My Options?

This information is in regards to a pre-Affordable Care Act insurance industry, and will only be current until the end of 2013. For the most up-to-date information please visit Navigator Profile.

  1. Coverage for Young Adults Under Age 26 —  If your parent’s insurance offers dependent coverage, you may be eligible to be covered on their policy until age 26.
  2. Health Insurance Through Work —  You may be eligible for coverage through work – your job or your spouse’s.
  3. Health Insurance Plans for Individuals & Families —  If you do not have job-based or other coverage, you may want to buy a policy from a private insurer.
  4. Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP)/High Risk Pool —  You may qualify for a pre-existing condition insurance plan or a high risk pool, which helps people who have a hard time getting insurance find coverage.
  5. Medicaid —  Medicaid provides coverage for low income children, families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Pregnant women may qualify with higher incomes.
  6. ICHIP —  ICHIP provides individuals, families or children with guaranteed insurance.  Premiums charged are established by law at from 125%-150% of the average rates of the five largest insurance companies in Illinois. Incomes up to about $45,000 a year (for a family of four) may qualify.
  7. Finding Care You Can Afford —  There may be local facilities that provide free or reduced-cost care, whether you’re insured or not. What you pay depends on your income.
  8. Special Enrollment in Spouse’s Job-based Health Plan —  If you involuntarily lose coverage, you may be eligible for a special opportunity to sign up for a job-based health plan.
  9. COBRA Coverage —  COBRA is a Federal law that covers employers with 20 or more employees.  You may be eligible to keep the coverage you had at work, generally for 18 months, or longer depending on your circumstances.
  10. The Illinois Continuation (mini-COBRA) Law — The Illinois Continuation Law (mini-COBRA) protects individuals who lose their group health insurance coverage (with an employer group of less than 20 employees) due to termination of employment or reduction in hours.
  11. Special Options for Individual Health Insurance —  If you’re losing job-based coverage and meet other qualifications, you may be eligible for a HIPAA policy or a conversion policy. You may have other options.
  12. All Kids Covered —  If your family cannot afford private health insurance, the Illinois “All Kids program” may be an answer to cover your children.

For more information, check out our Info Websites page.