Answers to Commonly Asked Health Insurance Questions
We like to think that we’re unlike the majority of Illinois health insurance brokers, for several reasons. For starters, we only handle health-related insurance coverage. Many brokers are involved in everything from auto and homes, to investments and retirement planning. And while there’s certainly nothing wrong with that, we feel that concentrating 100% of our efforts on health insurance for Chicago area residents allows us to provide the best experience possible.
In addition, we are highly established and are consistently ranked among the top-rated brokers in our area for close to a decade. We have longstanding ties with the healthcare industry’s most trusted carriers, allowing us to work efficiently in finding you the best coverage without any of the drama you might expect. Our customers and clients will be the first to tell you that we are as low-pressure as they come. The last thing anyone wants when shopping for medical insurance is to feel pressured, or obligated to buy. We are a very laid back group of dedicated professionals who would rather lose a sale than see someone sign for a plan that doesn’t suit their needs, or the needs of their family or employees.
Is this conventional? Not really, but that’s just how we operate. We want you to be as happy with us 20 years from now, as you are on the day you choose you joined our family of customers. And we work hard, every day, to make that happen.
Will I be able to save money on my IL health insurance?
In most cases, yes. On average Premier Financial Insurance has been able to save our customers and clients anywhere from 20-40% on their monthly premiums. And there is a reason for this. People end up paying more than they should for health insurance for a number of reasons. Nine times out of ten it is because they either signed up for a plan that wasn’t right for them, or they purchased coverage that far exceeded their genuine needs. There are more than a few agents out there who will advise their prospective customers to immediately consider the most expensive plan(s) available, for reasons that are clearly selfish. We take a different approach, however.
Before we ever look at plans and policies types and monthly premium options, we get to know the people we’re dealing with. We like to find out their short and long term goals regarding their family, housing situation, lifestyle and activities and other attributes that play a key role in determining what they realistically need from their health insurance provider. This ultimately results in them choosing a plan that is comprehensive, easy to manage and affordable.
Which major Illinois insurance carriers does Premier Financial Insurance offer?
Premier Financial Insurance has built its reputation by working with the most well-known and trusted health insurance carriers. This includes Humana, BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, United Healthcare, Principal, Mutual of Omaha, Banner, John Hancock, Chubb, Axa and others. The relationship we’ve forged with these companies over the years allows us to keep up-to-date and current on the latest news and industry updates.
Major carriers are constantly evolving and looking for ways to provide better coverage to those they serve. Our close relationship with the major carriers makes it possible to offer you and your loved ones the best coverage for the lowest price possible.
Do you charge a fee for your services?
Not at all. Health insurance brokers are paid directly by the carrier for their services. Understandably, this has led some to wonder what the benefits of working with a broker are. Look at it from this perspective: When you call up a carrier and say, “I need health insurance,” you are automatically limiting yourself or your family to what that specific carrier offers. Now, you could spend hours or days calling the various carriers, waiting to speak to the right department and taking lots and lots of notes.
If you don’t have the time and patience that is needed to spend hours on the phone with numerous insurance representatives, you can simplify the process by working with a health insurance broker, like us. We will sit down with you, discuss your unique situation, and then show you numerous options from several carriers based on the information you’ve provided. It really is a much easier and less stressful way to purchase health insurance in Chicago.
Do you offer small group plans for Chicago businesses?
We do. In fact, small business health employee benefits and group health plans are among our most notable specialties. We prefer to work with small businesses as opposed to much larger, major corporations. This is not a slam on corporations; rather, it becomes difficult to maintain that personable, family feel when there are hundreds, even thousands of people involved. Working with smaller groups makes it possible for us to get to know the people we’re working for, and to provide even more personalized service when it comes to their health care needs.
Isn’t it cheaper to get health insurance through my employer?
There is a catch to the low premiums that often come with company-provided healthcare plans. Yes, they do often cost a little less than what you would pay on your own. However, as many have found out, the coverage can be very “cookie-cutter”. If you have preexisting conditions, require special prescription medications or had a bad past experience with the carrier your employer has selected, it can end up being a stressful arrangement. This is one of the best reasons to consider working with a broker such as us. We give you a diverse range of options in a wide variety of price tiers. Not only does this give you total freedom over your plan,. It also ensures complete privacy and separation from the eyes of your employer.
How much health insurance do I really need?
When deciding how much Illinois health insurance you need, there are several factors which should be taken into consideration. First, understand why you're buying health insurance in the first place. Take a realistic look at your lifestyle, health history and family medical conditions, and make a decision based on that. If your family has a history of cancer or heart disease, you may want to consider a low-premium/high deductible plan, and add a Critical Illness plan to protect against the possibility of high medical expenses and lost work during recovery. If you have a family and your employer does not offer an adequate health care plan, it will help immensely to work with a broker who can shop various policies to find the most thorough medical coverage at the best price.
Why should I consider a high-deductible IL health plan?
Never lose sight of the fact that health insurance is intended to offer financial protection in the event of major, catastrophic events, such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, surgery, and others. Today, too many people look for the lowest numbers when choosing a plan, without ever taking time to consider what they're getting in return. Automatically choosing the lowest premium might sound like a great idea, but if you're only thinking in terms of routine doctor office visits and prescription discounts, that super low-premium plan might not offer the financial protection you need in the event of an emergency. By looking at your healthcare expenses in the long term, you will end up with a plan that offers all the protection you need.
How long will I need to wait before my coverage kicks in?
Effective dates vary from carrier to carrier. Some will provide coverage upon receipt of your first payment, while others have a 14 day waiting period. If you need coverage immediately, please let us know in advance and we will do our very best to find a plan that makes that possible. Under Open Enrollment, new policies need to be activated by the 15th of the month in order to kick in on the upcoming 1st of the month.
Do you have additional questions on health insurance, Obamacare, or how Premier can help? Call us anytime at 800-369-0287, or send us a message in confidence through our secure e-mail forum.