Connecticut CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program
Updated August 2026
HUSKY B is Connecticut's Title XXI CHIP program for children ages 0 through 18. It covers children in families with income too high for HUSKY A Medicaid but below approximately 323% of the Federal Poverty Level — roughly $103,845 per year for a family of four in 2026. This ceiling is among the higher CHIP thresholds nationally.
323% FPL
HUSKY B income ceiling
HUSKY B
Connecticut's CHIP program name
1-855-626-6632
Access Health CT phone
HUSKY B income limits and premiums update March 1, not January 1
Connecticut is distinctive in using a March 1 update date for HUSKY B income limits and premium amounts, rather than the January 1 date many programs use. Confirm current thresholds at portal.ct.gov/HUSKY or by calling 1-855-626-6632.
HUSKY B: Connecticut's CHIP program
Connecticut operates HUSKY B as a Medicaid expansion CHIP rather than a separate CHIP. Children enrolled in HUSKY B receive the same comprehensive benefits as children in HUSKY A, and they see the same network of HUSKY-participating providers. The main difference is that HUSKY B charges a monthly premium at higher income levels, where HUSKY A has none.
A single application at accesshealthct.com determines whether a child qualifies for HUSKY A or HUSKY B. Families don't need to know in advance which program applies.
HUSKY B income limits and premiums
HUSKY B income limits and premium amounts update on March 1 annually. Per the Connecticut Department of Social Services, children eligible for HUSKY B are enrolled in one of two income bands.
| Household income band | Monthly premium | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Band 1: up to 254% FPL | $0 | No monthly premium; some copays may apply |
| Band 2: above 254% up to 323% FPL | $30/mo for one child; $50/mo for multiple children | Total family cost-sharing (premiums, copays, coinsurance) capped at 5% of gross income annually |
Band 1: up to 254% FPL
- Monthly premium
- $0
- Notes
- No monthly premium; some copays may apply
Band 2: above 254% up to 323% FPL
- Monthly premium
- $30/mo for one child; $50/mo for multiple children
- Notes
- Total family cost-sharing (premiums, copays, coinsurance) capped at 5% of gross income annually
What HUSKY B covers
HUSKY B provides the same comprehensive benefits as HUSKY A for children. Because both programs operate under the EPSDT mandate (42 U.S.C. § 1396d(r)) for members under 21, all medically necessary services are covered.
- Well-child visits, immunizations, and developmental screenings
- Vision — eye exams and eyeglasses
- Dental — comprehensive care including orthodontics when medically necessary
- Hearing screenings and hearing aids
- Mental health and behavioral health services
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Specialty care, hospital care, and surgeries
- Prescription medications
- Non-emergency medical transportation
Cost-sharing and losing HUSKY B coverage
Beyond the monthly premium, HUSKY B members generally pay no co-pays or deductibles at the point of service for most covered benefits. Federal CHIP rules cap annual cost-sharing at 5% of family income for CHIP enrollees — Connecticut's HUSKY B cost-sharing structure stays within this federal limit.
Children who lose HUSKY B coverage because household income rises above 323% FPL should evaluate ACA marketplace plans at accesshealthct.com. Connecticut's exchange offers marketplace plans with premium tax credits for incomes above 138% FPL. Some marketplace plans available through Access Health CT cover children with comparable or enhanced pediatric benefits.
What CHIP is
CHIP — the Children's Health Insurance Program — is a federal-state partnership that covers children in families whose income is too high for Medicaid but too low to afford private insurance. Congress created CHIP in 1997 under Title XXI of the Social Security Act. Like Medicaid, CHIP is jointly funded by the federal government and each state, and each state administers its own program.
CHIP serves children up to age 19 (some states cover to 21 for children in foster care). It is not available to adults — CHIP is specifically designed to address the coverage gap for children in working families.
Nationally, CHIP covers approximately 7 million children, according to CMS data. In most states, it is a seamless part of the broader children's health coverage system alongside Medicaid.
How to apply for Connecticut CHIP
Apply at accesshealthct.com or call 1-855-626-6632. A single application determines whether a child qualifies for HUSKY A (Medicaid) or HUSKY B (CHIP).
Connecticut Medicaid (HUSKY Health)
- Access Health CT phone: 1-855-626-6632
- Apply for HUSKY: accesshealthct.com
- HUSKY B premium schedule: portal.ct.gov/HUSKY
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