Connecticut bucks national trend with record ACA enrollment

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Connecticut enrolled a record 157,246 residents in marketplace plans for 2026, a 4% increase over last year, even as national ACA enrollment fell by more than 1 million people.

The state’s marketplace, Access Health CT, announced the results Feb. 19. The state’s open enrollment period ran from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31.

The record comes despite the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, which reduced financial assistance for marketplace consumers nationwide. Overall ACA enrollment fell to roughly 23 million for 2026, down from 24.2 million in 2025, according to the latest CMS data published in late January.

Several factors contributed to Connecticut’s growth. The state expanded its navigator program to six locations, added mobile enrollment specialists and extended its enrollment deadline by more than two weeks. Gov. Ned Lamont also announced temporary premium assistance in December to offset the loss of the enhanced subsidies.

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