Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council

Congratulations to UnitedHealthcare on this exciting announcement!

UnitedHealthcare continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving the healthcare experience for patients and families. The company recently announced it will eliminate nearly two-thirds of prior authorization requirements for pediatric care, helping streamline access to care for children.

We are proud to have UnitedHealthcare as part of the ILHIC membership and applaud their efforts to pursue innovative solutions that improve healthcare access.

UnitedHealthcare Eliminates Nearly Two-Thirds of Prior Authorization Requirements for Pediatric Care We are a health care and well-being company made up of a diverse team around the world dedicated to making health care work better through two distinct and complementary businesses: Optum and UnitedHealthcare.

Have you recently enrolled in health insurance through the Marketplace and are not quite sure what happens next?

In our newest episode of The Council Covers It, host Kate Morthland is joined by Morgan Winters, Director of Get Covered Illinois, for a practical conversation about how consumers can confidently use their new health coverage.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Understanding common insurance terms
• How to check what your plan covers
• Finding in-network providers
• What to do if you receive an unexpected bill

Whether you are brand new to health insurance or just looking for a refresher, this episode is full of helpful tips and real-world guidance designed to make insurance easier to understand.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe so you never miss an episode!

I Selected Insurance on the Marketplace… Now What? - The Council Covers It Health insurance can sometimes feel like assembling IKEA furniture with no instructions and three leftover screws. In this episode of The Council Covers It, host Kate Morthland sits down with Morgan Winters, Director of Get Covered Illinois, to he...

We are proud to have UnitedHealthcare as a member and appreciate their announcement to reduce prior authorization requirements by 30% by the end of 2026. Efforts like these help reduce administrative burden, improve the patient and provider experience, and support more efficient access to care for consumers across the healthcare system.

We are honored to work alongside our members committed to improving healthcare access and delivery in Illinois and across the country!

Our commitment to easing prior authorization UnitedHealthcare is continuing our focus on reducing administrative complexity, improving the care experience and helping people access care more easily.

This quarter, we’re proud to highlight Molina Healthcare and The MolinaCares Accord for their community investment supporting maternal health in Illinois.

Through a $55,000 grant to the Springfield Urban League’s EmpowerHER program, this initiative is doing what works: meeting mothers where they are. From doula care to breastfeeding support, education, and community-based resources, these efforts are helping women navigate pregnancy and postpartum with confidence and care.

Why it matters: maternal health disparities in Illinois remain significant. Programs like EmpowerHER are designed to close those gaps by combining access, education, and trusted community support.

This is what it looks like to strengthen families and build healthier communities.

At ILHIC, this is what we mean when we say Amplify the Good!

🔗 Read more:

Amplify the Good: Molina Strengthening Maternal Care Through Community Investment — Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council ‍ ‍ At the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Council, Amplify the Good is more than a phrase. It is a Council honor that shines a light on the meaningful, often unseen ways our member companies invest in the health and strength of communities across Illinois. This quarter, we are proud to high

We are proud to recognize Molina Healthcare as a valued ILHIC member and to highlight the impact they are making in Illinois.

Through The MolinaCares Accord, Molina recently awarded a $55,000 grant to the Springfield Urban League to support the EmpowerHER: Uplift Black Mothers Program. This initiative expands access to doula services, breastfeeding support, community baby showers, and prenatal education.
Efforts like this help ensure mothers are supported, informed, and empowered at every stage, from pregnancy through postpartum.

We are honored to amplify Molina’s work and look forward to continuing to spotlight the impact our members are making across the state.

https://molinacares.com/the-molinacares-accord-presents-55000-to-springfield-urban-league-to-address-gaps-in-maternal-health/?

The MolinaCares Accord Presents $55,000 to Springfield Urban League to Address Gaps in Maternal Health - The MolinaCares Accord CHICAGO, Feb. 11, 2026 — The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Illinois (“Molina”), presented a $55,000 grant to support the Springfield Urban League’s EmpowerHER: Uplift Black […]

🚨 Deadline extended!
Illinois residents now have until January 31 to enroll in health insurance through Get Covered Illinois, the state’s official marketplace. More time to get covered. Don’t wait. ⏰

release

ILHIC is honored to recognize Aetna as this quarter’s Amplify the Good recipient!

Aetna, through the broader support of CVS Health, helped bring a $40,000 boost to the Chicago Park District’s Financial Assistance Fund. This contribution will allow more than 570 children to participate in after-school programming, health and wellness activities, and safe community spaces.

We are grateful for Aetna’s leadership, their commitment to community well-being, and their continued partnership as a valued ILHIC member.

Thank you, Aetna, for truly amplifying the good happening across Illinois.

Learn more about this impact here:
https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/about-us/news/chicago-park-districts-financial-assistance-fund-gets-40000-boost-cvs-healthr-grant
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Chicago Park District’s Financial Assistance Fund Gets $40,000 Boost from CVS Health® Grant to Help 570 Kids Attend After-School Programs and Connect to Wellness Resources and Active Living Opportunities CVS Health & Aetna hosted wellness and nutrition activities for Park Kids after-school program at Fosco Park in the Near West Side community during the check presentation

This Thanksgiving season, we are reflecting on the impact of gratitude and service across Illinois.

ILHIC was honored to join State Representative Sharon Chung in Bloomington and State Senator Doris Turner in Springfield to donate 100 turkeys to seniors, families, and neighbors who deserve a warm and dignified holiday meal. We are grateful as well for our partners at Turasky Meats, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Home Sweet Home Ministries, and St. John’s Breadline for helping make this possible.

These moments remind us why we do this work. When community leaders, local organizations, and the insurance industry come together, we can help ensure every family feels supported during a season meant for joy and togetherness.

Read our full Thanksgiving message:
👉 https://www.ilhic.com/ilhic-blogs/a-season-of-gratitude-serving-illinois-communities-together

Wishing you and your loved ones a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving. 🧡🦃

A Season of Gratitude: Serving Illinois Communities Together — Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council As Thanksgiving approaches, the Illinois Life and Health Insurance Council is reflecting on what this season truly represents: gratitude, community, and the responsibility we share to lift up our neighbors. This year, our team and member companies were honored to support families across Illinois thr

Elevated uncertainty in enrollment, policy impacts, and data availability is leading insurers to include higher risk margins in 2026 premium filings. Sometimes the biggest ingredient in the pot is the one you can’t see.
📎 Read the full brief:

actuary.org

Policy and enrollment changes will influence risk pool composition in 2026. Expiring enhanced premium tax credits may reduce enrollment, putting upward pressure on premiums.
📎 Read the full brief:

actuary.org