Friday, October 16, 2009

Why Cheap Health Insurance Coverage is Dicey in Illinois

By Mike Novelli

Cheap health insurance coverage represents a lure for the 40+ millions United States citizens living without coverage. A comprehensive analysis shows that while these Illinois health plans promise to deliver, they exclude the coverage needed to cover a medical emergency situation or even pre-authorization. In reality, the consumer pays more in the end for the outrageously, cheap health insurance quote.

The health insurance heist of 2000 left insurance holders, totaling some 100,000 consumers with more than $85 million dollars in hospital bills. The fake cheap health insurance coverage used to be localized, affecting Americans in small numbers. These days, the scams are widespread from the heartland of Illinois throughout the nation.

Once upon a time, these health insurance scams affected a small percentage of the population. In the beginning of the millennium, approximately 100,000 policyholders were scammed by fake health insurance companies, accounting for more $85 million dollars of unpaid medical bills.

The cheap health insurance coverage is a growing epidemic. From Illinois to the other 49 states, the medical fraud conundrum represents financial devastation. For the unsuspecting consumer, the cheap health insurance coverage wears several disguises: the faith-based policy (affiliated with one's church), the discount medical card and even the dreaded disease health plan. In each case, these policies are typically scams.

The cheap health insurance inflicts an aftermath of financial devastation. Once the unsuspecting policyholder develops an illness, necessitating hospital stay, these illicit insurance companies disappear without a trace. Meanwhile, consumers are saddled with an outrageous hospital bill, and the stigma of a "pre-existing medical condition," rendering them uninsurable.

Avoiding fraud in the pursuit of obtaining Illinois health insurance is a matter of following two consumer smart strategies:

1. Meticulously investigate the Illinois health insurance company. Contact the Illinois Department of Insurance to verify if the company is licensed and determine if there are any outstanding complaint files. If the provider claims that they are exempt from regulation or not licensed in your state, find another Illinois health insurance company.

2. Opt for an agent with a proven track record and a reputable insurance provider. Although you may pay a little more for the policy, it exceeds the uncertainty associated with the cheap Illinois health insurance coverage.

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