In his statement, Sen. Durbin said top officials from Chicago-based Health Care Service Corporation — operator of BCBSIL — met with him in April to discuss their deficits and possible departure from Illinois. In addition, earlier this month BCBSIL requested rate hikes between 23 percent and 45 percent for individual plans on the state’s 2017 Affordable Care Act exchange.
Sen. Durbin said HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell sent a team to Chicago to understand BCBS’ problems in Illinois specifically. Based on nationwide observations, HHS recommended BCBSIL could be more competitive, lower costs, and still offer quality care in the state and other states.
“I hope BCBS took those recommendations seriously,” reads Sen. Durbin’s statement. “I trust that the Illinois Department will hold BCBS to an honest standard which requires reform of their practices reflecting the new healthcare marketplace, professional management of their company, and a sensitivity to the costs to be borne by businesses and consumers in our state.”
The Illinois Department of Insurance has until Aug. 23 to review rate requests and attempt to lower them, the Chicago Tribune reported. Pending approval, rate changes will take effect Jan. 1.
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