Medicaid FAQ Sheets

Table of Contents 

• What Is Medicaid?
• What Healthcare Does Medicaid Cover?
• How Much Does Medicaid Cost?
• How to Qualify for Medicaid in Connecticut
• How to Apply for Medicaid in Connecticut
• How to Make Changes to Your Application
• How to Check Your Application Status
• What Happens After You Apply for Medicaid?
• How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits
• What Happens to My Medicaid If I Move?
• Need More Help?
• View or Download Our Free Guide

What Is Medicaid?

Medicaid is a federal U.S. health insurance program that provides health coverage to millions of Americans. The program primarily covers low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities.

Federal guidelines for the Medicaid program are established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Learn more about Medicaid at a national level on the CMS website here.

The Connecticut Medicaid program is administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services. Learn more about Medicaid in Connecticut on the Department of Social Services website here.

What Healthcare Does HUSKY Health Cover in Connecticut?

Through Medicaid, people gain access to health care services that may not be affordable without it. Additionally, some programs and benefits include special protections—such as provider networks and payment methods—that help ensure services are accessible. Medicaid also provides preventive care and other services to help people stay healthy and avoid costlier care.

Medicaid covers medical and health care services such as:

• Preventive Care
• Doctor Visits
• Women’s Health Care
• Family Planning Services
• Maternity Care
• Long-term Services and Supports
• Hospital Stays
• Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy/Speech Therapy
• Audiology Services
• Physical Rehabilitation
• Dialysis
• Durable Medical Equipment
• Hearing Aids
• Orthotic and Prosthetic Devices
• Home Health Care
• Hospice Services
• Ambulatory Surgery
• Hospital Outpatient Care
• Laboratory Tests
• X-rays and other Radiology Services
• Vision Care
• Emergency Care
• Dental Services (through CT Dental Health Partnership)
• Behavioral Health Services (through CT Behavioral Health Partnership)
• Pharmacy (medications)

Medicaid does not cover the following types of medical services:

• Cosmetic or plastic surgery
• Educational services
• Experimental treatments
• Care outside of the U.S., except for Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories
• Out-of-network services
• Physical exams needed for employment, insurance, school, summer camp, etc.
• Services that are not medically necessary
• Sterilization reversal
• Weight reduction programs
• Infertility treatment
• Services outside of Connecticut, except for emergency services or services from border providers (providers in states that border Connecticut) who participate in the HUSKY Health program

Learn more about medical and health care services that are covered by Medicaid in Connecticut on the Department of Social Services page here.

How Much Does HUSKY Health Cost?

Medicaid recipients in Connecticut may need to pay a monthly premium, which is a monthly fee for enrollment in the program. Premium amounts are based on the recipient’s annual income. Most HUSKY participants do not pay a monthly premium.

Recipients may sometimes need to pay a small out-of-pocket cost for treatments, which are known as copayments. Copayment amounts depend on the recipient’s age, household income and what the state pays for the specific service. There is a limit to the amount you can pay in copayments each month.

How to Qualify for HUSKY Health in Connecticut

To qualify for Medicaid in Connecticut, you must meet all of the following:

• Be a resident of Connecticut
• Be a U.S. citizen or have a qualifying immigration status
• Meet the Medicaid program’s income limits

Income limits vary depending on household size, medical status and other factors and are subject to change annually. Find the current Medicaid income limits based on household size in Connecticut here.

Learn what documents you can submit to prove your citizenship and identity here.

Find further information on Connecticut Medicaid eligibility here.

How to Apply for HUSKY Health in Connecticut

To apply for Medicaid in Connecticut, complete the following three steps:

1. Review the application requirements and gather documentation related to your health, medical condition and household. 

Learn what documents you need here.

2. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, by mail or in person.

To apply for Medicaid online, click here to access the ConneCT Benefits Portal.

To apply for Medicaid by mail, click here to access the application form, fill it out, and mail it with the necessary documents to:

DSS Scanning Center
P.O. Box 1320
Manchester, CT 06045-1320

To apply for Medicaid in person, click here to find your nearest Connecticut Department of Social Services field office.

3. Submit your application and complete the Medicaid interview, if required. 

Regardless of your method of application, a face-to-face or phone interview may be required to process your application.

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the Connecticut Department of Social Services’ toll-free customer service number at (855) 6-CONNECT (626-6632).

Or, contact your nearest local Connecticut Health and Welfare Office. Find contact information for local field offices in Connecticut here or refer to the list below.

How to Make Changes to Your Application

Connecticut Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including:

• Income changes
• A new address
• A change in their child care provider
• Family changes (new baby, new household resident, death, etc.)
• Changes to working hours
• Marital status changes
• Changes to medical expenses
• Insurance changes
• A withdrawal of an application

You can submit your change information in the following ways:

• Online here. Click “For Members” then “Update my Personal Information” under the “Member Information” menu.
• By phone at (855) 626-6632
• In person or by mail to your local DSS field office. Find contact information for local Medicaid offices in Connecticut here.

How to Check Your Application Status

You can check the status of your application in the following ways:

• Log into your account through the Access Health CT Portal here.
• Call the toll-free customer service number at (855) 626-6632.

What Happens After You Apply for HUSKY Health?

The Connecticut Department of Social Services will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Medicaid. In some cases, the state may ask for additional information before approving your application. Connecticut will mail applicants a letter detailing if their Medicaid application was approved or denied.

It takes approximately 45 days to process a Medicaid application. If you apply for HUSKY Health based on disability, it may take up to 90 days. If you are approved, you will receive a Medicaid identification card within 2 weeks of when you receive your approval notification.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits

Medicaid applications will be denied when applicants do not meet the eligibility requirements. Also, beneficiaries can have their benefits terminated or reduced if their eligibility status changes while they are enrolled.

If your Medicaid application is denied or the amount of your benefits is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must submit a verbal or written appeal request within 60 days of when you receive notice of the denial or benefits reduction.

You can submit your appeal request in the following ways:

• By mail to:

State of Connecticut – Department of Social Services (DSS)
Office of Legal Counsel, Regulation and Administrative Hearings
HUSKY A, C, D and Limited Benefit Appeals
55 Farmington Avenue, 11th Floor
Hartford, CT 06105

• By fax to (860) 424-5729
• By phone to (800) 859-9889

The Connecticut Department of Social Services will review your claim and may ask for additional information or evidence of your eligibility.

If you are granted a hearing, you will receive a notice with the date, time and location of the hearing. Learn more about the appeal process in the HUSKY Health Program Member Handbook here on pages 35-37.

What Happens to My Medicaid If I Move?

Connecticut Medicaid recipients must report changes that can influence their eligibility status, including relocating to a new address.

If you move to a new residence within Connecticut, you can submit your change information in the following ways:

• Online here. Click “For Members” then “Update my Personal Information” under the “Member Information” menu.
• By phone at (855) 626-6632
• In person or by mail to your local DSS field office. Find contact information for local Medicaid offices in Connecticut here.

Note: Medicaid benefits do not transfer. If you move to a new state, you must reapply for Medicaid in your new location. If you have further questions about moving with Medicaid, visit the national Medicaid Contact Us here.

Need More Help?

For help with a Medicaid application, or for any further questions about the Medicaid program, contact the Connecticut Department of Social Services:

• By phone at (800) 859-9889 or (866) 492-5276 for TDD/TTY
• By mail at:

HUSKY Health Program
P.O. Box 5005
Wallingford, CT 06492

You can also visit or call a local DDS field office for further assistance. Find your nearest Connecticut Department of Social Services office location and contact information here.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Medicaid program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

Our free Medicaid Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.

Last Updated: September 20, 2022