How Does COBRA Insurance Work in Illinois? Laws, Cost and Alternatives
How does COBRA insurance work in Illinois?
Illinois residents, workers and their families can get a continuation of workplace insurance coverage regardless of the size of their employer by opting for federal COBRA or the state’s mini-COBRA law. Participants receive the same benefits as they did when enrolled through their employer’s plan except for life insurance coverage.
Federal COBRA applies to employees of companies with 20 or more employees and requires employers to offer continued health insurance coverage to qualifying employees and their dependents after job loss for a limited period.
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COBRA Eligibility
Illinois Allows
COBRA Alternative:
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Continuing Health Insurance Coverage In Illinois
Please choose:
No Pre-Existing Conditions
Term Medical Gap Coverage
Available in some states, as low as $44/month
Coverage For
Pre-Existing Conditions
$400 – 700/month per individual
Medicare
Nearing Retirement Age
Learn about Medicare Advantage
Illinois’ mini-COBRA Law
In Illinois, employers are required to notify you of your right to continuation (mini-COBRA) health insurance coverage within 10 days of your employment termination or reduction in hours. This notice must be given in person or by mail. You have 30 days to submit a written request for continuation from the later of two dates: 1) the date of employment termination or reduction in hours, or 2) the date you receive the written notice. Additionally, you cannot elect Illinois continuation (mini-COBRA) more than 60 days after your employment termination or a reduction in hours below the minimum required by the group plan.
This state-specific law is particularly beneficial for employees of smaller businesses that are exempt from federal COBRA regulations. The Illinois mini-COBRA law mandates that employers with fewer than 20 employees offer temporary continuation of health benefits at group rates.
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Health Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions In Illinois
Maintaining your employer health insurance in Illinois is a wise decision if you rely on medical care from a doctor or routinely take prescription medicine.
When you elect COBRA, your insurance plan will stay the same and your deductibles will not reset. Coverage restarts from the date it was terminated, ensuring a smooth transition of your health plan.
Alternatives to COBRA
A loss of work health insurance is a qualifying event to find new coverage through the public healthcare exchange, also known as Obamacare or a marketplace plan. You may want to consider an ACA plan if you need gap health insurance between jobs — for example, you’re switching employers but your new coverage does not kick in until your 90-day review..
You May Qualify For A Subsidy
How to Apply For COBRA
Before applying, understand that employers with 20-plus full-time employees must inform their staff about the availability of COBRA coverage for qualifying events. Mini-COBRA laws extend this coverage and obligation to employers with fewer than 20 full-time workers.
As an employee, you may continue your most recent work health insurance for up to 18 months. Family members may access the plan for up to 36 months. You may be eligible for COBRA benefits if your position was recently terminated, you quit or resigned, your employer reduced your hours or you’re no longer covered by your spouse’s insurance due to divorce, becoming widowed, employer bankruptcy or your spouse qualifying for Medicare. At this point, you have up to 60 days to select coverage and 45 days to pay your premium.
How Much Does COBRA Cost?
You sign up for COBRA with your former employer or their third-party administrator. The premium will be $400–700/month, per insured person. In general, what you pay for COBRA insurance reflects the full amount your or your spouse’s previous employer paid in full plus your portion of the premium and up to 2% in administration fees.
Illinois Mini-COBRA
Employer Has Less Than 20 Employees
In Illinois, all employers are compelled to offer a continuation of worker’s health insurance. The human resources department or their third-party administrator will notify you on how to apply.
Illinois Allows Short-Term Health Insurance for Those In Good Health
The state of Illinois allows individuals who have recently lost their job or transitioned from one employer to another to obtain short-term medical insurance coverage.
This type of coverage is designed to bridge any gaps in health care that may exist due to changes in employment status and can provide peace of mind during this transition period.
Understand that while short-term or temporary health insurance appears more affordable than COBRA, these plans typically do not cover pre-existing conditions. COBRA, by contrast, lets you continue the same coverage previously obtained through your employer.
Short Term Medical Insurance
New Illnesses & Injury Coverage
Plans begin at $80/month.
Based on age and state availability
The FlexTerm Health Insurance plan provides health insurance coverage to help protect you from the medical bills that can result from newly unexpected Injuries and Sickness.
Accident Only Insurance with Telehealth
Pre-existing Conditions Do Not Exclude You From Accident Only Coverage
Plans start at $44/month.
Based on age and state availability
Accidents happen, and the last thing you want to worry about is who or how the bills are going to get paid. With this plan, you can focus on getting care. CAM helps you and your family with the high cost of healthcare resulting from injury or accidents.
Includes Telehealth – Access to prescribing doctors for common issues
Limited Indemnity with Telehealth
Includes Telehealth giving you access to prescribing doctors for common issues.
Core Health Insurance provides guaranteed acceptance Limited Indemnity Medical coverage for your basic medical needs, helping to provide a medical option for people who do not have the luxury of being covered by a comprehensive health insurance plan.
Medicare
After your workplace insurance ends, you’ll sign up for Medicare within eight months.
In general, you can sign up for Part A and Part B starting three months before your 65th birthday and ending three months after your 65th birthday.
Learn more about Medicare deadlines and how Medicare Advantage plans can replace original Medicare at no cost to you.
COBRA Is Available in All 50 States
Employee continuation of health insurance coverage is not required in all states. When a state lacks laws governing the continuation of work-related medical benefits, the federal COBRA Act protects these rights. Find out more about your state.
Remain Insured
Accident Only plans start at $44/mo
Short-Term Medical low as $80/mo
Call us
877-262-7241
Get A Quote, Enroll Online
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