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VOL. 12 • NO. 45
WWW.THEINDEPENDENTNEWSPAPERS.COM
238896
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016
As backlog of state employee health bills grows, state finds savings in plans Illinois’ backlog of unpaid bills to cover state employee medical claims is nearing $3 billion, according to the Illinois Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Commission Executive Director Jim Long said because there’s no appropriation, the state can’t pay medical claims. Many payments are more than a year overdue, Long said, which puts pressure on medical providers. “A lot of providers are starting to ask for some payment up front,” Long said. Long said more than 360,000 members in the state’s various health plans are being affected. Those affected are a broad group, including “the executive branch of government, the legislative, judicial and all of the universities,” he said. Once an appropriation is made, the state can start paying on the claims and employees, their dependents and state retirees would then get reimbursed, Long said. Illinois State Medical Society President Dr. Scott Cooper cited the lack of state payments to medical providers as one of the issues that makes it difficult to recruit new medical professionals.
}In total there’s close to 7,500 dependents that were taken off the rolls simply because they were no longer eligible.” —Director Jim Long Despite the tremendous backlog of unpaid medical bills, however, the state was able to find some savings in health plans. Long said a recent audit program weeded out thousands of people who weren’t supposed to be included in the state’s group insurance plan, resulting in significant savings. “In total there’s close to 7,500 dependents that were taken off the rolls simply because they were no longer eligible,” Long said. “The estimated savings on that is about $32 million.” Additionally, the state was able to find an estimated $250 million in savings over several years by switching all state retirees to the Medicare Advantage Program, Long said.
Look what I found! At a recent Egg Hunt, 8-year-old Jacob found a Golden Egg, allowing him the privilege of choosing a whole basketful of treats.
Inside:
Police Reports......3, 6 Sports �������������������� 16 Viewpoint.................8 Classifieds..........20-21
photo by Paul DelGuidice
By Greg Bishop Illinois News Network
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