Answers

Click on these frequently asked questions below for the answers you're seeking!

Does it cost anything to be an ECHI member?
How do you join ECHI?
How do I join the McLean County Chamber of Commerce?
Can I enroll in ECHI at any time?
What Types of insurance plans does ECHI offer?
Who is Health Alliance Medical Plans?
What type of group plan does Health Alliance provide?
How does ECHI protect employers from the impact of isolated health insurance losses and/or being priced out of the market?
Will ECHI membership ensure me with cheaper rates than I currently have?
How are the health insurance renewal increases determined for ECHI members?

Does it cost anything to be an ECHI member?
No. However, there are annual dues associated with being a McLean County Chamber (MCC) member and you do need to be a member of MCC to enroll in ECHI. Currently, only employers that are members of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, domiciled in McLean County, and have between 2 and 500 employees are eligible to participate in ECHI.

How do you join ECHI?
If you are interested in ECHI, please contact the McLean County Chamber of Commerce by phone or e-mail. They will offer you program information, and, if you are interested in the health insurance offering, will refer you to a preferred agent to offer you a quote. Please note only McLean County Chamber of Commerce members are eligible to participate in ECHI.

How do I join the McLean County Chamber of Commerce?
For more information on the McLean County of Commerce, please contact (309) 829-6344 or e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Can I enroll in ECHI at any time?
Employers can enroll in ECHI at any time. Most employers enroll in ECHI when their existing policy comes up for annual renewal. If you are considering switching insurance carriers, it is best to start 2-3 months in advance to give you plenty of time to consider your options.

What Types of insurance plans does ECHI offer?
ECHI does not market or sell insurance - however, Health Alliance does. ECHI members can select any one of several plan designs or products from Health Alliance's offerings to meet their specific needs. Any one of the "preferred agencies" can answer any insurance questions you might have. Please refer to the Partners page for a listing of "preferred agencies."

Who is Health Alliance Medical Plans?
Health Alliance, headquartered in Urbana, Illinois, is a well-respected regional carrier with networks spanning Central Illinois and Iowa. Locally, their network consists of BroMenn Healthcare and OSF HealthCare. For additional information on Health Alliance and their products, please consult any of the "preferred agencies" located on the Partners page.

What type of group plan does Health Alliance provide?

HMO (Health Maintenance) https://healthalliance.org/groups_hmo.asp
PPO (Preferred Provider) https://healthalliance.org/groups_ppo.asp
POS (Point of Service) https://healthalliance.org/groups_pos.asp
HSA (Health Savings Account)
HRAs (Health Reimbursement Arrangements) https://healthalliance.org/groups_HRA.asp
Plus Plans https://healthalliance.org/groups_hmo.asp

How does ECHI protect employers from the impact of isolated health insurance losses and/or being priced out of the market?
Sometimes an employer experiences an isolated surge in claim costs, often as the result of a single, larger loss. For an employer with less than a few hundred employees, claims costs can unexpectedly add up beyond premium accrued levels making them vulnerable to unpredictable rate increases.

However, through ECHI's long-term partnership with Health Alliance Medical Plans, members aggregate the loss experience of the entire group as well as factor in their own. Consequently, the impact of a larger loss is dissipated across the group.

Will ECHI membership ensure me with cheaper rates than I currently have?
The cost of health insurance is influenced by several factors including where you live or work, the age and health of your workforce, plan design, and your health carrier. To help ensure ECHI's members save money on health insurance, local employers have access to preferred rates and negotiated renewal increases. While members may see some immediate cost-savings from preferred rates, the main focus of ECHI's program is helping employers to control renewal costs year after year.

How are the health insurance renewal increases determined for ECHI members?
Renewal increases are determined by the profitability and/or loss experience of the entire membership as well as their own. This can help protect employers from the impact of larger, isolated losses and decrease an employer's vulnerability of being priced out of the market.

No matter how you slice it, ECHI is a smart business decision. Call the McLean County Chamber of Commerce today at (309) 829-6344. Simply say: Tell me about ECHI today!