Benchmark healthcare plan set
Updated: October 1, 2012
CHICAGO -- Illinois is taking the next step toward national healthcare reform.
State leaders have picked an insurance plan setting the standard for everyone's healthcare statewide.
Under the Affordable Healthcare Act, every state has to set a minimum standard of coverage. That means insurance companies and employers can not offer benefit packages with anything less than this benchmark plan.
Over the last few weeks the state has been taking public comments on what kind of plan to choose. Some want full coverage with lots of services included. Small businesses, on the other hand, want cost-effective plans.
Any package has to cover what's called the "Ten Essential Health Benefits." It includes things like prescriptions, care for expecting and new mothers and emergency services.
The state gets to decide on all the extras. Leaders picked a plan from BlueCross-BlueShield called Blue Advantage. It is a smaller package covering the most common services.
It caps chiropractic care at $1,000 per year, only covers weight-loss surgery when it is life-threatening and does not include vision or hearing exams. Now that the basic plan is set, individuals and businesses can start shopping for healthcare next fall.
This is not the final step though. Now that the state picked the plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will look it over. It will also be taking public comment.
Under the Affordable Healthcare Act, every state has to set a minimum standard of coverage. That means insurance companies and employers can not offer benefit packages with anything less than this benchmark plan.
Over the last few weeks the state has been taking public comments on what kind of plan to choose. Some want full coverage with lots of services included. Small businesses, on the other hand, want cost-effective plans.
Any package has to cover what's called the "Ten Essential Health Benefits." It includes things like prescriptions, care for expecting and new mothers and emergency services.
The state gets to decide on all the extras. Leaders picked a plan from BlueCross-BlueShield called Blue Advantage. It is a smaller package covering the most common services.
It caps chiropractic care at $1,000 per year, only covers weight-loss surgery when it is life-threatening and does not include vision or hearing exams. Now that the basic plan is set, individuals and businesses can start shopping for healthcare next fall.
This is not the final step though. Now that the state picked the plan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will look it over. It will also be taking public comment.
