The Council Covers It

I Selected Insurance on the Marketplace… Now What?

Health insurance can sometimes feel like assembling IKEA furniture with no instructions and three leftover screws. In this episode of The Council Covers It, host Kate Morthland sits down with Morgan Winters, Director of Get Covered Illinois, to help consumers better understand what happens after enrolling in a Marketplace health plan. Whether you recently selected coverage through the Illinois Marketplace, switched plans during open enrollment, or are simply trying to decode terms like deductible, copay, and out-of-pocket maximum without your brain buffering, this episode walks through the practical basics of using your new health insurance with confidence. Morgan shares helpful guidance on: *  The first steps consumers should take once coverage begins  *  Understanding common insurance terminology  *  How to check what services your plan covers  *  Making sure doctors, specialists, and pharmacies are in-network  *  What to do if you receive an unexpected medical bill  *  Where consumers can turn for help when they have questions about their coverage  This episode is packed with practical tips designed to help Illinois consumers avoid common mistakes, save money, and make the most of their health insurance coverage. Resources & Links * Get Covered Illinois [https://getcovered.illinois.gov/] * Get Covered Illinois Phone Number: 1-866-311-1119 [tel:+18663111119] * Illinois Life & Health Insurance Council (ILHIC) [https://www.ilhic.com/] Subscribe & Listen Be sure to subscribe to The Council Covers It so you never miss an episode covering the latest conversations in life and health insurance across Illinois. 🎧 New episodes drop regularly with industry experts, policy discussions, and consumer-focused conversations that make insurance easier to understand. We’ll catch you next time on another episode of The Council Covers It!

Celebrating Life Insurance Awareness Month with the Illinois Department of Insurance

In this episode of The Council Covers It, we’re celebrating Life Insurance Awareness Month with a conversation designed to make life insurance simple, clear, and approachable. Host Kate Morthland sits down with Corbin McGhee from the Illinois Department of Insurance to break down what life insurance is, how to figure out how much coverage you need, and how to navigate your options as a consumer. Whether you’re shopping for a policy for the first time or just want to better understand how life insurance works, this episode is packed with practical tips, myth-busting, and insights from the state regulator working to protect Illinois consumers. Important Links: Home - IDOI [https://idoi.illinois.gov/] Contact Us [https://idoi.illinois.gov/aboutus/contactus.html]

Commanding the Senate Insurance Committee: A Woman’s View from the Chair

In this episode of The Council Covers It, we’re honored to welcome Senator Julie Morrison, Chairwoman of the Illinois Senate Insurance Committee and a powerhouse voice in public policy. From championing issues to navigating the complexities of insurance legislation, Senator Morrison brings clarity, compassion, and commitment to her role. Host Kate Morthland sits down with the Senator to explore: ✅ Her legislative priorities this session ✅ What it’s like to lead the Senate Insurance Committee ✅ How she balances consumer protections with insurance innovation ✅ The importance of bipartisanship and collaboration in policymaking ✅ Her favorite ways to decompress after a long day in the Capitol Whether you're a policymaker, insurance professional, or simply curious about how real change happens in Springfield, this episode is full of insight, perspective, and a few personal gems (comfort food, anyone?). Connect with Senator Morrison: E-Mail the Senator [https://senatorjuliemorrison.com/constituent-services/e-mail-the-senator] Senate Bill 2323 (SB 2323) [https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?GA=104&DocTypeID=SB&DocNum=2323&GAID=18&SessionID=114&LegID=162175] is discussed in this episode. Be sure to check it out for more context on the policy topics covered.

Organization Spotlight: The HAP Foundation

Join host Kate Morthland for a powerful conversation with Joseph Matty, President of The HAP Foundation, as they spotlight Missing Pieces—a program providing grief support, education, and resources to families coping with the loss of a child. We’ll explore how the HAP Foundation and Missing Pieces is helping communities and what’s ahead for the program across Illinois. 🔗 Connect with us: * Visit www.ilhic.com [http://www.ilhic.com] for more info * Visit the HAP Foundation [https://thehapfoundation.org/] for more info

Illinois’ Big Move: The Shift to a State-Based Health Exchange

Illinois is making a major shift in its health insurance marketplace by transitioning to a State-Based Exchange (SBE)—but what does that mean for you? In this episode of The Council Covers It, host Kate Morthland sits down with Director Morgan Winters, the expert leading this transition, to break down everything you need to know. Morgan brings a wealth of experience in healthcare policy and exchange operations, having played a key role in Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace, MNsure. Together, we’ll explore the goals, timeline, and impact of this shift—and what it means for Illinois residents. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ What a State-Based Exchange is and why Illinois is making the switch ✅ Key milestones in the transition and what to expect moving forward ✅ Insights from Illinois’ first Open Enrollment as a state-based exchange on the federal platform ✅ Lessons learned from other state-based exchanges and what’s crucial for success Keep in Touch: 📲 Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter (@IL_LHIC) for the latest updates on health and life insurance. 🎙️ Subscribe to The Council Covers It on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode! 🌐 Visit www.ilhic.com [http://www.ilhic.com] for more resources and updates. Learn More About GetCovered: 📌 Visit the Get Covered Illinois [https://getcovered.illinois.gov/] website for important information on health coverage. 📩 Sign up for State-Based Marketplace updates and meetings by clicking this link: HBEAC [https://idoi.illinois.gov/aboutus/hbeac.html]