Some Connecticut children with HUSKY coverage face longer waits for specialized eye care as independent practices limit Medicaid appointments, CT Mirror reported October 18. Its reporting connects the access problem to a continuing dispute over how much the state pays physicians.

Pediatric ophthalmologist Cara DeBenedictis told CT Mirror her wait was about 10 months for Medicaid patients, compared with three or four months for other insurance. She said urgent cases are triaged and cancellations can open earlier appointments. Yale Medicine pediatric ophthalmologist Martha Howard described waits of nine to 12 months for children across insurance types.

The cause remains disputed. Physicians interviewed by CT Mirror said low reimbursement constrains access. A spokesperson for Governor Ned Lamont’s budget office pointed to a nationwide pediatric ophthalmologist shortage and disputed a connection between waits and Medicaid rates. Those appointment estimates are the providers’ accounts to CT Mirror, not an independent Eastern CT News survey.

The Department of Social Services says its two-phase Medicaid rate study compared Connecticut payments with Medicare and peer states. Its review covered physician specialists in the first phase. DSS says it cannot implement every recommendation simultaneously because of operational, administrative and financial constraints, and is developing a scheduled evaluation process.

For families, insurance coverage and an available appointment are separate questions. HUSKY’s official benefits guidance says its A, B, C and D programs cover vision services including eye exams and glasses, subject to limitations. Members can use the program’s medical-provider directory or call Member Engagement Services at 1-800-859-9889 for help locating care. The published member-help hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Howard’s official Yale Medicine profile lists offices in New Haven, Guilford and Waterford, including 914 Hartford Turnpike. Her hospital profile identifies an affiliation with Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and lists HUSKY and Medicaid among accepted insurance, while advising patients to verify their specific plan. Neither listing guarantees an available appointment.