Get Local Illinois Health Insurance Quotes

Many people think that if they call a national health insurance company that is not in their home state, that they will get better health insurance premium rates. This isn't true, and in fact, if you shop locally, you may get a better rate.

Trying to find a reasonable health insurance quote is the true definition of sheer frustration. So many calls, so many websites, so many insurance agents with ideas, and so many questions that one’s head starts spinning after about the third call.

While shopping is a good idea, it just might turn out to be counterproductive if the insurance company providing the quote is from out-of-state. Only the local guys really know their area inside out and are able to provide excellent service, good rates and provide customers with insider knowledge on what the "real" scoop is for health insurance in your area.

Calling a large company in some other state will not get good service, will not provide insider details on which doctors provide what services and which hospitals will offer what, because they have no clue what the conditions are like where a caller lives. The best an out-of-state insurance company is able to offer is a generic package that may or may not fit the caller's needs.

Shopping for healthcare insurance premiums locally is smart because the agents know the true meaning of customer service and being there for the clients when something goes wrong. Those "other" companies in Timbuktu could care less about customer service and certainly won't adequately be able to represent the customers in any types of disputes with any degree of accuracy or efficiency.

Local agents know everything about the area and the networks. They are aware of which companies will honor claims, which ones don't honor them, and what services various local doctors offer.

To be honest, this is precisely the type of information a customer wanting to buy health insurance really needs to know to make an informed decision about what they want to buy. Once a customer has the "scoop" they are able to choose from a wide range of policies and find one that is a snug fit for an individual or family.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Being a Bunny for Illinois Health Insurance

There are some people who aren't huge fans of lettuce and other good things to eat to stay healthy. That's unfortunate, as healthy eating translates to a more reasonably priced Illinois health insurance premium.

While it may seem like a bit of a stretch to think that eating celery and other green things is going to make a difference in your health insurance premiums, it is a fact. Taking responsibility for one's eating habits pays off in health benefits for everyone. So, just have a bit more salad and check out the menu for homemade fruit smoothies.

Why does being healthy count so much in the insurance industry? It's like this; the better you are health wise, the better your insurance rates – meaning "lower." People in the overweight and obese categories are in a higher risk area and because of that, they pay more for their health insurance premiums – and healthcare in general. Illinois has a high rate of obesity across the whole population (59.8%) and in fact, it is quite close to the overall higher rates nationwide that show 59.5% of Americans are overweight or obese. Those aren't exactly figures about which to brag.

The costs associated with being obese are enormous and by the year 2040 some healthcare pundits forecast that treating diseases caused by obesity will hit the $39 billion mark. That is a lot of money to be spending to keep the obese population in reasonably good health. While obesity is, in some instances, a matter of genetics or predisposition, there are just as many people who have reached that state by being lazy and not taking care of themselves.

High numbers like this are a cause for concern in the health insurance industry, not only because of the higher costs of premiums, but also because of the costs in general to the health system. Those who are grossly overweight or obese tax an already straining health system to its limits.

While there are changes being made to the health system and premium rates may go down in June of 2010, this still does nothing to deal with the high rate of obesity. Lifestyle choices are so important when it comes to health insurance. It's time more people "got it" and got with the program, and that includes not only adults, but also overweight and obese children.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Be a Smart Illinois Healthcare Benefits Shopper

Being a smart Illinois health insurance shopper means knowing precisely what you are getting without assuming anything. This is smart because it means that if you need coverage later, you know right away what benefits you have and what ones you don't – no guesswork here.

This really can't be emphasized enough – always read everything you get that relates to your Illinois health insurance coverage. Don't assume anything, don't figure you have something without checking, and make sure you understand everything there is to know about your policy. While this might strike you as being a real chore, it will save you a lot of grief later when you actually need to use your health insurance.

Knowing in advance what you are covered for makes more sense than finding yourself in a pickle later because you thought you had something covered, and really, you didn't. This means you have to hand over the bucks to cover what you didn't have. Paying for medical care out of your own pocket hurts when you thought you were OK. Having to find extra out-of-pocket cash is not easy these days.

If you want to really save some time and money, do a bit of homework first before you look around for Illinois health insurance. Write a list of questions, as many as you are able to think of, and then hit the phones and call local insurance agents. Don't feel badly about how many questions you are going to ask, as that is what they are paid to do in the first place – answer your questions. It's like this; it's your money paying for health insurance, so you have the right to know as much as you want to know about how it all works.

Make sure you ask not only for what will be covered, but also for what will "not" be covered. Both those issues are extremely important. Each plan or supplement does have items it won't cover, just as it has things that it will. Once you know the full story on what you have and don't have, you may make informed decisions about whether or not you need an additional supplement or need to choose a different plan.

If you are really clear on the goals you want to achieve with your Illinois health insurance, then your health insurance agent will be able to target your buying power for you. This is precisely how you wind up getting the right health insurance for you, and not a plan that is better suited to someone else.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Tips to Consider Buying Illinois Health Insurance

If there weren't so many things to know about when you went to buy health insurance, you might not be so confused. We have some tips to help you save money and time on your search.

One thing you really need to keep in mind is your (before you call anyone about buying Illinois health insurance) likely maximum out-of-pocket expenses you’ll be paying. This has another name, and that is “co-insurance maximum.”

If you don't already have an idea of a budget, it's a lot easier to be talked into something that might be too expensive for you, or something that does not really suit your needs. Don't fork over one thin dime until you've run figures and know your ability to pay. This dollar amount basically shows you the maximum you may spend for the year on your in and out of network medical expenses.

Another way to explain the maximum you'd pay would be that you are calculating the rough costs for your deductible and co-insurance limits. These figures will come in quite handy when you are speaking to a local Illinois health insurance agent. Now that you have an idea of what you are able to afford, take some time and make it a point to read ALL the fine print on your policy. Yes, ALL of it. Why? You need to read everything in an Illinois health insurance policy because there are things in there that might surprise you later if you don't.

Many health insurance companies are able to offer you good lifetime maximums for your incurred expenses over the life of your policy. For instance, say you might have a figure somewhere in the $3 million range. That's a pretty decent figure and it usually does average out to be good enough. Now, check the fine print. Your plan may have a per incident, per year max. This means that will supersede your lifetime maximum. Stay alert for things like this that have the potential to trip you up further down the road.

Having a budget and sticking to it is the best course of action when you go shopping for Illinois health insurance. Make sure you have your figures firmly in your mind when you speak to a good insurance agent. At this point, they will be showing you comparable plans, because they deal with multiple carriers, and they need to have your budget figures in mind to get you the best results. This not only saves time, it saves money. These days, who doesn't want to save money?

You may also opt to shop online for Illinois health insurance, but make sure you visit a site and source several quotes at once so you are able to see the prices and what each plan contains. There will be some significant differences between various carriers, so don't be too surprised. Have a calculator on hand and run the figures to make sure what you see fits within your budget.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Age Related Health Care

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if a person is older, they would likely pay more for health insurance, as opposed to younger people.

Actually paying more money for health insurance as an older individual only makes sense, and is not, contrary to how it may sound, discriminatory. "The bottom line is that older people tend to need health care plans that offer more coverage," explained Randy Gillespie of Focus Insurance Group in Liberty, Illinois.

It's a basic fact of life that as we age, we need more medical care. Although it would be nice if we didn't have to spend more time at the doctor, than say the race track doing what we love, it is inevitable that older Americans need more care, ranging from prescriptions to medical devices/implants. Even if a senior is in good shape and health, preventive health care is needed more often than for the younger crowd.

Just looking at the health care statistics for the younger generations, it's easy to see they don't need the same kind of drug coverage, tests or other medical procedures an older person may need. "It's fair to say the numbers will back that up, the cost of health insurance policies will also support it and, well, so does common sense," said Gillespie.

Charging more for health insurance is not being punitive because a person is older. It is offering the type of coverage they need as they age, not as a punishment, but as a benefit to keep them healthy and ongoing concerns.

If people would only realize that if they took better care of themselves as they age, they would not have nearly as many medical expenses. Unfortunately people do not look after themselves and thus pay a price for that decision in increased health insurance premiums. "This observation is applicable whether or not the person is younger or older," added Randy Gillespie of Focus Insurance Group in Liberty, Illinois.

For those who choose to neglect their personal health care, the health care system goes into overdrive to try to keep these people in better health. It's quite the Catch-22 with those who harm their health and yet expect the health care system to make them well. There is a price to be paid for all of this, in more ways than one.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Be Smart Get Stage of Life Health Insurance Plans

It only makes good common sense, as well as economic sense, to get health insurance quotes for one's particular stage of life, as they will vary in what services are provided and costs.

Sure it's difficult to search for health care insurance as you feel like you are taking a crash course in insurance terms, offers, plan this and plan that. It's not the easiest thing to do and most people would rather just not do it, however, there is a way around the angst – get an insurance agent involved.

There is no good reason why anyone has to choose their own health insurance plans or packages, not when all they need to do is call a local health insurance agent and get free advice. "We know our products like the back of our hand and are able to assist people in finding what they need, and at a good price," said Randy Gillespie of Focus Insurance Group in Liberty, Illinois.

The largest problem with people calling health insurance agents is that people think the agent will attempt to sell them something they don't want, and they don't know how to say "No." The fact of the matter is that "When people come to see us, we sit down with them and go over what their goals are for health insurance. We work with them to find what suits them. If they don't buy insurance from us, that's not a problem. We are here to help people, not sell them something they don't want," added Gillespie, who willingly spends hundreds of hours talking to customers about their needs.

When someone does ask about insurance, one of the usual questions does tend to relate to age. While this might sound like it is biased, it is not. "Age relates directly to what an individual needs in terms of insurance and which supplements will or will not work, as the case may be," outlined Gillespie. The bottom line is that no matter what a person's age is, in general, everyone has similar health care needs, and that is to know they have coverage when they need it.

Often it's the younger crowd who feel they may be immortal and don't get health insurance coverage because they don't think anything will happen to them. Of course, things usually do happen at some point, and they find out the hard way that age didn't matter when it came to having (or not having) health insurance. It's a tough lesson to learn when faced with a medical bill of $20,000 for a broken leg. "The smart choice is to have health insurance at any age," commented Randy Gillespie of Focus Insurance Group in Liberty, Illinois.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Health Insurance Rates Are Changing

Be prepared for some interesting changes in health insurance rates by June 2010 – rates may very well be dropping.

Until this point in time, your health insurance rates have routinely been creeping up and up. The reasons? Our own neglect of our health and the rising costs of medical services, etc. However, having said that, there are some changes on the horizon which are slated to come into effect in June 2010.

One of the changes – well, it is sort of a change, but not really – is that the old Medigap plans A-G will end and the new plans A-G will become effective the 1st of June. The reason that we say it's a change, but not really a change, is that the plans will remain the same in what they offer. There will be no changes in what they offer.

The only changes will be the people in the old Medigap plans will be grandfathered to stay in their old plans – which means they will become a closed risk pool. This typically tends to drive the prices of health insurance premiums up. Those people who will be in the "new" plans A-G will also find themselves in a closed risk pool. Two things may be the result of that.

Either the health insurance premiums will go up in both risk pools or, because of the expected stiff competition this situation will cause, health insurance premiums will become competitive. That would be a bonus for many Americans who are currently paying some really high health insurance premiums.

Whether or not the two closed pools will eventually see another rate increase, or gradual increase, is a good question. In the meantime if we do see rates creeping up, it will likely be for the same reasons we are seeing now. Those reasons include the fact that we don't take good care of ourselves. We drink, take drugs to excess, smoke, don't exercise, don't eat properly and, as a nation, we are aging. All those factors increase our health insurance rates in the blink of an eye.

Without a doubt, there will still be medical inflation and medical errors in both risk pools, the old and the new. So, even if the health insurance premiums initially drop in price and more people come on board, this isn't to say these same factors won't remain in play long-term.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Compare Carriers for Reasonable Medicare Supplement Quotes

You might be thinking there is no such thing as a reasonable Medicare supplement quote, and you would know because you spent all day on the phone. Well, honestly, there is such a thing. You just need to spend the time to find the right place to call.

You don't even have to call around to insurance agencies if you don't want to do so. You can hop online and do some serious surfing to find Medicare supplement quotes in the blink of an eye. This is actually a very smart idea, as when you hit that "compare" or "get my quote" button, the numbers come back all nicely lined up to give you a peek at the bottom line. Just make sure that if you hit more than one heath insurance website, that you use the same parameters to provide a quote, or it won't be accurate.

Here is something else you need to be aware of as well. If you are shopping around for quotes on Medigap supplements, be aware that they are the same in every state and at every insurance company. The supplement content does not change. However, having said that, the price the supplements are marketed at does change from company to company – depending on what the market will bear.

Just a quick tip about other health insurance: unless you are searching for Medicare supplements, don't base your search for other types of health insurance quotes on the price. Why not? You don't want to base a search for other types of health insurance on price alone, as you may not get what you genuinely need if you just use price as the main comparison factor. Plan to compare options, what is included and what is not included as your criteria. Many times cheap health insurance means fewer options and/or options that do not suit you personally or your family.

Make sure you do speak to a local health insurance agent in order to get the right Medicare quote. Why not call the local agent, as the advice is free and you will actually be able to save some money in the process. It's not just about saving money though; it's about getting what you honestly need.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Illinois Health Insurance: Save Bucks Medicare Supplement Shopping

Medicare supplement shopping is usually fairly boring because they are all the same from state to state, until the quote for various supplements comes up for discussion. This is where smart health insurance shoppers are able to save some money.

It isn't every day that consumers have a chance to actually save money when they buy health care insurance. This is a complaint a lot of Americans have – health insurance is too expensive, they can't afford it, they don't need it, and it's too complicated. The interesting thing is that shoppers could save money on Medicare supplements by shopping around for quotes from insurance carriers.

Many people don't actually realize that if they are smart health insurance shoppers, they could make a difference in their yearly budgets. That's saying something in this recession. We're not talking about the nickels and dimes; we're talking about larger dollars that when saved over the year, can amount to a break in someone's budget. It's best to make a note that shopping around for Medicare quotes is the ONLY area in the health insurance system where comparing costs saves money.

This is how it works. Every state in the U.S. offers Medicare supplements and they all offer exactly the same coverage. But, and this is the big but that saves money, it's totally up to the health insurance companies what parts they offer over and above mandatory part A. There are some health insurance carriers who opt to offer parts B through L and others decide to pick and choose.

This means that offering more than part A is optional. So, since offering parts B through L is optional, health insurance companies charge what the market will bear. In some places that can be fairly expensive; in others, people would get a nice break. This is how people find savings by checking prices. If they take the time to call around for Medicare supplement quotes, it may mean the difference between having health insurance or no insurance at all.

Here is just one quick example to show how this would work. Say a person is 65 years old and wants Part F or J (which covers most expenses). They call a well-known big insurance company and the quote is $135.00 a month. They then call another health insurance company that isn't a household name, and the quote is $110 a month – and there's a savings of $300 a year. Now that's a pretty attractive alternative.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Illinois Health Insurance Options May Be Hard to Understand

Despite the fact there are many health insurance agents in the marketplace, there are still millions of uninsured Americans. This is largely due to a number of reasons, and some of them happen to be personal choice. However, one of the number one cited reasons why consumers find Illinois health insurance options a tad confusing is because they don't know what they are looking for when they do want to buy health insurance.

No matter the reasons for not buying health insurance, there will come a time in everyone's life when they will need it. It's time to ask questions now, for the future. Unfortunately, there are so many uninsured people that it's downright scary. This may change by 2014 since the introduction of mandated electronic medical files for everyone in the nation. The simple fact is that no one is immune from having to see a health care provider at some point in their lives. It's inevitable and that's all there is to it.

There are a lot of plans on the market and they aren't that complicated; if a person is surfing the Internet, all it takes is a few clicks to find out what a certain health insurance company offers. Most of the plans and services they have are listed on their website, as is a contact phone number to call the agent. While many people are not fond of calling an insurance agent (because they don't want the agent to try and sell a policy to them), it's a fact that if people are calling asking for information, then they need the information.

A local health insurance agent takes the confusion out of the decision-making process by completely answering all the questions a health insurance shopper may have. It might not take a lot of time to clear up a misconception; such as pointing out the differences between a High Deductible Health Plan/Health Savings Account and a more traditional health insurance plan, which offers doctor office co-pay’s and prescription drugs.

A lot of people don't know this, but one of the most reasonable health insurance plans on the market is the Co-Pay Plan. It's pretty straightforward and it co-pays expenses for doctors, medication and prevention. This means the patient only pays a fraction of the doctor's bill for an office visit. This is a great option for families on a tight budget.

Another alternative for people is a High Deductible Health Plan/Health Savings Account (HSAs). HSAs mean saving money for health care premiums right now and for the future. This works fine for people who like to save money and can afford a little higher out-of-pocket cost before everything is covered. For those who are on a tight budget, a Health Savings Account doesn't make sense. While there are quite a few tax-free benefits for HSAs, people with them still have to pay their own way, up to a certain amount.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Opt In or Opt Out – the Deal with Illinois Health Insurance

In this day and age, it seems like no one stays in the same state anymore. Moving has become common, as people relocate to try and find work. While that may be necessary to keep body and soul together, what about your Medicare needs? Opting in and out of Medicare supplements can prove to be confusing, unless you get smart and talk to a competent Illinois health insurance agent.

While you may think you have enough on your hands trying to move from one state to another, you really need to give some consideration to what to do about your health insurance. Just because you had a super plan in one state does not mean you will get a similar one in your new home. The timing on health insurance premium payments will change, the prices may be different, and you might have to go health insurance shopping – again! It's frustrating to say the least, but it doesn't have to be.

Health insurance has been called many things, and some of them not so nice, by people who did not understand what was actually available to them in terms of health insurance. Sure, searching for the right kind of health insurance for an individual or family in a new state may be a major nightmare, but it's easy enough to get to the bottom of the problem by talking to a highly qualified, local, health insurance agent. This is the right person to start asking about opt in and opt out provisions.

This may change depending on which state you are in, but in some areas you are able to opt in to Medicare supplements between November 15th of the prior year and December 31st. Then, you'll be locked in until the next opt out period. While this may sound simple, it really isn't. Ask about this because there are a lot of exceptions to the rules, and this is not information you are going to find on a health insurance website.

Here is an example of another exception. There are situations where you can opt in to Medicare supplements between January and March rather than the 15th of November to December 31st. And, if you are leaving one group health care plan or moving to a different service area, this may make a difference in what type of plan you get in your new state.

Confusing? Save time and hassle by asking your local health insurance agent about opt in and out regulations. It's better to ask the experts than trying to sort things out on your own.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Know What Health Insurance You Actually Have

There are so many people who do not take the time to read their health insurance plans that it's positively scary. Many people just assume they have the right kind of coverage whenever they need it, when in reality they don't – but they don't find out until later – when they need it.

Always read the fine print on your health insurance policy. While it might sound like the most boring thing in the world to do, it may save you some real problems later when you really need health insurance coverage. Knowing now what you are covered for will prepare you for later and for the fact that you may need to be paying some money out-of-pocket.

Here is what to do when looking for Illinois health insurance. Write down as many questions as you can, all pertaining to what you want and need for health insurance. Now make that phone call to an Illinois health insurance agent and get him or her to answer your questions. That's what the agents are there for, to answer any questions you have and to advise you on what is likely the best type of health insurance for you or for your family.

Make sure you ask about two things. First about what kind of coverage you do have, and second about what kind of coverage you do NOT have. While this might sound a bit counter productive, it makes sense when you think about it. Each supplement or plan covers some things and not others. If you're aware of what isn't covered, then you have other options to fill the gap.

You need to know how to get started, and then what is in the plan you are considering. This is where those questions you wrote down come in handy. If you know your health insurance goals and are focused on them at all times, the health insurance agent will have a better idea of what you need. This means you will get a package tailored specifically to you and not someone else.

While you might not think you need to read the fine print on your health insurance contract, be aware that many large health insurance companies are hoping that you don't read it. This would mean they'd have to pay out less money on you later if you don't know what you signed. So keep your wits about you.

If you are getting cheap coverage, ask why it is so cheap; you might find out it's missing something you need. It's better to know this right up front and not later. Be a savvy health insurance shopper and not only ask questions, but also don't take the first plan that sounds like it might be OK.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance or to get an Illinois health insurance quotes, visit Focusinsgroup.com

Tips for Buying Illinois Health Insurance

Shopping for health insurance is a bit like anticipating a root canal. No one particularly cares for it, but it has to be done. These tips should come in handy.

The minute people sit down and try to figure out what kind of health insurance they need, they find so many options they get confused. This is good news and bad news. Good news because many options mean a higher likelihood of finding a plan that suits the individual. The bad news is with all the options it becomes a cacophony of choices. Now is the time to talk to a licensed insurance broker who knows their stuff.

Shopping for health insurance often brings out the worst in people who get easily frustrated and all they really want to do is save money and time searching. To do that requires some homework before calling companies to find out what choices there are available. A first time shopper should be aware of the possible maximum out-of-pocket expenses they will be responsible for paying, which includes the deductible and the co-insurance with most carriers.

So, before spending any dollars, know the figures to work with first. The dollar coverage refers to the maximum that a person may spend in one year, for both in network and out of network medical costs. That is plain English for assessing the costs for co-insurance limits and deductibles.

This cannot be said often enough, always take the time to read the fine print on any health insurance policy. Here is an example of why that is a good thing to do. Say it looks like there is a super lifetime max for expenses over the span of an insurance policy. Take a figure of say just over $3 million. Sounds good on the surface, but ask what the fine print says. It may say there is a per incident/per year maximum and those limits supersede the lifetime maximums. Know what the policy says before spending one thin dime.

If being on a budget is necessary, then have that budget already worked out before shopping. Talk to several health insurance agents about the different plans available and ask about the comparisons between them. Make sure to mention budget constraints right up front, as this lets an insurance agent shop carriers for a good rate. It will also save time and money over the long-term.

One thing to note is if you are shopping around for health insurance plans and are asking about the "same" plan then you will get the "same" price no matter where you buy your health insurance. Go with a broker that handles more than one carrier, you will get better service that way.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance, visit Focusinsgroup.com.

Drug Companies Love Profits

It's not too surprising that drug companies love profit and focus on staying in business by creating and marketing new drugs. The only reason they stay in business is because people buy their drugs.

Unfortunately, there is a great deal of evidence that indicates drug companies would prefer to increase their profits, rather than truly take care of the people they are supposed to help get well or cure. This isn't exactly something new, as it really all began when penicillin first appeared on the market. These days however, the grab for profits is even more pronounced, as the drug market is enormous and billions of dollars change hands yearly.

To understand the reason for the higher prices for drugs these days is to take a quick look behind the scenes at a drug company. They are driven by the bottom line, dollars or die. In order to keep afloat, every drug company has to have a new drug or two in the pipeline ready to come off the line and be sold to the marketplace. That's the first part of the equation.

The second part of the equation is that the drug in the pipeline, when it is ready to be released to the public, is under patent protection. That means they are able to charge high prices for it, which in turn generates mega profits to develop another drug; and so the cycle continues. However, brand name drugs do eventually come off patent, unless the drug company re-works an old for formula and calls it new (usually in an effort to keep generic drug manufacturers from competing with them.)

The drug market is particularly cut throat and most brand name manufacturers, also called Big Pharma, will go out of their way to avoid sharing profits with the generic drug companies. Call this a dirty deal, but Big Pharma has also been known to intentionally delay a patent by extending it, anything in the name of protecting their revenue pool – the consumers who need their medications.

All this means that consumers pay higher prices at the drug store for brand name drugs that don't work any better than the generic drugs. In fact, sometimes the old generic standbys work better than the newer ones, which have serious side effects.

Higher prices for drugs have driven health insurance companies to the point where they have put their foot down in an attempt to get control over the ever-increasing cost of drugs. The tide is starting to change, slowly, but inexorably to a preference for cheaper generic drugs. The bottom line here is in order to keep the cost of medical care down, buy generic drugs.

To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance, visit Focusinsgroup.com.

All Illinois Medicare Supplements Are the Same

You'd be surprised that many people don't know Illinois Medicare supplements are the same, no matter from which health insurance company you buy them. The only difference is how much you pay for them.

It's true; Medicare supplements are the same in every state of the Union, which makes it nice if you have to move from one place to another. While you might find this boring, there's something to be said for being boring but predictable, and therefore reliable. The extra coverage is out there if you aren't financially able to use a private health care carrier.

Just what is the "same" from state to state? The benefits are standardized, meaning every state offers exactly the same thing in their Medicare supplements packages. So there is absolutely no guessing what you have for health coverage or don't have for health coverage. It's all spelled out in Medicare in black and white. Every health care insurance company in your specific area has the same networks. So, that means it shouldn't matter from whom you buy.

Well it does matter whom you buy from because while the plans are all the same, the pricing for those plans are not. Translation: you will save money if you buy from the right health insurance company. The prices are different because each company is a private business, and they set their own rates. If you do some calling around, you may be pleasantly surprised. So get your calculator out before you call.

Pricing differences on Illinois Medicare supplements aren't a secret; in fact, everyone knows this. Insurance companies are just trying to do business in a competitive manner. Now that you know this, why not reconsider talking directly to an insurance agent. They have other information that you will ultimately need to know to decide from which company you want to buy.

If you want a deal on health care coverage, talk to an agent with a large pool of companies available. The more companies an agent has, the better the prices for health insurance premiums.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance, visit Focusinsgroup.com.

Cheap Illinois Health Insurance Is Easy to Find

If you take the time to comparison-shop, you will find cheaper Illinois health insurance quotes while surfing on the Internet. You just need to know what to look for and where to look.

We all want bargains, that's just a given. Who doesn't love to shop around and then find the best deal they can? It's almost a badge of honor to come home with a "steal of a deal." Well, you can get a "steal of a deal" if you shop around for cheaper health insurance premiums. Seriously, you can.

One word of caution though, don't take the first reasonable price you find. Keep looking and compare options on the websites you are visiting. While one site may offer you super drug coverage, the other may offer you super drug coverage plus a lower deductible. You just need to be able to weigh the various options for the price you are being asked to pay. It's like that old saying: " You get what you pay for." That is very true when it comes to health insurance.

Maybe taking the time to compare one site to another doesn't sound very appealing; however, if it means you will save money in the long-term, it's worth taking the extra time. Taking the extra time also means you will truly get what you want and need for a health insurance plan.

Be aware if you are comparing the same plan each place you shop, then the prices and the terms of service will be the same. It is smart insurance shopping to deal with a broker who handles multiple carriers and is able to show you right away the comparisons of each plan you are considering.

Here is a tip that might throw you off a bit. Now that you know what you want from comparing what you read online, call the insurance agent. Ask questions about what you see on their website, and here's why. Not everything the insurance company offers is on their website. There's just too much information; and the other reason you need to ask questions is because many times what is on the website is the preferred rate for those in virtually perfect health.

Talking to an agent will let you know what the rules are, what is covered in the health insurance plan you are considering, and what is not covered. Knowing what is not covered is sometimes more important than knowing what is covered - it's for those times later when you need particular coverage, so find this out upfront.

Here is another reason to speak directly to a competent agent. Reading material on a website is good for general information, but might not suit the specifics of your particular situation. This is why it makes good sense to ask questions, as the insurance agent is well-qualified to give you the run down on what is available for you, based on your particular circumstances.

By the way, one of the biggest reasons for health insurance rates to vary usually has to do with pre-existing conditions. This is something you definitely need to know before you purchase your Illinois health insurance.

Randy Gillespie is with Illinois health insurance agency, Focus Insurance Group. To learn more about Illinois health insurance, Illinois health insurance quotes, Illinois group health insurance, visit Focusinsgroup.com.