New law: Illinois network adequacy requirements improving next year

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois health insurance companies will be required to properly document whether they have enough doctors and specialists to diagnose and treat patients.

A new law taking effect January 1 will make insurers provide documentation to the Illinois Department of Insurance showing whether or not their in-network hospitals have a sufficient number of specialists.

Sponsors said this is critical for people in rural areas who are frequently impacted by network adequacy issues.

"It's not like the doctors are making out," said Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora). "The patients are certainly being harmed by this. The only person winning is the insurance company. I really want to make sure that what's important here is the patient care."

Every health insurance company will be required to demonstrate that each of their in-network hospitals has at least one radiologist, pathologist, anesthesiologist and emergency room doctor by January, 1 2026.