Illinois Temporary Health Insurance – Your Short Term Coverage Option
Temporary health insurance seems simple enough to understand – it is what it sounds like, coverage for a short period of time.
You might ask yourself, why would I need this? Well, temporary coverage is not for every situation; however, it might come in handy when you least expect it.
Short term health plans in Illinois provide individuals and families much needed coverage during certain coverage gaps.
If any of the following examples apply to you, then you might be in the market for short term health insurance:
- You or a spouse are switching jobs and there might be a waiting period of three months before you are able to get on your new group’s health insurance;
- Your COBRA is about to run out, but you are still looking for employment that provides group health insurance;
- You and your spouse are both retired, you are closer to Medicare by 6 months and you are carrying the coverage for both. When you reach Medicare, the group retirement plan you are one is dropped and your spouse is in need of coverage;
- You are unemployed with no option of COBRA, yet still understand the value and importance of health insurance;
- You are applying for individual health insurance but do not want a lapse in coverage while you are going through the process of underwriting;
- You are 6 months away from Medicare; have no retirement health benefits and COBRA is more than you can handle financially;
Short term health insurance in Illinois has many different options. As an independent, authorized senior general agent (SGA) for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, our short term choices and benefits are as follows:
- Choice of benefit periods and deductibles
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 month benefit period
- $500, $1000, $1,500, $2,000, $2,500 or $5,000 deductibles
- 80% coverage level (what the policy pays) – 20% co-insurance (what you pay)
- Maximum out-of-pocket expense limit after deductible is met is $1,000 (individual) then the policy will cover 100% of eligible covered services for the remainder of the contract term
- Supported by one of the largest contracting hospital and physician networks in Illinois
- More than 200 Illinois hospitals and over 90% of Illinois doctors
- Inpatient/outpatient medical/surgical/hospital services
- Diagnostic services (lab and X-ray)
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Emergency care
- Office visits
- Prescription drug coverage
Am I eligible?
Depends, if you are a legal citizen of the U.S. and Illinois resident under the age of 65 and not entitled to Medicare benefits – then the answer is yes you are eligible.
Am I subjected to underwriting?
No, there is no underwriting for the short term health insurance.
Can I be denied?
Yes, you can be denied short term health insurance if you answer “yes” to any of the 5 health questions on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois application.
How about pre-existing conditions?
Much like major medical or individual health insurance, pre-existing conditions can be a deciding factor in determining your insurability. A pre-existing condition means any disease, illness, sickness, malady or condition which was diagnosed or treated by a Provider within 12 months prior to your coverage date, or which produced symptoms within 12 months prior to your coverage date which would have caused an ordinary prudent person to seek medical diagnosis or treatment. Pre-existing conditions are not covered under the short term health insurance policy.
No matter how well you take care of yourself, unexpected health issues sometimes arise. Short term health insurance protects you, your spouse and your children essential, basic protection against unexpected accidents or illness.
To find out more about Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois temporary health insurance contact one of our qualified, insurance specialists and allow them to assist you in identifying the right options based on your needs.
