State Sen. Rezin ‘deeply disappointed’ Meridian health insurance drop will affect ‘thousands’ of Illinoisans

State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, is asking major health insurer Meridian to reopen contract negotiations with Northwestern Medicine amid news that tens of thousands of Illinoisans will be affected when Meridian drops the health system from its network in the new year.

Rezin’s office issued a statement Tuesday expressing the lawmaker’s reaction to the news.

“I am deeply disappointed to learn that Meridian Health and Northwestern Medicine have been unable to resolve their ongoing dispute, which will leave thousands of Illinois residents in limbo,” Rezin said in the statement.

Beginning Jan. 1, affected patients will need to choose a new plan if they want to continue getting care at Northwestern Medicine. To see if you qualify for temporary coverage extensions, visit www.nm.org or call 877-973-2673 to transfer medical records.

[ Meridian health insurance to drop Northwestern Medicine from network in 2025 ]

The health system confirmed the changes to Shaw Local this month.

Meridian’s decision is expected to affect “tens of thousands” of patients, including many who receive their health insurance through Medicaid, a service offered to low-income qualifying patients, said Christopher King, a spokesperson for Northwestern Medicine.

“It’s unfortunate because they’re the ones that dropped Northwestern Medicine,” King said previously. “That was not an us decision.”

The health system in total sees about 1.2 million patients across its 11 hospitals and 200 other locations.

Rezin said she wants the companies to find a solution that helps her constituents.

“I strongly urge representatives from both organizations to return to the negotiating table and work toward a resolution that ensures continued access to essential medical services for the people they serve,” Rezin said in her statement.

Medicaid provides health insurance to almost 3.5 million people in Illinois, including low-incoming qualifying adults, children, pregnant people and those with disabilities, according to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

“I will continue to monitor this situation closely and explore all possible avenues to protect the health care needs of those relying on Meridian Health and Northwestern Medicine,” Rezin said.