Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies 
The state of Illinois requires insurers to sell Medicare Supplement policies to people under sixty-five—inclusive of people with ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease).

 

High-Risk Pool 
Many states offer a public plan for those citizens who have been denied coverage in the private market (or who’ve been charged very high premiums) because carriers believe they’d be too expensive to insure. In Illinois, this high risk insurance pool is open to those who are HIPAA eligible or HCTC eligible.

 

Mini-COBRA Policies (Small Group) 
Federal Law requires large businesses to provide health insurance for their former employees up to eighteen months after a split. In most cases, smaller businesses (2-19 employees) are required to cover their employees—mini-Cobra policies. However each state has different eligibility for these “mini-Cobra” companies. In Illinois, the law requires smaller businesses to cover past employees for twenty-four months. It also covers those who are fifty-five and older until they are eligible for Medicare.

 

Medicare Savings Program (Premium Support) 
Most states have a form of premium support for low-income Medicare beneficiaries; the amount of support is directly correlated to the beneficiary’s income as a percentage of the Federal poverty level. 

In Illinois,

• Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries—individuals are covered who have a monthly income under $903 and couples with a monthly income under $1,214 and no limits on assets;

• Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries—individuals are covered who have a monthly income under $1,083 and couples with a monthly income under $1,457;

• Qualified Individuals—individuals are covered with a monthly income under $1,218 and for couples with a monthly income under $1,639.

Please note that for all types of beneficiaries there is an asset limit of $6,600 for individuals and $9,910 for couples.

 

State Health Insurance Assistance Program 
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a public assistance programs funded in part by the Federal Government that works to inform community groups about current Medicare issues and concerns in each of the 50 states. SHIP is administered by the Illinois Department of Insurance. SHIP counselors are provided by the Illinois Department of Insurance. Counselors are able to answer questions on:

• Medicare Supplement Insurance,

• Medicare Advantage Plans,

• Prescription Drug Coverage and

• A variety of other Medicare related topics.

 

Low-Income Subsidy (“extra-help”) for Prescription Drugs 
This program is a subsidy for Part D recipients with resources under $13,070 (or $26,120 for a couple) to receive money towards a Medicare prescription drug plan. The benchmark of support is different depending on which region of the country you live in.  In Illinois in 2012, the low-income subsidy was $30.23.

 

If you live in Illinois, and you are interested in getting a Medicare Plan, please contact the Medicare experts at eAmeriFamily Insurance.  They are industry veterans and will guide you through the process of getting the right Medicare, Medicare Advantage, MediGap, or Medicare Supplement Plan for you.