State To Decide On Essential Health Benefits

A public meeting next week will help determine which services should be covered by health insurance plans sold in Illinois.

Gov. Pat Quinn intends to choose a benchmark plan that will serve as a minimum standard by Sept. 30 to meet a federal deadline.

The national health law says 10 basic categories must be covered, such as emergency services, prescription drugs and maternity care. States have flexibility to determine a basic level of covered services and costs within those categories.

What's at stake is the cost of insurance and how broad coverage will be for Illinois patients.

The meeting will be held Wednesday in Chicago and by teleconference in Springfield. A chart comparing 10 potential benchmark plans is posted on the governor's website.

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