Hospitals, health plans incorrectly omitted from Illinois ACA exchange

Information on Illinois’ health insurance exchange may be incomplete or inaccurate as shoppers prepare for the fourth open enrollment period.

The Chicago Tribune reports several problems have been discovered during the pre-enrollment period. For example, hospitals owned by Advocate Health Care, the largest health system in Illinois, are incorrectly listed as out-of-network for two Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois plans.

Another insurer, Health Alliance Medical Plans, isn’t showing up on the list of available plans despite its confirmed participation for 2017.

HHS spokesman Jonathan Gold said some information has been “suppressed” because of insurers submitting inaccurate data to the federal government, but it should be displayed soon.

“We work to make sure consumers in the marketplace have access to accurate provider network information," Gold said to the Tribune. "If inaccuracies are identified, we work with issuers to make the necessary corrections."

For more on how incomplete information can force consumers to contact hospitals and providers directly, click on the link below: 

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John Gregory, Senior Writer

John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.

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