With December 23 Deadline Approaching for January Health Insurance Coverage, Land of Lincoln Health Reminds Illinois Residents There is Still Time to Act

Land of Lincoln Health™, Illinois’ only non-profit consumer operated and oriented health insurance plan (CO-OP), reminds residents that December 23, 2013 is the deadline to sign up for health insurance to take effect on January 1, 2014. As one of the only health insurance companies that offers plans throughout the state, Land of Lincoln Health offers a full range of options in Cook County in health insurance rating area 1 in Northern Illinois.

“As residents shop for coverage, it is important to consider Land of Lincoln Health, a new option in Illinois that focuses on improving and reinvesting in benefits for members,” said Dan Yunker, CEO of Land of Lincoln Health. “With the December 23 deadline looming, residents should be assured there is a simple way to purchase insurance, offered by a different kind of health insurance company that makes choosing and using the right plan less complicated.”

A key step in making the process of purchasing health insurance simpler is Land of Lincoln Health’s ability to now check residents’ eligibility for government subsidies or discounts instead of residents needing to do so through the federal exchange. Land of Lincoln Health can then apply the subsidies when residents purchase insurance.

Additionally, Land of Lincoln Health’s network, which includes some of the highest-rated physicians and hospitals across the state, continues to expand, offering more choices for residents.

Most recently, Land of Lincoln Health’s preferred provider network now includes Rush University Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital, Rush-Copley Medical Center, Cadence Health (Central DuPage Hospital, Delnor Hospital), Swedish Covenant Hospital, Edward Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital, and Sinai Health (Mount Sinai, Holy Cross, Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital), with plans to add at least another 100 hospitals across the state to its preferred provider network in the next year.  

When choosing a health plan, Land of Lincoln Health recommends that residents consider the total cost of the using the plan, taking into account not only a plan’s monthly premium, but all out of pocket costs, including the deductible.

“We know purchasing health insurance for yourself, your family or your business can be confusing,” Yunker said. “We urge the residents of Illinois to not let the December 23 deadline pass without taking action because they are overwhelmed. Land of Lincoln Health wants to help people realize how simple purchasing insurance can be.”

Residents who do not purchase health insurance before December 23 can still do so before the enrollment period ends on March 31, but coverage will not begin by January 1, 2014.

For more information, including how to check eligibility for subsidies, visit the Land of Lincoln Health website atwww.landoflincolnhealth.org or call 888-858-9130 to speak to an enrollment specialist.