Connecticut CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program

Last verified: June 2026

Informational overview of Connecticut CHIP

For current eligibility thresholds and enrollment, visit https://www.ct.gov/dss/cwp/view.asp?a=2353&q=305184. CHIP and Medicaid applications are processed together in most states — apply once and both programs are considered.

Connecticut's CHIP program is called HUSKY B — apply at AccessHealthCT.com

HUSKY B is Connecticut's Children's Health Insurance Program for children in families with income above the HUSKY A Medicaid limit but below the CHIP upper threshold. Apply at accesshealthct.com or call 1-855-626-6632. Income limits update March 1 annually.

HUSKY B: Connecticut's CHIP program

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.

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 — Connecticut is distinctive in using a March 1 update date rather than January 1. Per CT DSS:

Household income	Monthly premium per child	Maximum per family
Up to ~201% FPL	$0	No premium
~201% to ~300% FPL	~$30/mo	~$60/mo (2 or more children)
~301% to 323% FPL	~$50/mo	~$100/mo (2 or more children)

Premium figures are approximate. Confirm current HUSKY B premium schedule at portal.ct.gov/HUSKY or by calling 1-855-626-6632. Premiums update March 1 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. Specific benefits include:

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

No cost-sharing for most HUSKY B services

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.

What CHIP covers

Federal law requires CHIP to cover certain core benefits. States may add to the list. Standard CHIP coverage includes:

Doctor visits, including well-child checkups and sick visits
Hospital care — inpatient and outpatient
Emergency room and urgent care services
Prescription drug coverage
Mental health and substance use disorder services
Dental care — preventive and restorative
Vision care, including eye exams and glasses
Laboratory and imaging services
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
Medical equipment, such as wheelchairs or hearing aids when medically necessary

How to apply for Connecticut CHIP

Apply through Connecticut Medicaid (HUSKY Health) — the same application covers both Medicaid and CHIP. Online applications are typically fastest and allow document uploads. You can also apply by phone or in person at a local eligibility office.

See the how to apply page for the complete application process, required documents, and what to expect during review.

CHIP and Medicaid income ranges overlap — apply regardless

If you're not sure whether your child qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP, apply anyway. The eligibility system determines which program applies based on your income. A child who earns out of Medicaid may qualify for CHIP, and vice versa. Don't let uncertainty about which program applies prevent you from applying.