What Are Health Insurance Marketplaces and Exchanges?
Exchanges or marketplaces are services that enable enrollment in health insurance whether it is through a public or private forum. These forums are accessible through multiple portals and websites.
Connecticut Private Exchanges vs Public Exchanges
Private Exchanges
The private exchange is designed to be used by employers to allow employees the ability to enroll in whichever pre-selected plan the employers chose. The private exchange is also where individuals and small businesses shop and enroll for coverage during the open enrollment window. Consulting firms or brokers typically run the private exchange utilized by an employer. If you opt to enroll in a private exchange, you forfeit the ability to qualify for government subsidy.
Carriers that are available as part of a private exchange:
- UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company
- ConnectiCare Insurance Company
- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- ConnectiCare Benefits
- UnitedHealthOne
- UnitedHealthcare
- ConnectiCare, Inc.
- Celtic Insurance Company
- Aetna
- Cigna Healthcare
Public Exchanges
The public exchange for Connecticut (Access Health CT) is one of the more successful state run exchanges. That being said, two of their four carriers have dropped out for open enrollment beginning November 1. When using the public exchange, your application will also verify if you qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or other discounts based on income level.
There will only be two options available on the public exchange for Connecticut:
Connecticut Marketplace and Exchange Facts
