Illinois: Cheap Health Insurance Coverage Expose
The old adage: “You get what you pay for,” is applicable to the cheap health insurance coverage. But, more and more underinsured are bamboozled by marketing jargon and the fine print exclusions. For some 40+ million Americans without health insurance, there is a lack of consumer information about buying a medical insurance policy.
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 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.
Fortunately, there are two tactics to prevent being the next victim of Illinois health insurance fraud.
1. Meticulously investigate the Illinois health insurance company. Contact the Illinois Department of Insurance to verify if the company is licensed and determine if there are any outstanding complaint files. If the provider claims that they are exempt from regulation or not licensed in your state, find another Illinois health insurance company.
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.