2016 Changes to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Blue Choice PPO Plan

KishHealth System is urging area residents to evaluate their individual insurance plans, checking to see that their preferred hospital and physician(s) will remain in-network providers in 2016. Major changes were made by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), dropping its broadest plan offered on the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2016. According to Michael Deering, a Blue Cross spokesman quoted in a September Crain’s Chicago Business article, The Blue PPO plan being taken off the market for 2016 had a network that included every hospital in Illinois. The new plan, Blue Choice Preferred PPO, which many participants are automatically being enrolled in, only includes half of the hospitals in Illinois. Beginning January 1, 2016 Kishwaukee and Valley West Hospitals will not be in-network hospitals with the BCBSIL Blue Choice Preferred PPO plan. There are no anticipated changes to the other BCBSIL PPO or HMO plans, including group plans, and both hospitals will remain in-network for such plans.

Individuals who are currently using KishHealth System hospitals for their services, and are covered under BCBSIL individual insurance plans for 2015 could be affected. Not all physicians and facilities that were part of these plans in 2015 are part of the new plan offered in 2016. KishHealth System was not offered the option by BCBSIL to participate in the Blue Choice Preferred PPO plan in 2016.

Get Covered Illinois, the Health Insurance Marketplace is currently open for enrollment. KishHealth System is an in-network provider for a number of other insurance plans offered to participants, including Health Alliance, AETNA/Coventry, Humana and Land of Lincoln. Residents should carefully research their options and preferred providers before choosing their 2016 coverage as individuals and families. The full list of insurance providers currently contracted with Kishwaukee and Valley West Hospitals can be found at www.kishhealth.org, and questions can be directed to the KishHealth System Business Office by calling 800.397.1521 ext. 153386.