2019 open Enrollment Period(oEP)
November 1st - December 15th, 2018
This Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) The Health Insurance Shoppe will only be representing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL), and there will be no applicable fees for our service. In order to secure health insurance for 2019 you must apply between November 1st and December 15th, 2018. We are able to assist clients in applying directly to BCBSIL or through Healthcare.gov, for those that qualify for Advanced Premium Tax Credits and/or Cost Sharing plans.
working with an agent?
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is the largest health insurer in our state and offers the largest selection of plans, and largest selection of doctors and hospitals.
BCBSIL has 4 provider networks to choose from:
-
Blue Choice Preferred PPO
-
Blue Precision HMO (only option for Northwestern Medicine and North Shore University HealthSystems)
-
BlueCare Direct HMO (Advocate Only)
-
BlueFocus Care HMO
Each provider network can be searched here by selecting one of the above network names from the drop-down selection.
We have provided easy access to each Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) for all available plans, and can reference the new 6 Tier Prescription Drug Formulary.
Blue Choice Preferred PPO
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Catastrophic
HSA
BlueCare DIrect HMO (Advocate only)
Silver
Please call the Shoppe or click the link below to schedule your appointment. You can also go to our Apply page to receive your BCBSIL quote and apply online. Applying from our website ensures that you have a trusted Health Insurance Shoppe agent associated with your account and there to assist you with all your health insurance needs throughout the year.
Household Size
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
138% of FPL
$16,643
$22,411
$28,180
$33,948
$39,716
$45,485
$51,253
$57,022
400% of FPL
$48,240
$64,960
$81,680
$98,400
$115,120
$131,840
$148,560
$165,280
FAQ's regarding Individual and Family Coverage
When is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?
The Annual Enrollment Period runs between 11/1-12/15.
Am I allowed to acquire coverage outside of the AEP?
The only way to acquire a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) outside of the AEP is if you are experiencing a qualifying event. You do have the option to enroll in a "Short Term" medical plan, which is not considered a QHP and are medically underwritten, and can enroll in this line of coverage for up to 90 days at a time.
What is The Health Insurance Marketplace and why should I use it?
The Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace) is a online enrollment portal for enrolling in coverage with health insurance carriers that offer products on the Marketplace. The same products can be acquired directly with the insurance carrier at the same premium, however, should your household income qualify for assistance (reduced premiums), than the only way to receive the assistance is by acquiring coverage via the Marketplace and not through the carrier directly.
Qualification for assistance, which is in the form of an Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC), is based on your 2017 Projected Household Modified Adjusted Gross Income and if it falls between 133%-400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
Do the available insurance carriers within The Health Insurance Marketplace offer different plans outside the marketplace?
The answer can be "yes" and "no" depending on why the question is being asked. If asking because the plans available on The Health Insurance Marketplace do not include your preferred doctors and hospitals, and are wanting access to a larger PPO that includes your preferred doctor and hospital...the answer is no. The insurance carriers offer the same provider networks when coverage is being acquired outside of The Health Insurance Marketplace, and enrolling directly with the carrier (Cigna excluded) you are taking the The Health Insurance Marketplace out of the picture.
If you are not eligible for an Advanced Premium Tax Credit via The Health Insurance Marketplace and are looking for different plan benefits than what are offered on The Health Insurance Marketplace...than the answer is yes. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) offer a very expensive Platinum plan on their Blue Precision HMO Network that is not available for purchase on The Health Insurance Marketplace.