• The Illinois Department of Insurance received a federal Exchange Planning grant of $1 million, in September 2010.

• The Department has also received two federal Level One Establishment grants-one for $5.1 million awarded in August 2011 and a second for $32.8 million in May 2012. Both grants will be used to conduct research on risk adjustment reinsurance, the navigator program, the certification of qualified health plans, and the SHOP exchange as well as to build the Governor’s health reform website. The majority of the funds will go to the states IT system, which is required for the exchange.

• The bipartisan Health Benefits Exchange Legislative Study Committee included six appointed legislators from each chamber

• Conducted an analysis of existing state benefit mandates, assessed benchmark plan options, held a public comment period, formed a workgroup on essential health benefits.

• Illinois plans to assume responsibility for the plan management functions of the partnership exchange.

For More Information:

• http://www.insurance.illinois.gov/hiric/hie.asp