Illinois Department of Insurance announces start of Open Enrollment

The Illinois Department of Insurance, DOI, announced on Nov. 1 that Qualified Health Programs, QHPs, are now available to Illinois residents at Get Covered Illinois and Healthcare.gov.  

Due to the significant changes to the plans and prices from plan year 2016, DOI is encouraging all Illinois residents to take their time and compare plans.

“The Illinois Department of Insurance recognizes the challenges Illinois consumers will face as they try to decide on a health care plan for next year,” said acting director Anne Melissa Dowling in a news release.

“We want Illinois residents to know we are here as a free resource to make sure everyone is able to get the best coverage possible for themselves and their families.”

Illinois residents can make an appointment for free, in-person assistance from a licensed and trained Navigator by going to GetCoveredIllinois.gov or calling 1-866-311-1119 for more information.

The following insurers are offering a total of 331 (182 individual and 149 small group) Qualified Health Plans on the Illinois Marketplace in 2017:

Celtic Insurance Company.

CIGNA Health of Illinois Inc. 

Health Alliance Medical Plans, Inc. (“HAMP”).

Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company (“HCSC”, dba Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois).

Humana Health Plan, Inc.

Important Dates

Nov. 1, 2016: Open Enrollment begins.

Dec. 15, 2016: Last day to enroll in or change plans for new coverage to start Jan. 1, 2017.

Jan. 15, 2017: Last day to enroll in or change plans for new coverage to start Feb. 1, 2017

Jan. 31, 2017: 2017 Open Enrollment ends.