SPRINGFIELD — With the strong support of State Senator Patrick Joyce, the Healthcare Protection Act was signed into law Wednesday. The act is a comprehensive plan tackling major issues in the health insurance industry and received bipartisan support in both chambers.

“There are some much-needed improvements in the health insurance industry, and this new law will make health care more accessible and transparent for all Illinoisans,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “These insurance companies are intended to protect patients, but oftentimes processes create more hurdles. I’m proud to support legislation to eliminate many of these barriers to care.”

The Healthcare Protection Act addresses several key areas, including "ghost networks," which occur when networks list providers who are not taking new patients, do not accept the patient’s insurance or are retired. Under the law, insurance companies will be required to update their in-network care directories to improve transparency for consumers. Further, the measure extends the ban on unchecked insurance rate increases to large group plans in Illinois ensuring access to affordable care, and, as of Jan. 1, 2026, will eliminate the process of step therapy where a patient is required to try a lower-cost prescription before receiving the more expensive, originally prescribed drug.

The new law will also improve health care accessibility and eliminate unnecessary barriers by banning prior authorization for mental health treatment and mandating the public disclosure of treatments requiring prior authorization.

“I’m no stranger to the health care system, and like so many others, I know the anxiety and fear that comes with navigating it,” said State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago), chief sponsor of the bill. “This new law makes real changes, putting patients and their doctors back in charge of their health care. Thank you to my colleagues and the leaders in the health care industry who helped us push this over the finish line.”

House Bill 5395 goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.