Press Releases
12/21/2015
Lt. Gov. Wyman, Access Health CEO Jim Wadleigh Announce Mid-Enrollment Numbers for AHCT
Hartford, Conn. (December 22, 2015) - Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, Chair of the Board of Access Health CT (AHCT) and Access Health CT CEO Jim Wadleigh today announced that over 34,000 new Connecticut customers have enrolled in quality, affordable coverage since November 1, 2015.
"As we enter the final month of open enrollment we are urging residents to check their coverage and make sure they have everything in place for 2016," said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. "Healthcare is critical to a good quality of life, strong communities, and a competitive workforce. AHCT is ready to assist at the call center, online, in the store, or through our enrollment partners."
The new enrollment number is on par with last year at this time and represents 11,000 QHP members and 23,000 Medicaid members. As of December 15, 2015, AHCT had almost 109,000 total members. However, approximately 8,200 of those members have not given AHCT permission to auto-renew their coverage and will lose coverage starting January 1, 2016. In addition, AHCT learned from the IRS yesterday that approximately 1,100 people who did not file their 2014 tax returns will lose their tax credits in 2016.
Consumers receiving premium tax credits are required to a file a federal income tax return with the IRS to reconcile their advanced premium tax credits. If you received premium tax credits in 2014, but did not file your federal income tax return for 2014 or did not include "Form 8962" with your 2014 federal income tax return, you are ineligible for tax credits for 2016. Please file your 2014 federal tax return with Form 8962 as soon as possible to help avoid a gap in receiving premium tax credits for 2016.
If you have questions about your household's tax filing status, use Interactive Tax Assistant (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Interactive-Tax-Assistant-(ITA)-1) or call IRS Telephone Assistance for Individuals at 1-800-829-1040.
"Our team has been communicating with our customers about the auto renew issue for some time, and will continue to do so. We've used direct mail, we've made phone calls, and we've talked to the media," said Wadleigh. "And since we were first alerted by the IRS to the issue of people failing to file their taxes, we've been communicating about that as well."
"Our customer service representatives can help residents auto-renew or they can do so by logging into their account on our website. If our customers are unsure of their tax status, we encourage them to seek the assistance of a professional tax preparer."
"It's easy to understand at this busy time of year that there are things on people's minds other than filing paperwork or filling out forms online. But the bottom line is that there are thousands of people who are about to either lose their federal tax credit, or lose their insurance completely, if they don't act - and we've very concerned."
"At the end of the day, it's all about making Connecticut a healthier place to live and work."
More information about the health care plan enrollment process can be found at www.accesshealthct.com or by visiting one of AHCT's enrollment centers which can be located at http://learn.accesshealthct.com/locations/
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About Access Health CT
Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut's official health insurance marketplace, is a quasi-public agency created by the Connecticut legislature in 2011 to satisfy requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act. AHCT's mission is to increase the number of insured residents in Connecticut, promote health, lower costs, and eliminate health disparities. Connecticut residents and small business owners can compare and enroll in health care coverage and apply for tax credits for individuals through AHCT. AHCT (or the Marketplace) also coordinates eligibility and enrollment with state Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs. For more information, please visit www.AccessHealthCT.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AccessHealthCT and follow us on Twitter @AccessHealthCT.
For Immediate Release: December 22, 2015
Contact:
Kathleen Tallarita
860.757.5339
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/@LGWyman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LtGovWyman
Office of Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman