Illinois Health Insurance: 2023 Coverage Guide

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Illinois Affordable Healthcare Insurance

People in Illinois have choices to make when it comes to buying health insurance for themselves and for their families. If you’re buying an individual or family health plan, it’s important that you make some informed decisions about your healthcare. So we created a guide to take you through the whole process, even before you start comparing plans. If you miss open enrollment, you may have to wait another year to buy a health plan. The only way you can buy health insurance outside the open enrollment period is if you have a qualifying event.

When Is Open Enrollment in Illinois?

November 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023

How to Get Health Insurance in Illinois

It’s a good idea to have a projection of healthcare costs before you make any buying decisions. Take a look at last year’s health plan. Did you spend a lot of money out-of-pocket due to copays? Was your deductible too high? Do you want something cheaper? You’ll need to take a look at how often you visited care providers last year to see what your behavior will be this year. You can then decide which type of coverage is right for you, and which level tier suits will be more economical. Sometimes, when you pay more each month, you save money over the course of the year because you have fewer out-of-pocket costs.

After you’ve determined how much health insurance and the type of coverage you’d like to consider, compare health insurance companies and health insurance quotes. After you submit a brief form you’ll see what different insurers have to offer, and we’ll match you with an agent who can best answer any questions you may still have.

What Types of Health Insurance Are Available in Illinois?

HMOs, EPOs, PPOs and POS plans are most commonly purchased in Illinois. However, you can also find short-term health insurance plans and catastrophic plans. Most often, people buy bronze, silver, gold or platinum plans. Take into consideration that bronze covers 60% of medical costs, silver 70%, gold 80% and platinum 90%. For those who see doctors frequently, a higher tier plan may cost more each month but may save them money overall. The higher the tier, the lower the deductible and copays/coinsurance.

Does Health Insurance Cover Pre-existing Conditions?

The Affordable Care Act made it illegal for marketplace health plans to deny anyone health insurance coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

Do I Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?

Common reasons people qualify for a special enrollment period:

  • If you lose or quit a job or if you change jobs or start your own business and need health insurance, you can buy a plan.
  • When you turn 26 and have to bounce off your parents’ plan, you can buy your own.
  • If you’re no longer eligible for coverage with your current insurer because you moved, you can buy a new plan.
  • When your Cobra extension ends, you can buy a new plan.
  • If you share a health plan with a spouse and lose coverage due to divorce, you can buy a new plan.
  • When you get married, you can buy a new plan with a spouse or add that spouse to your existing plan (or vice versa).
  • The birth or adoption of a child qualifies that child for a new health plan.
  • If you shared coverage with someone who passed away, you can buy a new health plan.
  • If you shared health coverage with someone who loses their health insurance due to a qualifying reason, you may buy a new health plan.

Is Health Insurance Required in Illinois?

California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Rhode Island, and DC still impose a tax penalty for residents who don’t have health insurance. Even though it’s not required in Illinois, buying health insurance may help you avoid medical bankruptcy.

How Much Is Health Insurance in Illinois?

The average cost of health insurance in Illinois for a 40 year old is about $536 a month. Health insurance is cheaper when you’re young and it goes up each year. Tobacco use increases health insurance rates.

How to Save on Health Insurance in Illinois

The best way to save on health insurance in Illinois is to compare rates based on the tier system. Beforehand, you’ll want to estimate your medical costs the way we described up top.

Find Affordable Health Insurance in Illinois

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Medicare in Illinois

Medicare is health insurance coverage for Americans ages 65 years and older. The government also allows younger people with disabilities to enroll in the program. Individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease (a permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant) can also sign up as can some individuals with severe mental health issues. Others who qualify for Medicare disability coverage are individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Most beneficiaries will receive Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Some people buy Medicare Advantage, which includes Part A and B as well as offering vision, dental and prescription drug coverage.

How Many People Are on Medicare in Illinois?

18% of the population in Illinois is covered by Medicare.

How Much Is Medicare in Illinois?

If you do not qualify for Medicare, you can buy it for $499 a month for Part A in 2022 and a standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B was $177.10, or even higher depending on your income.

Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage: What’s the Difference?

Medicare is a government subsidized health plan that is available to qualified Americans age 65 and older. Medicare Advantage is sold through private health insurance companies, but these policies are also regulated by the government. Medicare Advantage plans offer the same benefits as Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Advantage plans also offer more coverage for dental, vision, hearing and prescription drugs. Medicare Advantage plans have a maximum out-of-pocket limit. For 2022, it was $7,550 but many plans set their maximums at a much lower cost. That is why it’s important to compare companies. People who opt for original Medicare can buy Medicare Supplements to help with out-of-pocket costs. You cannot buy both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan during open enrollment, you will automatically be disenrolled from original Medicare.

How to Get Medicare Coverage in Illinois

You may automatically be enrolled in Medicare if you receive federal income, but you may have to sign up if you do not receive payments. Make sure you’re enrolled in Medicare early to avoid the penalty on Medicare Part B. Begin working with a trusted insurance agent to get the coverages you want. Just enter your zip code and answer a few simple questions.

Types of Medicare Plans Available

Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Cost Plans (only offered in certain areas), Demonstration/Pilot Programs (also called Research Studies; only offered in certain areas) and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

How Do I Qualify for Medicare?

To qualify for Medicare you must be a citizen of the U.S. or have been a legal resident for at least five years. If you are age 65 or older and you/your spouse have worked for at least 10 years (40 quarters) or you have a disability, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you most likely qualify for Medicare.

How Can I Save on Medicare in Georgia?

You can save on Medicare by signing up for Part B as soon as you’re eligible. People who enroll late must pay a penalty every year. If you’re interested in buying Medicare Advantage, you can shop and compare Medicare plans for the best value.

Find Affordable Health Insurance in Illinois

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Illinois State Health System Ranking

Ever wonder how your state stacks up when it comes to quality healthcare? The Commonwealth Fund published a report in 2020 on State Health System Performance. They took into consideration the access to quality care, health outcomes, and disparities in all 50 states. The scores for the Illinois Health System are listed below:

  • Illinois: Overall Ranking: 25 of 51
  • Illinois: Overall Performance: Above U.S. Average
  • Illinois: Access and Affordability: 16
  • Illinois: Prevention and Treatment: 31
  • Illinois: Avoidable Hospital Use and Cost: 38
  • Illinois: Healthy Lives: 19
  • Illinois: Health Care Disparities: 22

 

Illinois Health Insurance Coverage

The people of Georgia have different kinds of health insurance while some Georgia residents are not insured at all. See the breakdown below:

  • Private coverage: 54%
  • Medicaid: 20%
  • Medicare: 18%
  • Uninsured: 8%

Report: America's Health Insurance Plans

Illinois Health Insurance Companies

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation
  • Health Alliance Medical Plans
  • Medical Associates Health Plan, Inc.
  • Aetna Health Inc. (Pennsylvania) - Missouri
  • Aetna Life Insurance Company (Illinois)
  • Humana Health Plan, Inc (Illinois)
  • Humana Insurance Company (Illinois)
  • United Healthcare Services, Inc (Illinois)
  • UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (Illinois)
  • United Healthcare Plan of the River Valley, Inc.
  • United Healthcare Services Company of the River Valley, Inc.
  • Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company - Illinois
  • Connecticut General Life Insurance Company - Illinois
  • Coventry Health Care of Illinois, Inc.
  • Cigna HealthCare of St. Louis, Inc.
  • Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company (Illinois)
  • Coventry Health Care of Illinois, Inc.
  • Union Health Service

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