UPDATE: Small Groups Can Still Renew Early

We would like to provide a greater level of detail to you about the Illinois Department of Insurance following the government’s lead regarding recent changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This clarifies and has more information regarding the options we have for small employer groups who choose to keep their 2013 plans that were in effect on or before October 1, 2013.

Small Employer Groups Options

Option 1

Small employer groups can accept the early renewal option provided to them this past fall.  If a group did not choose to accept this offer and wishes to at this point, they must notify us immediately of this choice by sending in the required forms that were provided with the offer. Please note the options under this choice:

Option 1a

If a small group chooses to accept their early renewal option, (having effective dates of October 1, November 1, or December 1, 2013) and did NOT make any changes to their 2013 plan, they will be given the opportunity in the fall of 2014 to early renew again and keep their same plan through September 30, 2015. They will then be offered a renewal with an ACA compliant plan design with an effective date of October 1, 2015.

Option 1b

Small groups who chose to accept their early renewal option with a new effective date of November 1 or December 1 AND chose to CHANGE their existing plan design will NOT be offered an additional early renewal option in the fall of 2014. Their next effective date will be January 1, 2015 and they will be offered a renewal with ACA compliant plan design.

Option 2

Small groups that do not choose to renew early will follow their current, normal renewal schedule and will be offered these options:

Option 2a

At their renewal, choose to renew on an ACA compliant plan design under a 12-month policy

Option 2b

At their renewal, choose to renew on their current plan design under a 12-month policy

If you have any questions, contact your client consultant.