SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Gary Forby (D-Benton) was pleased with the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability’s (COGFA) vote yesterday afternoon to allow the state to enter into 90-day, short-term contracts with the a number of insurers, including Health Alliance, Humana, Personal Care and HealthLink.

COGFA’s decision comes on the heels of a Sangamon County trial judge’s ruling that prohibited the state from going forward with new, self-insured Open Access Plan (OAP) contracts with Personal Care and HealthLink. The ruling left the 434,000 people insured by the state with just three, limited options.

According to Senator Forby, of those three choices, Blue Cross’ Blue Advantage and HMO Illinois are available in only 38 counties – none of which are in his district.

"I’ve been getting calls from residents every day worried about a stoppage in their health care coverage because of this confusion," Senator Forby said. "The court’s ruling just a week before the deadline made people even more uneasy about the situation. Hopefully, this move by COGFA will alleviate residents’ concerns for now – at least for 90 days, or until we can see how it plays out in the courts."

The state took steps on Monday to appeal the judge’s ruling. If the courts still haven’t come to a conclusion within 90 days, it’s possible that COGFA could grant another extension.

State employees, dependents and retirees must make a decision regarding their health insurance provider by Friday. Those who have already submitted a new plan for Fiscal Year 2012 and want to make changes based on the new options will have until the end of business Friday to do so by fax, mail or in-person. Many individuals that have not made a decision yet and want to stay with their current provider do not need to submit any paperwork – depending on whether or not their insurance provider has agreed to a 90-day contract with the state. If they have reached an agreement with the state, they will need to choose a new insurer.

"Lots of people will be allowed to stay with their current providers because of the new, 90-day contracts. If they have not reached an agreement with the state, they will need to choose a new insurer," Forby added.