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Early Childhood Educators Health Insurance Subsidy
ABOUT
Early childhood educators who enroll in a health plan through Access Health CT (AHCT) may now be eligible for a new form of financial help to lower the cost of their health insurance. The financial help is designed for those who do the good work of taking care of children to also help take care of themselves.
Funded by the State of Connecticut, the Early Childhood Educators (ECE) subsidy offers eligible early childhood educators $1,000-$1,200 per year towards a health insurance plan through Access Health CT.
This new financial help is available to early childhood educators and professionals working at licensed child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes in the state of Connecticut. Public school preschool teachers are not eligible for the subsidy.
The ECE subsidy will be available starting January 1, 2027, and is only offered to eligible early childhood educators enrolling in an insurance plan through AHCT. This new financial help is available in addition to any other federal and state financial help these individuals may qualify for as well.
Individuals can apply for the subsidy beginning with the 2027 Open Enrollment Period, which runs from Oct. 23, 2026, through Jan. 15, 2027. This subsidy is available whether they are purchasing an individual plan, enrolling as part of a small group health plan or using an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement or ICHRA offered by their employer.
AHCT offers options for businesses to support their employees in taking advantage of the Early Childhood Educators Health Insurance Subsidy, and possibly even qualify for tax incentives for their business.
FOR INDIVIDUALS:
Eligible Early Childhood educators should begin by creating an account with Access Health CT and filling out an application. Please note: You need to have an account through the Early Childhood Professional Registry BEFORE filling out an application for health insurance. Then indicate on your application you are an Early Childhood Education worker.
- Sign up for the Connecticut Early Childhood Professional Registry.
REGISTER NOW
- Compare plans through Access Health CT. You can create an account or sign in, if you already have one, to begin your application.
COMPARE PLANS
- Enroll in a plan through Access Health CT during Open Enrollment. Please keep an eye on your mailbox or inbox. You may be asked to verify that you are an Early Childhood Educator.
Open Enrollment begins on October 23, 2026, and ends on January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. Enroll from December 16 through January 15 for coverage starting February 1. After Open Enrollment ends, you will need to have a Qualifying Life Event in order to be able to enroll at a different time of year, which is called a Special Enrollment Period.
Who is eligible?
This new financial help is available to Connecticut Early Childhood Educators and Professionals working at licensed child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes. This can include:
- Preschool teachers
- Infant/toddler teachers
- Early childhood administrators
- Daycare/Child care staff
- Early Start or Head Start teachers
- Family Child Care Educators
Please note: Preschool teachers working for a public school program are not eligible for this financial help.
They must be enrolled through Access Health CT in an individual health plan, a small group health plan or take part in an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) to qualify.
Educators must also be registered with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood Professional Registry before applying for coverage. (opens in a new window)
Educators who are eligible for the Covered CT Program or HUSKY Health (Medicaid) are not eligible for Early Childhood Educators Health Insurance Subsidy. Access Health CT can help you enroll in the Covered CT program or HUSKY Health, if you qualify, when you apply for health insurance.
The Early Childhood Educators Health Insurance Subsidy is available to anyone whose immigration status makes them eligible for health or dental insurance through Access Health CT, regardless of whether they are eligible for federal financial help.
How much financial help can I get?
The amount of financial help you are eligible for from the ECE health insurance subsidy is determined by your household income.
| Federal Poverty Level (FPL) | Individual annual income | Subsidy amount |
| >175% – 250% FPL | $27,387.50 – $39,125 for individuals
$56,262.50 – $80,375.00 for families of four |
$1,200/year |
| >250% – 400% FPL | $39,125.01 – $62,600 for individuals
$80,375.01 – $128,600 for families of four |
$1,100/year |
| >400%+ FPL | >$62,600 for individuals
>$128,600 for families of four. |
$1,000/year |
If you are eligible, the financial help will be automatically paid to your insurance company to lower what you have to pay each month. This financial help is not a tax credit, which means you will not have reconcile it with the IRS when you file your income taxes.
If your household income or information changes, you must report the change to Access Health CT right away.
FOR BUSINESSES
Early childhood businesses, such as daycare center owners, can offer health insurance to their employees through Access Health CT (AHCT) and their employees will still be able to take advantage of the Early Childhood Educator Health Insurance Subsidy.
Businesses can offer an allowance-based program called an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) through Access Health CT BusinessPlus, and possibly also qualify for a business tax incentive. Businesses can also offer traditional small group health plans.
ICHRA
Businesses of all sizes can choose to open an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) through Access Health CT. Companies provide a stipend or allowance employees can use to purchase an individual health plan. If employees purchase that health plan through Access Health CT BusinessPlus, they can use the Early Childhood Educators subsidy to lower their monthly premium.
Eligible businesses, with 50 or fewer employees, can receive a tax credit of up to $1,000 per employee per year when they offer an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) through AHCT using the BusinessPlus platform.
Small Group Health Plans
Businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees can offer one or more health insurance plans to their employees. The subsidy will be applied to the employee’s portion of the monthly premium cost.
For more information on options for businesses, explore Access Health CT BusinessPlus or contact our team.
When can my business enroll?
Companies can choose to offer an ICHRA or small group health plan at any time of the year and give their employees the opportunity to enroll with the Early Childhood Educators Health Insurance Subsidy.
HELP
Access Health CT is here to help. Visit our Get Help page for a full list of resources. You can also make an appointment with an Enrollment Specialist for personalized assistance.
Check out the toolkit below for printable materials with additional information you can share with other Early Childhood Educators.
Stay Informed
Sign up to learn more about the Early Childhood Educator’s subsidy.