Connecticut Medicaid (HUSKY Health): A Calm, Complete Guide
If you’ve ever tried to understand Connecticut Medicaid and walked away feeling more confused than when you started, you’re not alone.
That’s not a failure on your part — it’s because Connecticut Medicaid isn’t a single program. It’s a system of pathways, all grouped under one name: HUSKY Health. And the rules can change dramatically depending on which HUSKY program applies to you.
Let’s walk through it together, slowly, and in plain language.
The most important thing to understand first
Connecticut Medicaid is divided into two major worlds:
Income-based (MAGI) Medicaid
Disability / age-based (non-MAGI) Medicaid
This distinction matters more than almost any single number you’ll see.
MAGI Medicaid
MAGI programs are based primarily on income and household size.
They do not use asset limits.
These programs cover:
Children
Parents and caretaker relatives
Pregnant people
Expansion adults (ages 19–64)
Non-MAGI Medicaid
Non-MAGI programs are tied to disability, blindness, aging, Medicare status, or long-term care needs.
These programs do use asset limits and much stricter income rules.
This is where people often get surprised.
HUSKY A: Families, children, and pregnancy
HUSKY A is what most people think of as “traditional Medicaid.”
It covers:
Children
Parents and caretaker relatives
Pregnant individuals
Income rules (approximate)
Parents/caretakers: up to about 133% of the Federal Poverty Level
Children: up to about 201% FPL
Pregnancy: up to about 263% FPL
Connecticut publishes clear charts with exact annual dollar amounts by household size, which is extremely helpful when screening eligibility.
Assets
There is no asset limit for HUSKY A.
That means savings, vehicles, and other resources are not counted for eligibility in these categories.
Why this matters
Connecticut’s pregnancy coverage is especially strong, and many families qualify even when they assume they won’t.
HUSKY D: Expansion Medicaid for adults
HUSKY D is Connecticut’s version of Medicaid expansion under the ACA.
It covers:
Adults ages 19–64
Not pregnant
No dependent children under 19
No Medicare
Income rules
Up to 138% FPL
Roughly $21,000–$22,000 per year for a single adult
Assets
There is no asset limit.
Why this matters
If someone is denied Medicaid after a disability determination, or while waiting on SSDI, HUSKY D is often the correct pathway — as long as they don’t have Medicare.
HUSKY B: Children’s coverage when income is higher
When family income is too high for HUSKY A, children don’t simply lose coverage. They move to HUSKY B, Connecticut’s CHIP program.
Two income bands
Band 1: no monthly premium, small copays
Band 2: modest monthly premiums
(around $30/month for one child or $50/month for more than one child)
Special category
Connecticut also offers HUSKY B Prenatal, which covers prenatal care when the pregnant person doesn’t qualify under other Medicaid categories.
Why this matters
Connecticut handles the Medicaid → CHIP transition more smoothly than many states, reducing coverage gaps for kids.
HUSKY C: Medicaid for people who are disabled, blind, or age 65+
This is where the rules become much tighter.
HUSKY C covers:
People age 65+
People who are blind
People who are disabled (often SSI-related or Medicare-related)
Income limits (very low)
Single: about $835/month
Married couple: about $1,128/month
Connecticut applies certain income disregards, so someone who looks “over” on paper may still qualify — but the margins are narrow.
Asset limits
Single: $1,600
Couple: $2,400
These limits are among the most restrictive parts of the Medicaid system and often require careful planning.
Why this matters
This is the category that causes the most confusion — especially for people who transition from income-based Medicaid into disability-based Medicaid.
Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS)
Connecticut Medicaid also covers long-term care needs such as nursing home care or equivalent levels of care.
Income
Up to about $2,829/month for a single person
Assets
$1,600 for a single individual
Spousal impoverishment protections apply for married couples
Why this matters
This follows standard federal Medicaid long-term care rules, including protections for the non-applicant spouse.
MED-Connect: Medicaid while working (a standout program)
This is one of Connecticut’s most important — and most generous — Medicaid pathways.
MED-Connect is Connecticut’s Medicaid buy-in program for disabled adults who work.
Who it’s for
Disabled or blind adults
Actively working for pay
Want to keep Medicaid while earning income
Income limits
Up to about $85,000 per year
Asset limits
$20,000 for an individual
$30,000 for a couple
Premiums
Sliding scale
No premium below 200% FPL
Why this matters
Not every state offers a Medicaid buy-in. Fewer still allow income at this level.
For many people, MED-Connect is the difference between being able to work safely and being forced to remain under strict income caps.
The big takeaway
In Connecticut, Medicaid eligibility isn’t just about income.
It’s about:
Which HUSKY category applies
Whether the state is using MAGI or non-MAGI rules
Whether disability, Medicare, or work is part of the picture
Two people with the same income can have completely different outcomes — simply because they’re being evaluated under different rules.
Once you understand the structure, the system starts to make sense.
And if it still feels overwhelming?
That’s okay too. It’s layered by design.
