Health Insurance - Chicago,IL

There are several websites that will compare options for you, such as:

www.eheathinsurance.com

I would google "health insurance comparisons". There is no guarantee that any policy/insurer you go with won't increase your rate each year.

I am insured under an individual plan through Medica and have been satisfied with their options for the last several years. I find the price affordable, but I have a very high deductible (would have to raid my retirement fund if I have any big health issues).

Options available to you depend on your state, your age, your health, and other factors.

Here's something we did that actually ended up working (so far). We went through a broker and re-applied for the same policy and our rates went down by something like $60/month. Our carrier has been doing the same thing every year, increasing the premium and the deductibles until it almost seems not worth it (until you break your arm riding your bike).

Some cynical people will blame this on the president, even while they fought tooth-and-nail to prevent any regulation of this industry. The truth of the matter is that a policy that cost $50/month twenty years ago now costs $500/month. For comparison, if inflation for automobiles was the same as for health insurance, a $5000 car in 1990 would now cost $50,000. Well, I bought a $5000 car twenty years ago, and a similar car today might run you around $9000.

There are many factors to the runaway inflation of health insurance, but the chief problem is that we are sending our checks to an industry that is run for its own profit and stock value, and can skim any amount off the top into their own pockets.

Here's one I would avoid: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UnitedHealth_Group

I have blue shield/blue cross and its doing the same thing. I'm sure it has something to do with Obama-care. It's horrifying. My husbands whole paycheck goes to insurance premiums. Makes you want to go on welfare... oh wait, that's what we are paying for. Hopefully everyone continues to pay their taxes and premiums for all of us ol' folks that will soon be on government assistance as well. You are young I'm guessing, make sure the decisions you make today are one's that will be good for YOUR future.
I've heard Humana is not one to pick. I don't know what your options are in Chicago, but I would definitely look for something other than Humana. If you can get a PPO rather than an HMO that is the route to go as well.

We have Blue Cross Blue Shield and, same thing. Even with a high deductible policy (ie we pay until $5200 comes out of our pocket...checkups shots, you name it) that they didn't pay out A DIME on...the rates still went up. It's disgusting and you are not rewarded for being careful with when you visit the doc and claim free!

Sorry I can't help other than tell you BCBS will do the same thing.

Health insurance has been going up for years and years, well before the health care reform of the one or two years. Our policy literally tripled in cost between 2000 and 2008, long before Obama became president. I agree that Humana is a terrible insurance company. I would be very careful, though, about being penny- wise and policy-foolish in selecting another health insurance company. You're unbelievably lucky that you rarely use your health insurance, but that could, unfortunately, change.

I had Humana for a year...I was told it was the worst insurance company out there and they were right. I switched...almost anything is better..get out of it fast! I have United of Omaha now, but practically anything is better...

I refer people to Patrick Kosloski with the Forest Agency. He can look over your plan and benefits and let you know if you might need a different plan or company. He works with BCBS as well as Humana and a couple others so he can really find you what you are looking for. I don't use him (husband's work pays for ins), but I know several people who are very happy with him and his ins plans, plus I think he can do most of the paperwork via computer. Call him at ###-###-####

It's the nature of the beast I am afraid. I think health insurance is going up everywhere. Our BC/BS policy just went up as well as my husband's policy through his work. My neighbor was recently complaining about her premiums going up as well. We usually shop around annually to check the rates. I find esurance.com to be pretty easy to use and the information has been pretty accurate.

It doesn't seem right to me either. Can't wait to read the responses.

If I were you, I'd contact Don Sinnott with Brian Feltes and Associates to get a no obligation quote. He can be reached on ###-###-####. If you'd like to send me your contact info, I can have him get in touch with you.