2025.
- The Connecticut Insurance Department approved average 2027 increases of 11.2% to 11.3% on September 14, 2026, down from about 16% requested.
- Covered CT gives adults 19 to 64 with income up to 175% of the poverty level free coverage, including dental care and rides to medical appointments.
- Open enrollment starts early in Connecticut, on October 23, 2026, and ends January 15, 2027.
On this page
What a Connecticut Marketplace plan costs before subsidies
Premiums follow the federal age curve in Connecticut, so a 64-year-old pays three times what a 21-year-old pays for the same plan. The table shows what that means at the state’s 2026 benchmark price.
| Age | Benchmark silver plan, per month (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| 21 | $681 |
| 30 | $773 |
| 40 | $870 |
| 50 | $1,216 |
| 60 | $1,848 |
| 64 | $2,042 |
| Child under 15 | $521 |
A family with two 40-year-old parents and two young children would pay about $2,782 a month for benchmark plans before subsidies. Across all Access Health CT enrollees in 2026, the average full premium was $1,030 a month.
What you’d pay after a tax credit
About 79% of Access Health CT enrollees got a premium tax credit in 2026, averaging $952 a month. The credit is available with household income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, and it limits what you pay for the benchmark plan to a share of income. A single 40-year-old earning $40,000 would pay about $287 a month in 2026, with the credit picking up about $583. In 2027 that person’s share would be about $289. Above 400% of the poverty level ($62,600 for one person for 2026 coverage, $63,840 for 2027) there’s no federal credit, so a 40-year-old just over that line would pay the full $870 a month for the benchmark plan in 2026.
Connecticut added its own money for 2026 to replace the enhanced federal credits that expired: the full lost amount for households between 100% and 200% of the poverty level, and half of it between 400% and 500%. Insurers set their 2027 rates assuming that extra help wouldn’t continue, so check Access Health CT for what’s offered for 2027. Separately, a new state subsidy for Marketplace enrollees who work as early childhood educators starts in 2027, worth $1,000 to $1,200 a year depending on income.
Costs beyond the premium
Plans usually have a deductible you pay before coverage kicks in for most services, then copays or coinsurance, up to the out-of-pocket maximum: $10,600 for one person in 2026 and $12,000 in 2027. Silver plans lower those costs through cost-sharing reductions if your income is under 250% of the poverty level, and Covered CT members get their coverage and care at no cost.
Connecticut Marketplace facts
- Marketplace: Access Health CT (AccessHealthCT.com), the state-run exchange. Its open enrollment starts October 23, earlier than the November 1 start on HealthCare.gov.
- Enrollment: A record 156,745 plan selections for 2026, up from 151,151 in 2025. About 79% got a premium tax credit, and a quarter of enrollees paid less than $10 a month after it.
- Insurers: Anthem and ConnectiCare Benefits sell Access Health CT plans for 2027. ConnectiCare Insurance Company, a separate company, is moving to off-exchange plans only, so its 3,719 Marketplace enrollees need to choose new coverage; see what to do if your insurance company leaves the Marketplace. Cigna doesn’t sell Marketplace plans in Connecticut.
- 2027 prices: Approved. The Connecticut Insurance Department announced its decisions on September 14, 2026: an average increase of 11.2% to 11.3%, depending on the calculation, down from about 16% requested. Anthem’s approved increase is 8.8% (it asked for 12.8%), and ConnectiCare Benefits’ is 16.0% (it asked for 22.7%).
- State help: Covered CT offers no-cost coverage through an Access Health CT silver plan to adults 19 to 64 with income up to 175% of the poverty level who earn too much for HUSKY Health, and it adds dental coverage and non-emergency medical transportation. The 2026 state subsidy and the new educator subsidy are described above. Connecticut has no reinsurance program or individual mandate.
- Medicaid: HUSKY Health. Connecticut was the first state to adopt the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. HUSKY D covers adults without minor children up to 138% of the poverty level, and HUSKY B, the state’s CHIP, covers children up to 323%. Starting January 1, 2027, HUSKY D members 19 to 64 must show 80 hours a month of work or community engagement and renew every six months; see Medicaid work requirements.
When to enroll
Access Health CT’s open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from October 23, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15, 2026 if you want coverage to start January 1. Covered CT has no enrollment window, so if you qualify you can sign up any time of year. One change to plan for: starting in 2028, Access Health CT says you’ll no longer be able to be automatically re-enrolled in your plan.
Other options in Connecticut
- Coverage from an employer, often the cheaper option when it’s available.
- HUSKY Health for children, pregnant people and lower-income adults, and Covered CT up to 175% of the poverty level; see health insurance for children.
- Medicare at 65.
Health insurance costs in nearby states: New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. You can also compare health insurance costs in every state.
See 2027 plans and prices where you live in Connecticut: compare quotes by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
Is health insurance more expensive in Connecticut than in other states?
Before subsidies, yes. The 2026 benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old averaged $870 a month, fifth-highest in the country, though enrollees who qualified for a tax credit paid about $100 a month on average.
What is Covered CT?
It’s a state program for adults 19 to 64 who earn too much for HUSKY Health but no more than 175% of the poverty level, about $27,388 a year for one person in 2026. It provides a no-cost silver plan through Access Health CT, plus dental coverage and rides to medical appointments, and you can enroll any time.
When is open enrollment in Connecticut for 2027?
October 23, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1.
How much are Connecticut health insurance rates going up in 2027?
The state approved average increases of 11.2% to 11.3%, depending on the calculation, down from about 16% requested. Anthem’s approved increase is 8.8%, and ConnectiCare Benefits’ is 16.0%.
Sources
- Access Health CT: Federal changes to health coverage
- CT Mirror: CT insurance department approves rate hikes for 2027 health plans
- Connecticut Department of Social Services: Covered Connecticut Program
- healthinsurance.org: Connecticut Health Insurance Marketplace
- healthinsurance.org: Which states offer their own health insurance subsidies?
- KFF: Marketplace average benchmark premiums by state
This article is general information, not insurance or tax advice. Connecticut premiums vary with where you live, your age and income, and the plan you choose. Last reviewed September 2026.