Best Health Insurance Agencies in Palatine

Frequently Asked Questions

• 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.
  

• Is it possible to enroll your 21-year-old child on your health plan in Palatine?

  Yes, if the adult child does not have coverage through their job, insurers in Palatine should allow them to remain on family plans until the age of 26. The new rule went into effect in September 2010, allowing parents to rejoin their children's insurance coverage after college graduation. Both married and unmarried dependents are eligible for this coverage. Beginning in 2014, children up to the age of 26 can remain on their parents' plan even if they have a job offer of coverage.

• What can people in Palatine do if they can't afford health insurance?

  In 2014, a new law made Medicaid accessible to all Palatine residents earning up to 133% of the federal poverty level. If a person does not qualify for Medicaid and cannot afford coverage, government subsidies may help cover the cost of private insurance offered through exchanges. Premium subsidies are available to individuals and families with incomes ranging from 133% to 400% of the FPL.

• What does it mean when a Palatine dental plan does not have a waiting period?

  In Palatine, patients with no-waiting-period dental insurance may be eligible for preventive care on the first day of coverage. The purpose of waiting periods is to dissuade individuals from purchasing insurance until they require a major procedure, then canceling the policy shortly thereafter. There are still procedures that dental offices can perform during a waiting period, but you will be responsible for all costs.

• What is the usual duration of waiting periods under the Palatine health insurance plan?

  Residents of Palatine should plan on a six-month to one-year wait, depending on the type of procedure. Some people may not have to wait for emergency care, whereas others may have to wait longer for more complex procedures. Different policies may provide varying levels of dental coverage. For example, service coverage may be 70% the first year, 80% the second year, 90% the third year, and 100% the fourth year. This is a strategy for encouraging preventative care through regular checkups.

• In Palatine, how can one acquire health insurance?

  A private insurance policy between the insured and the insurance company, or an employer-sponsored insurance policy, are the two options for obtaining health insurance in Palatine. Medicare also provides health insurance to the disabled and elderly. Medicaid is a federal insurance program administered at the state level that assists those with low incomes in accessing healthcare. In comparison to private health insurance policies, Medicare and Medicaid programs both provide health insurance at a lower cost.

• 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.