Illinois health insurance exchange

Quinn administration announces state-federal partnership for exchange’s first year

By Carla Anderson
healthinsurance.org contributor

Aides to Gov. Pat Quinn announced in July 2012 that the Illinois health insurance exchange will operate as a state-federal partnership in its first year. With a Nov. 16 deadline to submit a plan to operate the exchange without federal assistance, the administration says it’s out of time. “At this point in time, in the situation we’re in, a state-federal partnership is the best way of assuring access to an exchange,” said Michael Gelder, the governor’s senior health-care policy adviser. As in many states, legislators have yet to authorize exchange development. First, they were waiting for the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Now, some continue to hope for the ACA’s demise, pinning their hopes on Republicans taking control of the White House and the U.S. Senate in the November elections and repealing health reform.

Consumer advocates and some legislators are disappointed that the exchange won’t be solely state run. They believe the state will lack leverage to negotiate with big healthcare companies operating in the state and be less able to protect consumers. “The federal exchange is a very strong starting point, but we know we can do much better here in Illinois,” said Jim Duffett, executive director for the Campaign for Better Health Care.

To date, Illinois has received $39 million in federal startup funds for an exchange. Most of the money is intended to build out the technology infrastructure so that the state can run the exchange itself after 2014.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 1.9 million people in Illinois are uninsured. That’s about 16% of the state’s population. The exchange is expected to enroll about 486,000 people in its first year.

Updated Sept. 18, 2012

More Illinois health insurance exchange links

Health Insurance Exchanges
Illinois Department of Insurance

State Exchange Profile: Illinois
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation overview of Illinois’ progress toward creating a state health insurance exchange.

Affordable Care Act in Your State: Illinois

Health Care Assistance
Office of the Attorney General
1-877-305-5145 (toll-free nationwide) TTY: (312) 964-3013
Serves residents enrolled in private health insurance

Office Consumer Health Insurance and the Ombudsman for the Uninsured 
Illinois Department of Insurance
(877) 527-9431 (toll-free nationwide)
Serves residents who are uninsured as well as residents who have health insurance problems or questions.