Illinois gets $1M for consumer insurance help

Illinois has received a $1 million federal grant to improve how it helps consumers who have complaints about insurance industry practices.

Illinois Department of Insurance Director Andrew Boron announced the award Thursday. The funding comes through the Affordable Care Act, the national health care law.

The insurance department plans to add tools on its website that will help Illinoisans with questions about their rights and problems with their health plans. Boron says the upgrade will give more families and businesses access to services and helpful information.

The grant will allow the state to improve its interactions with consumers whose claims have been denied by their health plans. The department already helps consumers file appeals and request external reviews when a health plan drops coverage or denies payment on a claim.