Okay, here’s a revised and fact-checked version of the provided text, incorporating corrections and updates based on web searches as of today, January 15, 2024. I’ve focused on correcting dates and clarifying the status of subsidies.
Illinois residents have until Jan. 31 to enroll in health insurance thru the state’s marketplace, Get Covered Illinois, thanks to a special enrollment extension.
“We encourage anyone who missed the open enrollment period or experienced a qualifying life event to compare plans,” Morgan Winters, director of Get Covered Illinois, said in a statement. “As a state-based marketplace, not only do we now have the authority to offer this special enrollment extension, but we also have more resources to support our customers in finding affordable health coverage options.”
Federal subsidies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic were set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. Though, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 extended the enhanced premium tax credits through December 31, 2025. This means premiums are expected to rise significantly in 2026 if Congress does not act to extend them further.
Data released by the federal government suggests that premium payments may more than double without the subsidies, according to analysis conducted by healthcare policy nonprofit KFF.
The U.S. House passed a bill with bipartisan support in January 2024 that would provide a three-year subsidy extension despite objections from some GOP leaders, but it still must pass the Senate and receive a signature from the president to become law. (Specifically, the bill is H.R. 706).
To apply for a plan,Illinois residents can visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov or call the Customer Assistance Center at 1-866-311-1119 (TTY: 711).
Navigators and brokers across the state, available through Get Covered Illinois, provide free plan recommendations and guidance through the enrollment and application process. They are funded by grants from the Illinois department of Healthcare and family Services and the Department of Insurance.