Illinois opens state-based insurance marketplace ‘Get Covered Illinois’

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Illinoisans with subsidized insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act will soon see a big increase in premiums. But new resources from a state-based marketplace could help people find an affordable plan.

Thought of the Affordable Care Act typically goes along with healthcare.gov, the federal marketplace. But the Illinois state government has chosen to build its own in-house system, a move officials said will make it easier to find a plan.

The plans are the same and the prices are too. But there is a lot more behind Get Covered Illinois than what meets the eye.

“The difference really lies in how much control a state has over the tools and services it relies on to help residents enroll in coverage,” said Morgan Winters, the new director of Get Covered Illinois.

Winters said the biggest advantage will be its ease of use. Healthcare.gov is one-size-fits-all, but Get Covered Illinois is tailored for the state.

“We have a network of certified brokers and navigators. These are local experts who provide free help with the enrollment process,” Winters explained. “We also have a dedicated customer assistance center with representatives who can assist customers in both English and 250 other languages that we support.”

Illinois residents are also getting perks other states won’t get, like alternate enrollment periods.

“One of those is a pregnancy special enrollment period that offers coverage to folks when they become pregnant. That’s not something that’s available on the federal marketplace,” Winters said. “The other is what we call ‘easy enrollment.’ It gives uninsured Illinoisians an opportunity to enroll in coverage when they file their state tax form.”

Winter said the change in the marketplace comes at a critical time. Premiums for those on subsidized health care plans are expected to rise 50 to 60% on average in Illinois.

The state can’t make the plans more affordable, but it can get people to the best alternative if they can’t afford their previous plan.

“While that’s a big hit to families’ budgets, it’s important to know that tax credits will still be available to help bring down the cost of coverage,” Winters said. “They’re just not going to be as generous and get covered.”

Winters said there is concern that people will choose to go without health insurance, rather than adjust their plans when premiums go up. He said that’s not the right move to make; any insurance is better than nothing.

“All of the plans on Get Covered Illinois offer 10 essential health benefits, which include free preventative care, which is just so critical in catching health issues early before they become more major,” Winters said. “Health insurance also protects from devastating medical debt.”

Open enrollment will begin Saturday, Nov. 1. People can find more information on plans and how to access them by heading to https://getcovered.illinois.gov/.