Health Insurance is Affordable

Learn how to save on your Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois health insurance plan and care.

A woman holding a Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance card.

Where Can You Get Health Insurance?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) makes it easier to get affordable health insurance plans in Illinois, even if you haven't been able to in the past. You can get coverage through:

  • A company, like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
  • An insurance agent
  • The Health Insurance Marketplace
  • Your employer
  • Programs like Medicare or Medicaid if you qualify 

Learn More About Health Care Costs

If you're concerned about health insurance costs, you may be able to get help:

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Premium Tax Credits

A premium tax credit decreases your monthly premium. Find out what your premium could be if you qualify for a premium tax credit or other types of savings.

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Cost Sharing Assistance

Cost sharing assistance lowers the amount you pay for various health care costs, including your deductible, coinsurance and copays.

Tips to Save On Health Care Costs

You may be able to save when you need care by following a few tips and using your member tools.

Count on coverage you need with every BCBSIL plan.

All BCBSIL individual and family health plans follow ACA guidelines. They all offer the same essential health benefits, opportunities for savings and amount of care.

This doesn't mean all plans are the same, though. When comparing your plan options, you might notice differences between how plan benefits are applied and how much they cost. For example, some plans might have lower premiums and higher deductibles; others have higher premiums and lower deductibles.

What's different about your plan options?

All plans are different. They have different networks, deductible amounts and costs for things like copay and coinsurance.

Other benefits, like essential benefits and health and wellness savings, are included in every plan.

Before you enroll in a plan, make sure you understand the costs and benefits included in the plan and compare them to the level of care you need.

Find care covered by your plan.

Some health plans, like HMOs, require you to use certain doctors, hospitals and other health care professionals. Stay in your network when possible to help avoid paying more.

Use our Find Care tool to search for care. If you have a member account, you can log in to get personalized search results based on your health plan and network.

Know how to get pharmacy and prescription savings.

Did you know you might be able to save on your prescriptions? Sometimes going to in-network pharmacies or using mail order pharmacy services can help you cut costs.

You might be able to save by using a generic drug alternative. Generic drugs are the same as their name brand counterparts but cost less. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to learn if you might be able to use a generic drug alternative.

Get savings for healthy living.

You might have access to member discounts and earnings programs like Well OnTarget®, a health and wellness tracking program that gives you points for healthy decisions. Track your progress quitting smoking, losing weight, working out and more. When you earn enough points, redeem them for prizes.

Other tools, like Blue365®, are available for every member and free to join. Shop through Blue365 to get discounts on health and wellness items from apparel to vision needs.

Make choices today for a healthier tomorrow.

Do your best to eat right, exercise and get check in with your doctor regularly. Encourage all family members to live a healthy lifestyle, too.

Taking part in preventive care practices, like getting an annual check-up or starting a healthy eating program, can help you avoid bigger health problems down the road.

You may have more coverage options.

You might be able to enroll in Medicare or Medicaid, health plan options offered by the government, if you meet certain guidelines. If you meet requirements for both, you may be eligible for Blue Cross Community MMAI (Medicare-Medicaid Plan)SM.

If you’re 65+ or have certain disabilities, you likely qualify for a Medicare plan. Find Blue Cross Medicare OptionsSM in your area to fit your health care needs and your budget.

If you have a low income or certain disabilities, you may qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is a state-run program that helps those in need get health insurance. The state determines who qualifies for Medicaid based on federal guidelines. Once you qualify, you can pick a health plan.

 

What People are Saying

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"I love the convenience of being able to check on claims from my phone or online. And when I have questions, they’re always there to help."

- Allyson B.

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"I've always preferred Blue Cross over all of the other networks that I've been a part of. A lot of those others, it was a headache."

- Eric M.

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"I have no copays. I guess I've been very fortunate. It is really good insurance. It really is. It does cover everything. I'm pleased with that. It feels really good."

- Danielle J.