HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – The new year meant new problems for hundreds of ConnectiCare customers who are in limbo wondering if they have health insurance.
While ConnectiCare is still going by that name, the health insurance company has a new owner. ConnectiCare was acquired by Molina Healthcare last year, and a system transfer at the start of 2026 did not go smoothly for some customers.
Alphonse Paolillo in Norwich realized something was wrong when he wasn’t billed at the start of January. He says he has had automatic payments sent up for his ConnectiCare bills for years.
“That’s when I started making phone calls to ask what was going on,” said Paolillo.
Paolillo says ConnectiCare representatives promised over the phone that he was covered. However, when he logged into his healthcare portal, it said his insurance was inactive. It left him uncertain over whether he’d be covered if he needed care.
“I mean, for the last three or four days last week, it’s like, do we have coverage or not?” said Paolillo.
Then Paollilo’s wife went to get new eyeglasses, and she was told her insurance was inactive. They would not fulfill her prescription.
“There seems to be a disconnect along everywhere about the manner in which the communication took place from Molina to members to providers,” said Paolillo.
Connecticut’s Department of Insurance tells the I-Team it has received 21 complaints about this and is working with ConnectiCare to investigate. They believe less than 1000 customers are impacted.
In a statement to the I-Team, an insurance department spokesperson said:
“The data transfer problems were limited, a correction was completed last week and all affected members are now active in ConnectiCare’s system. Any delayed ID cards are being printed and mailed.”
After hours on the phone and a week and a half of uncertainty, as of January 12th, Paolillo now has access to a new portal that shows he is covered. While his issue appears to be resolved, he wanted to share his story in case there are other ConnectiCare customers who may have not yet realized they also have this issue.
“Had I not looked, then I probably wouldn’t have started asking questions and making phone calls. I don’t know if other people are doing the same thing,” said Paolillo.
The I-Team reached out to ConnectiCare and Molina Healthcare for more information about what happened but have not heard back.
Connecticut’s Department of Insurance says anyone with questions or concerns should reach out to them.
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