Best Health Insurance Agencies in Arlington Heights

FAQs

• Introduction

  If you're looking for health insurance for yourself or your family, an agent can help you save time, understand your options, and manage your costs. Insurance agents must be licensed in the state where they operate. They can provide information about on- and off-exchange plans to help you weigh all of your options, and they can see if you qualify for tax credits that can lower your monthly premiums. There's no cost to work with an agent, and they can help you save quite a bit by recommending the best plan for your needs. Here's what you should know before you get started.
  

• Do Arlington Heights employers have to provide their staff with health insurance?

  No, businesses in Arlington Heights with fewer than 50 full-time employees or the equivalent of part-time workers are not required to provide health insurance to their employees; however, businesses with 50 or more must provide minimum essential coverage or face a penalty. Employers who provide group health insurance must also provide a list of essential health insurance benefits authorized by the State of Illinois and a comparison of which benefits are covered by their insurance plan, to all employees.

• What should one consider when purchasing a health insurance policy in Arlington Heights?

  Understanding your total healthcare costs should be at the top of your priority list. Determine your exact monthly premium and other out-of-pocket expenses. You should also look into the physician and service network of your preferred health insurance plan in Arlington Heights. Some plan types allow you to choose your own doctors and healthcare facilities, whereas others impose restrictions or charge extra fees for out-of-network providers.

• Are deductibles and copayments required for essential health benefits for health insurance policyholders in Arlington Heights?

  Yes, all health insurance plans sold in Arlington Heights through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace require people to pay for most of their medical care out of their own pockets. Some preventative services are free, and some plans cover extra services so you do not have to pay anything out of pocket.

• Can an Arlington Heights employee opt to continue health insurance coverage even after losing his job?

  Yes, Arlington Heights residents who have lost their employer-based health insurance plan are eligible for COBRA Continuation Coverage for Workers and Employers, which provides group health coverage that would otherwise be terminated. The Uninsured Ombudsman Program, which assists and educates Illinois consumers who do not have health insurance, are about to lose health insurance, or cannot afford to purchase health insurance, is another option.

• What health insurance assistance is available for HIV patients in Arlington Heights?

  The Illinois Ryan White Part B Program offers CHIC-Premium Assistance to help with health insurance costs up to $750 per month for qualified plans. To qualify, individuals must:

  • Have HIV/AIDS diagnosis with recent CD4 and Viral Load results.
  • Provide proof of Third Party Payer Sources (such as Medicaid, Medicare, or other commercial/employer-based insurance).
  • Reside in Illinois with a valid home address.
  • Meet income criteria (not exceeding 500% of federal poverty level). To continue receiving assistance, all Arlington Heights applicants who have been approved must reapply every six months.

• How can you find affordable health insurance? 

  Affordable insurance is available through employers, Medicare, Medicaid, and the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, which offers subsidies in the form of tax credits. You can also purchase coverage through private insurance companies and independent agents. Nearly half of all Americans have employer-sponsored health insurance, and about 10% of the population is uninsured.

• What is health insurance?

  Health insurance policies are contracts that require an insurer to pay some or all of a beneficiary's health care expenses in exchange for a premium and deductible. Plans cover preventive care and emergency medical services arising from an injury or illness. They may also offer optional coverage for dental and vision.

• How do health insurance companies make money?

  Health insurance companies make money by collecting premiums from consumers and reinvesting the funds. Federal law requires insurers to put approximately 80-85% of collected funds toward claims, and 15-20% is used to pay for administrative expenses.

• What is subsidized health insurance?

  Subsidized health insurance is available exclusively through the Health Insurance Marketplace. This system applies federal tax credits that can reduce or eliminate premiums. Tax credits are available to consumers who earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level based on household size.

• What is a health insurance deductible? 

  A deductible is a fixed amount you must pay out-of-pocket before normal copays or coinsurance rates apply. Under the Affordable Care Act, some services, such as annual physicals and wellness screenings, must be covered at no charge.

• Is it illegal to not have health insurance?

  No. Starting in 2019, the federal government eliminated the penalty that applied to individuals who could afford health insurance but chose not to purchase it. Financial penalties still apply in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.

• Does health insurance cover therapy? 

  All Marketplace plans must cover behavioral health care services, including counseling, inpatient care, and substance abuse treatments. However, there are coverage limits, and preauthorization may be required.
  

• What is a copay?

  A copay is a fixed price that you pay at the time of service after your deductible is satisfied. Insurance companies set specific rates for primary and specialty care and other services, such as emergency room visits and X-rays. Alternatively, plans may have coinsurance rates that require beneficiaries to pay a certain percentage of covered charges.

• What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?

  The Health Insurance Marketplace is a federal service designed to help consumers compare and purchase subsidized health insurance plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act. A number of states operate their own insurance marketplaces, including California, Colorado, New York, and Pennsylvania.
  

• How can you find health insurance without a job?

  Individuals who don't have access to health insurance through their job can purchase ACA-compliant plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Off-exchange plans are also available through private insurers and independent agents. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives certain individuals who are losing their coverage the right to maintain the same plan for a limited time period. 
  

• Can you cancel health insurance at any time? 

  Consumers can cancel their health coverage at any time. Cancellations may be effective immediately or at a specified date. However, you must wait until Open Enrollment to sign up for a new plan unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment period.

• Can you have more than one health insurance policy?

  It's possible to have primary and secondary health insurance. This is most common with Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, including dual enrollees and individuals who purchase supplemental plans. Secondary plans can cover some additional expenses, but you're still responsible for premiums and deductibles.

• Is health insurance pretax?

  Premiums for employer-sponsored health plans are generally deducted from the worker's pretax income. The same is true for voluntary contributions made to Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts that are paired with a qualifying high-deductible health plan.

• How long can a child stay on a parent\'s health insurance policy?

  Children can stay on their parents' health insurance plan until their 26th birthday. There's a 60-day special enrollment period following this date. Exemptions allow disabled adult children to remain on their parents' policy beyond this age.

• Do you have to pay a health insurance deductible upfront?

  In most cases, out-of-pocket expenses for approved services count toward your deductible. However, it's increasingly common for hospitals to request all or part of the deductible upfront when scheduling major services, such as CT scans and surgeries.

• Do employers have to offer health insurance?

  The Affordable Care Act requires companies with at least 50 full-time employees to make essential health benefits available to 95% of their workforce. Companies that choose not to offer such benefits may have to pay a penalty.

• Is there a tax credit for having health insurance?

  The Advance Premium Tax Credit is a federal tax rebate designed to lower the cost of health insurance plans purchased through the Marketplace. Eligibility is based on income and household size. Consumers can decide how much of their tax credit to put toward their premiums.