Illinois HRP

Illinois’ high risk pool, the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (ICHIP), became operational in 1989. Total enrollment in ICHIP was approximately 16,550 as of January, 2007. In 2006, premiums were set between 125 and 150 percent of the average charged for comparable coverage. ICHIP operates two programs:

• The traditional ICHIP covers the medically uninsurable and is funded by premiums paid by participants and state general funds. Enrollment in traditional ICHIP was approximately 5,800 in January of 2007.
• HIPAA-CHIP covers Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) qualified individuals and is funded through member premiums and an assessment on the insurance industry. From 2004 through 2006, federal grant funds helped offset premium.   Premiums are set at 135 percent of the average charges for comparable services. At the beginning of January 2007, approximately 10,750 persons were enrolled in this portion of ICHIP.