Illinois Health Insurance

Illinois has moderate insurance regulations that protect both you and the insurance company. It's important to familiarize yourself with them, so you can exercise your rights if the need ever arises.

This guide:

  • Describes important Illinois health insurance policy regulations.

  • Lists rules Illinois health insurance companies must follow.

Health insurance policies are regulated by each state's own health insurance laws. Illinois health insurance companies and policyholders alike must abide by established insurance laws.

Get a free health insurance quote

You can pick what coverage you want and set your limits and deductibles, before applying for more personalized rate info. This is a service that will provide you with competing quotes from local agents who can also offer help with setting coverage limits, deciding on a plan, etc.

Illinois health insurance policy provisions

Some of the most important Illinois health insurance laws are the ones that influence the health insurance policy specifically. These often offer you, the consumer, the most protection.

For one, Illinois health insurance is guaranteed renewable as long as you have not provided any false information on your application and have paid your premiums on time. This means, Illinois insurance companies cannot cancel your health coverage or refuse you renewal on the grounds of illness.

Also, for growing families, Illinois insurance laws require a provision in any policy that covers dependents to also automatically cover newborns and adopted children for 31 days.

Finally, medical conditions can be excluded from your Illinois health insurance coverage for a period of time if the conditions are considered to be ?pre-existing?.

The term ?pre-existing? is defined by state laws differently. Illinois health insurance laws define pre-existing conditions as ones you received medical treatment or were diagnosed with before the beginning of your Illinois health insurance policy.

Legally, Illinois health insurance companies are allowed to include exclusion periods for any condition that falls under this description. Illinois health insurance companies can also exclude coverage for pre-existing condition permanently by attaching an elimination rider to the policy.

Also, if you switch Illinois health insurance companies, they can impose their own exclusion period for any duration.

Regulating Illinois health insurance companies

Illinois health insurance laws do not contain strict health insurance company regulation. For instance, Illinois health insurance companies are allowed to refuse you coverage or charge you more for coverage on the basis of your health.

Since the cost of Illinois health insurance is NOT regulated by Illinois health insurance laws, you may be subjected to a steep increase in premiums as you grow older or your health declines.

However, as stated previously, once you purchase an Illinois health insurance policy, your health insurance company cannot deny your request to renew your health insurance policy.

Since this is the case, it is highly recommended that you buy Illinois health insurance while you are young and healthy to ensure you get comprehensive low costing coverage.

Temporary Illinois health insurance

There are times you may have breaks between your health insurance coverage. Instead of going without health insurance you should buy a temporary health insurance policy.

In Illinois, you qualify for a conversion policy if you are leaving a group insurance policy. Illinois health insurance conversion plans are not standardized, so their coverage can vary and their premiums can be quite high.

In order to obtain a conversion policy, you must complete and return the application within 31 days from the last day of your old policy's coverage.

More IL health insurance help

If you want more help getting the a good health insurance policy, read our guide to health insurance.

Also see the guide to Illinois small business health insurance.

To find out more about IL health insurance laws and regulations, visit the official website of the Illinois Department of Insurance.