Illinois residents now have additional time to secure health insurance through the state’s Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange, Get Covered Illinois. The enrollment deadline has been extended by 16 days, allowing consumers to sign up for coverage until January 31. The decision to extend the timeline comes as the state seeks to provide more flexibility amid uncertainties regarding federal ACA subsidies.
State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, a practicing physician, emphasized the benefits of Illinois operating its own state-run health insurance marketplace rather than relying on the federal Healthcare.gov platform.
"I don’t think they’re going to struggle to get enrollees", Hauter said. "I think that actually is probably exactly what they wanted, in that you couldn’t extend the enrollment deadline with the federal plan."
Record enrollment and additional resources
Get Covered Illinois reported high enrollment numbers this year, with the extension offering consumers additional time to compare plans. Marketplace Director Morgan Winters pointed out the advantages of the state-run system, stating, "Illinois decided to go with its own system. We used to go through the federal government, but with how often the state is at odds with federal policy, lawmakers anticipated those changes and moved to Get Covered Illinois, like many other states have done. That gives Illinois more control – especially in situations like this, where the state can extend enrollment deadlines multiple times."
The state has also invested heavily in outreach and support for residents navigating their health insurance options. According to a news release, Illinois allocated nearly $7 million for navigator grants and deployed more than 140 navigators and 9,000 certified brokers to assist with enrollment. Despite this investment, Hauter expressed skepticism about whether the costs will align with the estimated budget.
"I’d be very surprised if that’s all it was", Hauter said of the $7 million figure. "They say it’s one price, and then we find out it’s much more. I anticipate when the final budget numbers come out that it’s going to be much, much higher for the whole process."
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Flexibility amid federal uncertainty
The extended enrollment period is attributed, in part, to uncertainty over the future of federal ACA subsidies and funding. Hauter noted that Illinois’ ability to manage its own marketplace provides an advantage during these unpredictable times.
"Now that Illinois and other states are facing kind of the unknowns, changes to federal funding and to the subsidies for the ACA, being able to do it from a state administrative website has made it easier for them to extend the deadline in the face of all these changes", Hauter said.
Under the current system, Illinois residents must use the state-run platform, Get Covered Illinois, instead of the federal Healthcare.gov. Hauter explained that the plans and premiums remain consistent, with the primary change being the shift in administration from federal to state control.
"They’re offering the same programs and healthcare premiums", he said. "It’s now being administered by Illinois instead of the federal government."
Balancing flexibility and long-term affordability
While Hauter supports the state’s decision to extend the enrollment deadline, he stressed the importance of addressing long-term affordability for Illinois residents. He highlighted the need to move more individuals into private, employer-based insurance rather than relying on subsidized programs.
"The best thing for the state is getting people onto private insurance, ideally through their employer", Hauter said. "That’s better than keeping people in heavily subsidized marketplaces or Medicaid."
Despite these broader concerns, Hauter acknowledged that the extended deadline is beneficial for individuals who may be navigating changes in employment, subsidies, or federal policy.
"I think extending the enrollment deadline is good for patients", Hauter said. "The state-run marketplace is more flexible, and that’s probably been better for families right now."
As Illinois continues to manage its ACA exchange, the state’s ability to adjust policy and respond to consumer needs remains a key factor in shaping healthcare access for its residents.
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