Complete Health Care

HUSKY Health includes Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program and is managed by the Department of Social Services.

HUSKY Health offers medical coverage to eligible children, parents, caregivers, elders, people with disabilities, adults without dependent children, and pregnant women.

The program offers a health care benefits package, including preventive care, primary care, specialist visits, hospital care, behavioral health services, dental services, hospice, and prescription medications.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for HUSKY Health is based on assets and incomes and may change depending on which part of Medicaid the person is applying for. To qualify for HUSKY, you must be a resident of Connecticut and a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant.

Applicants must also meet the income guidelines below:

HUSKY A

  • Children under the age of 19 or in the care or custody of the Department of Children and Families
  • Biological or adoptive parents
  • Pregnant women
  • Caretaker, relatives, or stepparents, if the child lives with the applicant
  • Adults under the age of 26 who were in foster care and on HUSKY Health at age 18 or older

HUSKY B

This is the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Even though it is a HUSKY program, it is not Medicaid. Applicants under the age of 19 who are uninsured and in higher-income households may qualify for HUSKY B. Applicants must be able to meet the income guidelines. Families may be able to split healthcare costs with their insurance company based on the family’s income level.

Learn More: Use these charts to see if you qualify at the annual income level and monthly income level.

HUSKY C

Medicaid coverage under HUSKY C is available for individuals over the age of 65. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 and who are blind or have another disability may also qualify. HUSKY C also includes Long-Term Services & Supports and Medicaid for Employees with Disabilities.

Applicants must also meet certain income and asset levels, which vary by geographic area within the State and which part of Husky C they may qualify for.

The components of Husky C may have different income/asset guidelines and for the largest part of HUSKY C, the following are net income limits (after deductions).

Income and asset criteria can be found on the Department of Social Services website https://portal.ct.gov/HUSKY/How-to-Qualify

Individuals who cannot afford the cost of care, but are over Medicaid’s limits may still qualify. The state has a spend-down program that evaluates an individual’s care costs and their income. If it is calculated that an individual cannot meet their care costs, they can qualify for Medicaid by spending-down their income over the limit on their medically-necessary care costs.

Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS)

Includes nursing home care and home and community-based services (Medicaid waivers). HUSKY C LTSS requires a five-year income and asset review for individuals that have not been a recipient of a DSS Medicaid program that has an asset test.

Go here for income and asset limits for more information. For single individuals, the income limit is $2,250. The asset limit for single people and married couples is $1,600 and $2,400 respectively.

HUSKY C Medicaid for Employees with Disabilities

Some Connecticut individuals may be eligible for MED-Connect; a medical assistance program for employed individuals with disabilities. Individuals can qualify for full Medicaid/HUSKY coverage while continuing to work.

Some individuals may pay a monthly premium based on his or her income. The income limit for these individuals is $75,000. The asset limit for a single adult is $10,000 and $15,000 for a married couple.

Income and asset criteria can be found on the Department of Social Services website https://portal.ct.gov/HUSKY/How-to-Qualify

Visit CT.gov for more information and to apply or call 1-800-537-2549 (Toll-Free).

HUSKY D

Connecticut residents aged 19 up to 65 may qualify if they:

  • Are without dependent children
  • Do not qualify for HUSKY A
  • Do not receive Medicare and
  • Are not pregnant

Learn More: Visit the HUSKY Health Program and the Department of Social Services to learn more about eligibility.

Types of Services & Supports that can be used for HUSKY Health and Medicaid

Medicaid covers most health care services including:

  • Hospital stays
  • Hospice
  • Nursing home care
  • Lab tests and x-rays
  • Medical equipment like wheelchairs, eyeglasses, hearing aids
  • Most prescription drugs
  • Some dental care
  • Doctors’ care
  • Foreign language interpreter services
  • Non-emergency medical transportation

Note that the services listed above aren’t all the services covered by Medicaid. Go to the Benefit Overview to see the comprehensive benefits offered.

Several health care services are covered under Medicaid. For a full list of services covered and detailed explanations, consult the HUSKY Health Member Handbook. Download and/or print the handbook for your reference.

HUSKY Health also includes enhanced services that have additional requirements:

  • Community First Choice (CFC) is a benefit offered to active Medicaid members who are at an institutional level of care. If a person qualifies for care in a nursing home or other institutional setting, under the Medicaid benefit, that person also qualifies for CFC services in their home and community. CFC is based on an individual’s need for assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and Health-related tasks.
  • Home and Community-based Medicaid Waivers help people who are income and functionally eligible, receive long-term Services & Supports in their home.
  • Money Follows the Person Program (MFP) is for Medicaid recipients in long-term care facilities – such as nursing homes, hospitals and other qualified institutions. It can help people successfully transition back into the community.
Effective July 1, 2021, the State Department of Social Services is ending all real property liens that have been filed to recover the cost of cash assistance and/or Medicaid assistance. Moving forward, liens will not be placed on real property. The change results from Public Act 21-3, passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Lamont. Liens on real property owned by former clients, clients and legally-liable relatives (LLR) are being released.

Apply

The Department of Social Services offers individuals several ways to apply for Medicaid. Online application is the quickest and most convenient method; however, applications can be mailed in or submitted at any DSS office. For some health coverage, users can apply over the phone. Visit Access Health to apply for or renew health coverage for HUSKY A, B or D. Applicants can apply for HUSKY C online, or complete it in or mail it to any DSS office. Use this list to find a field office near you. Office hours are Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Download the W-1E Application.

For application instructions for Long-Term Services & Supports, including facility coverage and Home and Community Based Services Medicaid waivers, visit the Long-Term Care “Apply” page.

Visit the Department of Social Services portal for more information and how to apply for any of these programs.