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.
Today, these bogus cheap health insurance policies are national, affecting people in Illinois and across the nation. From the discount medical card, the dreaded disease policy (a policy which says that it covers chronic ailments such as cancer, heart disease) to the faith-based health plan, these inexpensive health scams cost the consumer in the end.
The worst scenario is when the policyholder is hospitalized or diagnosed with a chronic illness. Not only are these consumers left with mounting medical bills, but they are no longer eligible for another policy because, they are now labeled with a “pre-existing health condition,” uninsurable by many health insurance providers.
Avoiding fraud in the pursuit of obtaining Illinois health insurance is a matter of following two consumer smart strategies:
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. Search for a reputable insurance agent. Even though the insurance provider will not guarantee cheap health insurance coverage in Illinois, a legitimate policy will prevent any unforeseen medical expenditures and a health plan with a known insurance provider.
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