Health Insurance Reform

Fact Sheets/Consumer Resources, By Topic

The Health Insurance Reform Information Center is a forum for information on the recent national health insurance reform and its effects on Illinois. The Department will post fact sheets, legislation, and other useful material as it becomes available. Please check back routinely for updates. For further information, contact the Department toll-free at (877) 527-9431.

Health Insurance Exchanges

NAIC Exchanges Subgroup

• NAIC Model Act – American Health Benefit Exchange

• Illinois Health Care Reform Implementation Council – Key Issues for Public Comment
• Regulations and Guidance from HHS
  
  • Initial Guidance to States on Exchanges
  • Request for Comments
  • Exchange Planning and Establishment Grants
    • Illinois Application
    • Quarter 1 Grant Report to HHS
    • Quarter 2 Grant Report to HHS
  • Cooperative Agreement to SupportEstablishment of State-Operated Health Insurance Exchanges
    • Illinois Level 1 Exchange Establishment Grant Application - Project Narrative
    • Illinois Level 1 Exchange Establishment Grant Application - Work plan and Timeline**NOTE: This work plan and timeline is an evolving document that will continue to be modified over time as the State's planning shifts with emerging needs.
• Background Resources
  
  • Health Insurance Exchange – Stakeholder Conference (Video) (August 30, 2010)
  • Health Insurance Exchanges and the Affordable Care Act: Eight Difficult Issues (T.S. Jost, The Commonwealth Fund, September 2010)
  • Health Insurance Exchanges and the Affordable Care Act: Key Policy Issues (T.S. Jost, The Commonwealth Fund, July 2010
• Other State Exchange Legislation
  • Montana Exchange Legislation
    • HB 124
  • California Exchange Statute
    • AB 1602
    • SB 900
  • Massachusetts Exchange Statute
    • Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006
  • Utah Exchange Statute
    • HB 133
    • HB 188
    • HB 294

Small Business Tax Credit

• Benefits to Small Businesses Resulting from National Health Reform
• Small Business Coverage Tax Credit Fact Sheet
• Tax Credit for Employee Health Insurance Expenses of Small Employers (IRS Notice)
• Small Business Health Care Tax Credit (IRS)

Young Adult Dependent Coverage

• Young Adult Dependent Coverage Fact Sheet
• Tax Treatment of Health Care Benefits Provided With Respect to Children Under Age 27 (IRS Notice)
• Interim Final Regulation
• Fact Sheet (HHS)
• FAQs (HHS)

Medical Loss Ratios

• HHS Regulations and Guidance
  • Interim Final Rule: Health Insurance Issuers Implementing Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) Requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (December 1, 2010)
• NAIC Guidance
  • NAIC Model Regulation (October 27, 2010)
    • Summary
    • Pre-adoption draft with 10/21/10 considered amendments
    • Combined Comments as of 10/21/10
    • October 13, 2010 Letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius — MLR issues not mandated by PPACA to the NAIC
• MLR Reporting Form: NAIC Blanks Proposal (Document adopted by Joint Executive Committee/Plenary 8/17/10)
• Illinois Comments to the NAIC Health Reform Solvency Impact (E) Subgroup
  • June 23, 2010
  • July 1, 2010
• Illinois Comments to NAIC Actuarial Subgroup
  • June 23, 2010
• NAIC Response to HHS Request for Comments (May 12, 2010)
• Illinois Letter to NAIC (June 3, 2010)

Premium Review

• HHS Proposed Rule | Cover Letter from Secretary Sebelius
• Illinois Grant Application for Premium Review | Abstract
  • Quarter 1 Grant Report to HHS
  • Quarter 2 Grant Report to HHS
• Request for Comments (HHS)
• NAIC Response
• HHS Rate Review/WellPoint Letter
  • Illinois Response
• Testimony of Director Michael T. McRaith Before the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

Early Retiree Reinsurance Program

• Interim Final Regulation
• Fact Sheet (HHS)
• Presentation [PPT] (HHS)

Health Insurance Web Portal

• Interim Final Regulation
• Fact Sheet (HHS)

“Grandfathered” Health Plans

• Interim Final Regulation
• Fact sheet (HHS)
• FAQs (HHS)

Consumer Assistance

• Illinois Grant Application: Consumer Assistance and Patient Protection Project | Abstract

Standard Explanation of Coverage

• NAIC Consumer Information Subgroup: Drafts and Meeting Materials

Individual Market Premium Increases 2005 to Present

• Individual Major Medical Health Insurance Policy Rate Filing Report
• Survey of People Who Purchase Their Own Insurance (KFF)

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

• Public Law 111-148 (PPACA)
• Public Law 111-152 (Reconciliation)