| The increasing costs of health care have made | | | | upon the plan. |
| health insurance an absolute necessity. | | | | |
| Health insurance is more useful for people | | | | Illinois has special programs like KidCare |
| who have bad health records, addictions like | | | | and FamilyCare. Illinois is the first state |
| alcohol or smoking ,or who are likely to have | | | | to offer health insurance coverage for all |
| future health problems. But everyone should | | | | the children in the state. The FamilyCare |
| have a health insurance policy to meet any | | | | health insurance program covers all medical |
| kind of a health care need in the future. | | | | care, including doctor visits, dental care, |
| | | | hospital care, emergency care, specialty |
| There are many different kinds of Illinois | | | | medical services, prescription drugs and |
| health insurance plans available today, to | | | | others. The family has to meet certain limits |
| suit all kinds of people and their | | | | to be eligible for this scheme. The |
| requirements. There are plans from private | | | | qualifying annual income is up to 185% of the |
| insurance companies. Some are long-term | | | | federal poverty level, or about $36,000 for a |
| plans, while others are short-term plans. | | | | family of four. FamilyCare Assist, FamilyCare |
| Some plans are suitable only for children or | | | | Share, FamilyCare Premium and FamilyCare |
| the elderly. There are also group plans and | | | | rebate are the plans under this, depending |
| schemes such as Mediclaim provided by | | | | upon the family income. The family can pay |
| employers, and group health plans for very | | | | small monthly premiums ranging between $15 |
| small businesses. Then there are plans which | | | | and $40, depending upon the number of family |
| allow tax deductions and savings. The top | | | | members. The state of Illinois offers a |
| Illinois health insurance companies are: | | | | "safety net" program for individuals who have |
| UniCare, Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Illinois, | | | | been denied health insurance. Those who are |
| Humana One, Fortis Short-Term Medical, | | | | currently insured but are paying a higher |
| Celtic, American Medical Security, MedPlan | | | | premium, or those whose present insurance has |
| Access, Genesis Health System, GE Long Term | | | | a rider attached or is rated, are also |
| Care Insurance, and Fortis Student Select | | | | eligible to apply. |
| Health Insurance. | | | | |
| | | | There are many private Illinois insurance |
| The Illinois Department of Insurance provides | | | | companies that offer attractive deals on all |
| several public plans for people who cannot be | | | | kinds of health insurance. You can contact an |
| covered under private polices. The Illinois | | | | insurance agent to get the right health |
| Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) is | | | | insurance policy. The internet is also a very |
| a state program that provides insurance to | | | | good source for obtaining quotes, comparing |
| thousands of individuals who cannot be | | | | various policies and deciding on the best |
| otherwise insured. The various deductible | | | | one. There are many ways to apply for health |
| options under CHIP are: $500, $1,000, $1,500, | | | | insurance: online forms, downloadable forms, |
| $2,500, and $5,000. The different plans under | | | | submission of forms through e-mail and even |
| this are Plan 2, Plan 3 and Plan 5. CHIP | | | | phone-in applications. The typical process is |
| covers hospital services, professional | | | | submission of the application along with a |
| medical services, second surgical opinions, | | | | premium deposit or at least a non-refundable |
| outpatient prescription drugs and medicines, | | | | application fee; review of the application by |
| Orthoses or prostheses other than dental, | | | | the insurance company; and underwriting. The |
| diagnostic services, emergency services, | | | | process takes a minimum of 2 weeks and an |
| skilled nursing facility care, home health | | | | average of one month. |
| care, hospice care and many others, depending | | | | |