It is very important to have health insurance in Illinois. Whether you are an independent contractor who needs insurance for yourself or a small business looking to provide health insurance to your employees, Illinois health insurance providers are ready to take care of your needs.

By giving your employees Illinois health insurance, you will reduce the amount of sickness in the office. People without low cost health insurance in Illinois are less likely to receive the preventative care needed to maintain good health. When your employees are in good health, productivity is increased.

When you want to compare Illinois health insurance plans, you should:

1. Know which style of heath Illinois health insurance plans you and your employees want. You can usually choose between HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), PPO (Preferred Provider Organizations) or POS (Point of Service) plans. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
2. Determine how much you can afford to spend on employees' health insurance. You can pay for all of it or you can require employees to pay a certain percentage.
3. Decide if your employees could benefit from having a Health Savings Account (HSA).
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Receive online quotes from Illinois health insurance carriers

You can easily compare the costs of Illinois health insurance companies by requesting a quote online. This is a free service.

I recommend: EHealthInsurance.com is a popular site which allows you to request quotes on Illinois health insurance policies. HealthInsuranceProviders.org provides a similar service.

Speak with an insurance agent about health insurance in Illinois

You can talk to a health insurance agent about your company's needs. A good agent will be familiar with all of the Illinois health insurance providers and can suggest the one that fits best with you.

I recommend: Ludwig Insurance offers health insurance plans for both individuals and groups. You can request a free quote.

Purchase insurance directly from Illinois health insurance carriers

If you already know which insurance company you are interested in, it is convenient to purchase your Illinois health insurance plans directly from the provider.

I recommend: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois offers health insurance plans for small businesses. Aetna is another company that offers Illinois health insurance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It is a great idea to implement any wellness programs offered by Illinois health insurance providers. These help employees to maintain healthy lives, reducing their chances of getting sick. You may consider offering free flu shots in the office, nutritional counseling, or smocking cessation programs.
• •  If possible, choose an Illinois health insurance provider that also offers services in other states. This ensures that your employees have coverage when they are traveling in the U.S.