Governor Quinn Officially Launches Get Covered Illinois' Second Annual Open Enrollment Period

Press Release - Saturday, November 15, 2014

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today officially launched the second year of open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at the Health and Wellness Expo at the South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago. Led by the Get Covered Illinois (GCI) program, the state plans to build on the program's successful first year in which more than 700,000 people across the state gained access to quality health coverage. The second open enrollment period is a three-month window running from Nov. 15 through Feb. 15. The launch is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure all people have access to quality healthcare.

"Today we are launching the second enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act so that people across Illinois can gain access to quality healthcare and receive the proper care they deserve," Governor Quinn said. "In just one year more than 700,000 people across Illinois are receiving healthcare, and while we've made great progress, our goal is to give everyone across Illinois access to quality healthcare. Today marks our next step forward in ensuring the fundamental right of healthcare for all."

The Health and Wellness Expo at the South Shore Cultural Center is one of 70 launch events going on around the state. Attendees had the opportunity to take part in free health screenings with a medical professional, as well as in-person guidance on understanding health insurance options and enrolling in coverage.

To date approximately 500,000 people statewide have enrolled in the expanded Medicaid program under the ACA which is more than double the state's initial projections.

Coupled with the 217,000 who enrolled in private health plans through the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace, approximately 717,000 people have enrolled in healthcare as a result of the state's aggressive enrollment efforts. The state's Marketplace enrollment during the initial six-month enrollment period exceeded the federally-established goal of 143,000 Marketplace enrollees by 52 percent.

Uninsured residents must enroll in a plan by Dec. 15 to gain coverage starting Jan. 1, 2015. Those who selected a plan in Year One through the Marketplace must choose a plan by Dec. 15 to avoid being automatically re-enrolled in their 2014 plan and to ensure they have coverage starting Jan. 1, 2015. All 2014 Marketplace coverage will end Dec. 31, 2014, regardless of when coverage started.

To assist residents looking to enroll or re-enroll in health coverage, GCI has established a network of hundreds of bilingual Navigators at more than 250 sites around the state to provide free assistance in-person and by phone. Navigators are trained to help residents understand and review their healthcare options, determine if they qualify for financial assistance based on their income, and walk them through the enrollment process step-by-step.

Residents who enrolled last year are encouraged to take advantage of free, in-person assistance during open enrollment to review new health coverage options and determine if financial help is available before opting to renew their current plan.

The Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) recently announced the number of Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) offered under the ACA has more than doubled from 165 plans offered in 2014 to more than 400 plans being offered in 2015.

"In Year One, we learned that many people waited until the final days to enroll in coverage. We want to ensure people are able to sign up early and get the insurance they need instead of waiting until the last minute," GCI Executive Director Jennifer Koehler said. "Residents can call (866) 311-1119 to schedule a free, in-person meeting at convenient time and nearby location to help ensure they get a plan that best meets their needs and budget."

More information about open enrollment events around the state can be found by visiting GetCoveredIllinois.gov/events/. For additional information on healthcare options, call (866) 311-1119 or visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov.