Health Insurance Counsel

In order to stay alive, diabetic David Zoltan needs at least two types of insulin.

Unemployed for since 2009, before landing a marketing job last year, Zoltan could not afford health insurance, requiring him to pay up to $500 per month just for the insulin. Zoltan got laid off from his marketing job last year, but managed to save a hefty amount in order to pay for insurance costs.

“There would have been no way for me to pay for insulin on my own,” said Zoltan. “I had significant help from my doctors office, thankfully. They begged, borrowed and probably did everything but steal to get insulin for me.”

But Zoltan could get advice about how to navigate the complex world of insurance policies and find one that might help him under legislation proposed by Rep. Mary Flowers, (D-Chicago). The new health insurance security counsel proposed by Flowers could help people like Zoltan find out what the best and most cost effective insurance premiums are.

HB23 intends to create an independent office of consumer health insurance counsel to advocate on behalf of people who use health insurance.

The counsel’s office would come with a board made up of lawyers and business professionals to work on behalf of consumers, Flowers said.

This health insurance counsel would weigh in on health-care premiums with insurance companies and the Illinois Department of Insurance.

Since the proposal does not assign any price regulating authority, some health insurance advocates and insurance agents say the bill would do the same thing as the state’s current rate review program.

“We would be opposed to the counsel,” said Phil Lackman, vice president of government relations for the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois. “It’s all already there now.”

Lackman said many companies advocate rate regulation, but he maintained insurance companies need to price product in order to stay in business.

Stephani Becker, project director for Illinois Health Matters and senior policy adviser for Health and Disability Advocates, said she would be surprised if the bill passes because she has not heard of it being talked about at all.

“Merging the two ideas would be a better use of time,” said Becker, as opposed to having two departments that seemingly have the same purpose.

Rep. Flowers said the counsel would give consumers an ally to fight the state and the Department of Insurance. She said the agency often “goes along with insurance companies.”

Zoltan, who has paid up to $800 per month for insurance before joining the state’s insurance plan for people with pre-existing conditions, said any education and program fighting for best rates for consumers is a plus.

“Information in this very complicated sector is something that is very much needed,” said Zoltan. “Anybody who can simplify that information down to the individual needs of members of a community is a much-needed tool.”