Illinois: Cheap Health Insurance Coverage Expose

By Holly Bentz

Cheap health insurance coverage in Illinois is as fabled as the tooth fairy. With more than 40 million uninsured Americans, many are duped by ambiguous terminology and fake insurance companies. In Illinois, cheap health insurance plans lack the benefits to cover a veritable medical emergency.

A small business owner of Elgin Illinois, who operated a snowplow business, a heart attack left him financially devastated. Despite his cheap health insurance coverage, unbeknownst to him - the company was a sham. A bogus health insurance company commandeered the premiums, which he paid for more than two-years.

Once upon a time, these health insurance scams affected a small percentage of the population. In the beginning of the millennium, approximately 100,000 policyholders were scammed by fake health insurance companies, accounting for more $85 million dollars of unpaid medical bills.

Counterfeit, cheap health insurance policies are no longer a minor issue. Today, the pervasive issue is a national problem, financially crippling Americans from Illinois and the other 49 states. Whether it's a faith based health plan (one offered at church), the dreaded disease health plan (a policy which promises to cover life threatening diseases, such as cancer, heart disease), or the discount medical card, the cheap health plan is true to its name and covers very little in the way of health care costs.

The cheap health insurance inflicts an aftermath of financial devastation. Once the unsuspecting policyholder develops an illness, necessitating hospital stay, these illicit insurance companies disappear without a trace. Meanwhile, consumers are saddled with an outrageous hospital bill, and the stigma of a "pre-existing medical condition," rendering them uninsurable.

Fortunately, there are two tactics to prevent being the next victim of Illinois health insurance fraud.

1. As due diligence is necessary, be sure to conduct your own background check, researching the health insurance company. Call the State of Illinois Attorney General's office to confirm that the company holds a current license and does not have any reports or complaints. If your investigation determines that the health insurance company is not licensed or if the agency alleges that they are exempt from adhering to regulatory guidelines, it is an indication to continue shopping for another policy.

2. Opt for an agent with a proven track record and a reputable insurance provider. Although you may pay a little more for the policy, it exceeds the uncertainty associated with the cheap Illinois health insurance coverage. - 29969

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here