80 percent of ConnectiCare customers paid; the rest get an extension

The deadline for ConnectiCare Benefits customers to pay their January premiums was Wednesday, but the company said Thursday that it will continue to accept payments through Jan. 20.

So far, the company has processed payments from more than 80 percent of people who signed up for ConnectiCare coverage through the state’s health insurance exchange, according to Michelle Zettergren, the company’s senior vice president and chief sales and marketing officer.

Zettergren said the company called and emailed applicants who had not paid their premiums by the original due date, Jan. 10. In some cases, people paid during the phone call. ConnectiCare also accepts payments by cash or check at People’s United Bank branches, many of which are located in Stop & Shop supermarkets.

About a third of the people buying private insurance through the state’s exchange have picked ConnectiCare plans. The largest carrier, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, has had a backlog in processing customers’ payments, but has been making progress. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said that as of Tuesday, Anthem had processed 45 percent of Connecticut customers’ payments. Anthem customers have until Jan. 31 to pay their January premiums.

HealthyCT, a new insurer with 3 percent of the exchange’s customers, had received payments from 56 percent of members as of Wednesday. The company’s payment deadline is Friday.