IL Health Insurance Articles & Info

Enrollment for 2021 Medicare plans begins on October 15th and will run until December 7th 2020.  As with past enrollment periods, there are some plan changes that are new for 2021, including a few which have been implemented to help beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a complex topic...

One of the less talked-about aspects of COVID-19 and its effect on commerce, is the profound impact it is having on businesses who are in the process of group health plan renewals.  We’ve all heard about the layoffs, the furloughs, and the temporary closures, though there seems to be limited discuss...

No one needs to be reminded of how significantly things have changed in 2020, as virtually every aspect of day to day life has been affected by the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.  This is especially true for business owners and HR managers, as many have found themselves in the uncomfortable position...

As Illinois gradually begins the process of reopening after three long months of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, Premier wanted to take a break from our health insurance forum to go over a few ways to help support the small businesses who have been hit exceptionally hard by the pandemic.   Shop at...

We at Premier thought we  would take a break from our traditional health insurance blog forum to share some feedback from clients, friends, and others in the Chicagoland area who have told us how they’re keeping their families sane, safe and active during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.     Fa...

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected virtually every aspect of how millions of people live, work and socialize.  Additionally, it has forced many to reconsider their decision to not carry health insurance coverage for a variety of reasons.  Countless Illinois residents who chose not to purchase a poli...

We wanted to take a few moments to go over some of the more pressing issues surrounding health insurance and how it’s been affected by the current Coronavirus pandemic.  As you know, the world is facing an unprecedented health epidemic right now, and one that none of us have ever seen in our lifetim...

With the 2021 Open Enrollment closed until next November, many have been left wondering which types of coverage can be purchased at any time during the calendar year.  For those new to the process of buying your own medical insurance—whether you recently left your job, started a business, or lost co...

When you consider the volume of information we absorb each day, the number of busy people who inadvertently miss the health insurance Open Enrollment deadline is not surprising. And of course, the question ultimately becomes, is there any way to buy health insurance after Open Enrollment?  We’re ple...

Countless Illinois businesses have already renewed their 2020 employee health insurance plan, and as many have discovered, group premiums are once again on the rise.  Some saw only modest increases and some remained flat, however, a concerning number have faced renewal premiums that increased signif...

If you’re among the many who purchase their own health insurance—whether as an individual, a couple, or a family—the 2020 Open Enrollment period kicks off November 1st and will run until December 15th of 2019.  That said, if you need active health insurance benefits on the first day of January 2020,...

Based on the group health renewal rates that we’re already seeing in Illinois, it’s clear that many companies who offer their employees health insurance are going to be facing premium increases that can range anywhere from subtle to substantially concerning.  This, of course, is never welcome news i...

There’s no shortage of valid reasons for someone missing the 6-week open health insurance enrollment that runs from November to mid-December, and we’ll explore several of these more closely later in the article.  But when you do, in fact, find yourself without health insurance after the start of the...

Open enrollment for 2019 health insurance coverage began on November 1st and will run until December 15th 2018.  And while that may seem like a ways off, it’s not a tremendous amount of time to determine which plan you’re going to commit to for the upcoming year.  Like previous years, there are n...

The Affordable Care Act made significant changes to the way families and individuals went about buying health insurance, as well as the specific types of plans that could be purchased.  Temporary health insurance coverage, or short-term plans, have been historically popular with a wide range of peop...

For businesses who’ve enrolled in contribution-based and self-funded structures, no reminder is needed on the importance of encouraging a healthier staff.  Many of today’s group health plans are set up in a manner that allow employers to pay only for the healthcare expenses that get used.  And this...

Late spring and summer are among the most popular times for Illinois’ companies to renew their employee health insurance plans.  And as healthcare continues to evolve, with it comes no shortage of questions from those looking to get the most from their healthcare dollars. Whether you’re hoping t...

As many need no reminder, the cost of offering health insurance benefits to your employees has done nothing but skyrocket over the past few years.  Not that it was ever cheap, but today, things seem to have gone completely off the rails.  Group premiums are at all-time highs, and they continue to ta...

Now that the 2017-2018 health insurance Open Enrollment period has ended, many have found themselves without medical coverage and scrambling for options.  So what do you do if you, for whatever reason, missed the enrollment period and still need to make sure you and your loved ones are covered? ...

With the 2018 Open Enrollment well under way, two topics remain at the forefront of its discussion.  The first is centered around the significantly shortened 8 -week signup period.  This is something brand new to the process, as previous Open Enrollments have lasted approximately three months.  Offi...

With the 2018 health insurance Open Enrollment underway, we now have a better idea of what to expect in terms of renewals, dates, premiums, and other important considerations.  And just like the past four years, this year’s enrollment comes with a number of changes that can significantly affect...

While the exact figures aren’t in as of the time of writing this, it’s safe to assume that many Illinois-based companies will be faced with the real prospect of group health plan premium increases.  We’re already seeing evidence of this, despite just now entering the period of peak renewal for many...

Buying dental insurance has become just as confusing as health insurance has, thanks to the many changes that came with healthcare reform and the Affordable Care Act. In the past, you could essentially select any carrier at any point of the year, compare coverage options and simply choose the one th...

With Spring in full swing and summer inching closer by the day, many soon-to-be-newlywed couples are scrambling to make the final preparations for their big day. Almost ironically, one of the most often overlooked aspects of wedding planning has very little to do with the big day, itself... though i...

Whether you're making a major life change this year and need help with special enrollment, starting a business, shopping for life insurance, or even getting an early jump on Medicare research, Premier in Lisle has been offering free expert assistance with Illinois health insurance since 2003.  We wo...

In the many years leading to the onset of healthcare reform and the Affordable Care Act, short-term and temporary medical coverage were as common and familiar as traditional plans are today.  Recently hired employees relied on them as a way to stay covered during new-hire grace periods, and many emp...

While most people are quite familiar with the various types of traditional health insurance, the term ancillary coverage remains a bit of a mystery.  Perhaps this is because many of the plan types under the ancillary blanket are more commonly referred to as supplemental health insurance.  In short,...

As of the time of this writing which, ironically, comes one week after the American Health Care Act was introduced, the only compliance-friendly way of purchasing traditional health insurance is under the ACA Special Enrollment provision. If the term is new you, Special Enrollment is a section of th...

Now that the 2017 open healthcare enrollment is well in our rearview, many of those who opted not to buy coverage have asked us which types of health insurance can be purchased after the cutoff date.  In the spirit of keeping things as uncomplicated as possible, let's review some of the things you n...

It will come as a surprise to no one that healthy bottom lines are directly related to healthy employees. A health-minded staff will be more productive, less likely to call-in sick, and far more motivated than employees who are constantly dealing with illness and ongoing health issues.  Whether you'...