Low HUSKY Pay Drives Long Waits for Pediatric Eye Care in CT
The CT Mirror reports that low Medicaid reimbursement rates are causing many Connecticut pediatric ophthalmologists to limit or refuse HUSKY (Medicaid) patients, resulting in waits as long as nine to ten months for children needing eye care, versus three to four months for privately insured patients. Only five of roughly ten pediatric ophthalmologists in the state currently accept new Medicaid patients. Connecticut raised Medicaid rates in 2026 to about 60% of 2025 Medicare rates, its first broad increase since 2008, but doctors and legislators say Gov. Ned Lamont has repeatedly proposed smaller increases than needed. HUSKY covers about a quarter of state residents and half of Connecticut's children, so access gaps have statewide implications.