| The increasing costs of health care have made | | | | thousands of individuals who cannot be otherwise |
| health insurance an absolute necessity. Health | | | | insured. The various deductible options under CHIP |
| insurance is more useful for people who have bad | | | | are: $500, $1,000, $1,500, $2,500, and $5,000. The |
| health records, addictions like alcohol or smoking | | | | different plans under this are Plan 2, Plan 3 and |
| ,or who are likely to have future health problems. | | | | Plan 5. CHIP covers hospital services, professional |
| But everyone should have a health insurance | | | | medical services, second surgical opinions, |
| policy to meet any kind of a health care need in | | | | outpatient prescription drugs and medicines, |
| the future.There are many different kinds of | | | | Orthoses or prostheses other than dental, |
| Illinois health insurance plans available today, to suit | | | | diagnostic services, emergency services, skilled |
| all kinds of people and their requirements. There | | | | nursing facility care, home health care, hospice |
| are plans from private insurance companies. Some | | | | care and many others, depending upon the |
| are long-term plans, while others are short-term | | | | plan.Illinois has special programs like KidCare and |
| plans. Some plans are suitable only for children or | | | | FamilyCare. Illinois is the first state to offer health |
| the elderly. There are also group plans and | | | | insurance coverage for all the children in the state. |
| schemes such as Mediclaim provided by | | | | The FamilyCare health insurance program covers |
| employers, and group health plans for very small | | | | all medical care, including doctor visits, dental care, |
| businesses. Then there are plans which allow tax | | | | hospital care, emergency care, specialty medical |
| deductions and savings. The top Illinois health | | | | services, prescription drugs and others. The family |
| insurance companies are: UniCare, Blue Cross/ | | | | has to meet certain limits to be eligible for this |
| Blue Shield of Illinois, Humana One, Fortis | | | | scheme. The qualifying annual income is up to |
| Short-Term Medical, Celtic, American Medical | | | | 185% of the federal poverty level, or about |
| Security, MedPlan Access, Genesis Health System, | | | | $36,000 for a family of four. FamilyCare Assist, |
| GE Long Term Care Insurance, and Fortis Student | | | | FamilyCare Share, FamilyCare Premium and |
| Select Health Insurance.The Illinois Department of | | | | FamilyCare rebate are the plans under this, |
| Insurance provides several public plans for people | | | | depending upon the family income. The family can |
| who cannot be covered under private polices. The | | | | pay small monthly premiums ranging between $15 |
| Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) | | | | and $40, depending upon the number of family |
| is a state program that provides insurance to | | | | members. |