IL Health Insurance Articles & Info

Now that we've officially arrived at the halfway point of this year's open enrollment period, we've had time to gauge some of the more pressing and commonly-voiced concerns.  Here are ten of the most frequently asked questions among those shopping for medical insurance, as well as those looking...

If you've been keeping up with all of the recent and forthcoming health insurance industry changes, you may have come across a term that was brand new to you.  EPOs, or Exclusive Provider Organizations, have actually been around for years.  In light of ongoing premium increases and large network PPO...

If you haven't been holed-up in some remote mountain shack for months, it's safe to assume that you're aware of the widespread changes coming to health insurance in 2016.  Premium increase notices have been going out in droves, and countless families and individuals have learned that their plans are...

It's become clear that few people will be exempt from the 2016 health insurance premium increases already in place, and scheduled to take effect after the first of the year.  According to a report in the Washington Post, consumers who purchased Silver health plans on the healthcare.gov website can e...

Now that we're a few weeks into the 2015-2016 health insurance open enrollment period, it's become clear that this one stands out among the most unique.  In this article we're going to review some of the most concerning issues, before shedding some light on how to ensure that your coverage remains a...

As more individuals and families receive notifications regarding premium increases on their health and medical insurance, we've received many requests for information on the various options available.  Many will see their plan cancelled at the end of the year, while an equally concerning number are...

In an announcement made to Illinois health insurance agents recently, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, the state's largest and most influential health insurance carrier announced that it will no longer be offering large-network PPO coverage to those with Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum health pl...

For months now, there have been rumors floating around regarding the subject of 2016 group-health premium increases.  As many hardworking businesses are finding out right now, these were far from being just speculation.  Some businesses are facing renewal increases that range anywhere from 20-40%, a...

5 Things Your Company Can Do to Keep 2016 Rates Affordable When it was announced that group health insurance premiums would be subject to sharp increases in 2016, an average of 20-40% based on industry chatter, it's safe to assume that small business owners from every industry felt a similar sin...

If we have learned anything from our history as an advanced and highly-industrialized society, it is that any measure of sweeping changes enforced on the People will always come with their fair share of wide-ranging speculation.  In the case of the Affordable Care Act and US health care reform, ther...

By now, most people have come to terms with the fact that health insurance, as we've collectively known it for decades, has been forever changed.  Even prior to the 6-3 supreme court ruling in favor of the Affordable Care Act and health insurance tax subsidies, social media and water coolers chats w...

Since the onset of the Affordable Care Act, many thriving companies have seen their group health rates soar to unexpected and unaffordable levels.  By subjecting groups to community ratings, fixed premium increases and other ACA-related stipulations, a concerning number of businesses are now paying...

Regardless of whether you've recently left your job to start a small business, or are making plans to branch out on your own, buying health insurance is something that many entrepreneurs will have to deal with; some quite possibly for the first time in their careers.  This was a big decision even be...

You certainly don't need us telling you about the importance of protecting your loved ones in the event of an untimely passing.  It's an issue that has been well publicized over the years, and is something that many hardworking people worry about every day.  Coincidentally, very few know where to st...

Now that the 2015 open enrollment is officially closed, it was announced that a limited one-week extension will be granted for those who were not able to sign up for health insurance in time.  The extension itself was issued to allow those who experienced technical difficulties during the final week...

With the close of the 2015 open enrollment just a few days away, Premier would like to extend a special invitation to those who need last-minute assistance signing up for Illinois health insurance.  On Sunday February 15th, our Lisle office will remain open until 9:00 that evening.  If you've been p...

With less than three weeks left in the 2015 health insurance open enrollment, it's clear that many people still have lots of questions and concerns when it comes to deciding which coverage is best for their unique situation.  In this article we wanted to go over some of the most frequently asked que...

With the 2015 open enrollment period in full stride, scores of Illinois residents are learning a hard lesson about how the new system of health insurance works.  Actually, this particular aspect is not quite that new.  But in light of how new the concept of open enrollment is to the general public,...

During the time leading up to open enrollment, thousands of individuals and families received notices informing them of their options for 2015 health insurance.  At face value it's pretty simple: If you like your existing plan, keep it and do nothing.  If you don't, you have the freedom to select a...

One of the most misunderstood aspects of buying health insurance under the new laws, is whether or not it is possible to get rates that are cheaper from one source to another.  Many are under the impression that dealing directly with the carrier will ensure the lowest premiums, while others have bee...

Even if you're among the most computer-savvy, signing up for health insurance online can be a little intimidating.  The system is essentially brand new to everyone, and this can increase the time that it takes to ensure that your plan is accurate and befitting of your real healthcare needs. We've...

With the 2014-2015 IL open enrollment period upon us, we understand that many residents still have a lot of questions on what it is, how to sign up, and what's covered.  Here are some of the most commonly asked questions that we're hearing at our agency about health insurance open enrollment.  Qu...

As many businesses eventually find out, hiring a payroll company to provide and manage your group health plan isn't always as good a decision as it originally seemed.  Yes, it might sound convenient to bundle your payroll and employee health benefits, but the simple reality is that there are too man...

As many families and individuals found out last year, making even the most simple mistake when signing up for health insurance can be costly, stressful and surprisingly time consuming.  The process of shopping for healthcare coverage has changed drastically since the advent of the Affordable Care Ac...

Many Humana health insurance policyholders are going to be in for quite a shock, as they learn that their plan will be cancelled at the end of the year.  Notices have been going out to an untold number of Humana's customers, informing them that their health plan would be terminated after December 31...

Healthcare reform, as virtually every US citizen knows, has initiated a seemingly endless series of changes to the process of shopping for health insurance.  And it should come as no surprise that businesses offering health plans, continue to be among the groups most significantly affected by the Af...

There has been a great deal of speculation over how businesses, based specifically on their size, will be affected by the Affordable Care Act.  Among the most pressing issues, businesses want to know how their rates are being determined, their obligation to offer a group health plan, and how much fr...

As the November 2015 healthcare open enrollment inches ever closer, the diversity of questions we hear at our agency continues to evolve.  Individuals and families are concerned about things like premium increases, tax credits and potentially having to renew policies they recently purchased.  At the...

If you're wondering how you're going to be able to afford health insurance this year, you're certainly not alone.  Healthcare reform has resulted in ongoing premium increases since its inception, and there's really no way to tell where the cap is at this point.  One of the groups affected most by th...

With summer on its way out, many people have been giving more thought to the upcoming open enrollment and process of applying for health insurance coverage .  Are the rules the same as they were last year?  Have new rules been added over the summer?  Do I enroll online, in person, over the phone?  A...