Illinois uses state-run ACA exchange to extend deadline

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois residents now have until Jan. 31 to enroll in health insurance through Get Covered Illinois, as the state extends the deadline by 16 days to give consumers more time amid uncertainty over federal Affordable Care Act subsidies.

State Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, a practicing physician, said the extension highlights one of the core advantages of Illinois operating its own health insurance exchange rather than relying solely on the federal Healthcare.gov platform.

“I don’t think they’re going to struggle to get enrollees,” Hauter told TCS. “I think that actually is probably exactly what they wanted, in that you couldn’t extend the enrollment deadline with the federal plan.”

Get Covered Illinois says the extension gives consumers more time to compare plans amid record enrollment. Marketplace Director Morgan Winters said the state-run exchange has the authority and resources to expand access to affordable coverage.

“Illinois decided to go with its own system. We used to go through the federal government, but with how often the state is at odds with federal policy, lawmakers anticipated those changes and moved to Get Covered Illinois, like many other states have done. That gives Illinois more control — especially in situations like this, where the state can extend enrollment deadlines multiple times,” said Hauter.

Hauter said flexibility matters as Illinois residents face uncertainty over federal funding and potential changes to ACA subsidies.

“Now that Illinois and other states are facing kind of the unknowns, changes to federal funding and to the subsidies for the ACA, being able to do it from a state administrative website has made it easier for them to extend the deadline in the face of all these changes,” Hauter said.

According to a news release, Illinois invested nearly $7 million in navigator grants and deployed more than 140 navigators and 9,000 certified brokers to help residents enroll through Get Covered Illinois.

Hauter acknowledged that navigators can be useful, but questioned whether the state’s cost estimates will hold up.

“I’d be very surprised if that’s all it was,” Hauter said of the $7 million figure. “They say it’s one price, and then we find out it’s much more. I anticipate when the final budget numbers come out that it’s going to be much, much higher for the whole process.”

Hauter also warned that while consumers may see lower premiums through Get Covered Illinois, the state-run marketplace still carries taxpayer costs.

Under the current system, Illinois residents seeking ACA coverage must enroll through Get Covered Illinois rather than Healthcare.gov. Hauter said the plans and premiums remain largely unchanged, with administration shifting from federal to state control.

“They’re offering the same programs and healthcare premiums,” he said. “It’s now being administered by Illinois instead of the federal government.”

Despite those concerns, Hauter said the extended enrollment period benefits patients caught between jobs, subsidies, and shifting federal policy.

“I think extending the enrollment deadline is good for patients,” Hauter said. “The state-run marketplace is more flexible, and that’s probably been better for families right now.”

While supportive of flexibility during a period of federal uncertainty, Hauter said long-term healthcare affordability depends on moving more residents into private, employer-based insurance rather than subsidized programs.

“The best thing for the state is getting people onto private insurance, ideally through their employer,” Hauter said. “That’s better than keeping people in heavily subsidized marketplaces or Medicaid.”

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