BlueCross and BlueShield of Illinois members who purchased Qualified Health Plans through Get Covered Illinois or directly through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) now have the ability to change policies through March 31, 2014 (the end of Open Enrollment). Policy changes are allowed only if:

1. The member feels that their current provider network creates a barrier to service and/or
2. The current provider network does not allow the member to access the provider he/she wants

Changes to Policies Purchased On and Off Exchange

Individuals who have purchased policies either through Get Covered Illinois or directly through BCBSIL can now make changes to their provider networks by changing policies. Members have the opportunity to change their health care policies through March 31, 2014 — the end of this year’s Open Enrollment. In order to make a change, members MUST meet the following requirements:

• Have submitted their first premium payment or have their original policy already in effect
• UPDATE: Retain their current metallic level and cost sharing reduction levels. (Previous information stated that members must retain their current deductible level. This is NOT the case; members must remain in their current metallic level in order to make policy changes.)
• Remain with their existing carrier
• Move to a more inclusive or broader network
• If the request is retroactive, any difference in premium is required

Other Off-Exchange Policy Change Requests

In addition to provider network changes, an individual member may also request changes to a policy purchased directly from BCBSIL (off-exchange) for any other reason, as long as the change occurs on or before March 31, 2014 – the end of this year’s Open Enrollment. These members must adhere to the effective date guidelines and must make changes by the 15th of the month to ensure the new policy is effective on the first day of the next month. If policy changes are made after the 15th, then the new policy will not be effective on the first of the next month and instead will become effective on the first of the month after. (For example, if changes are submitted on Feb. 18, the new policy effective date will be April 1.)