Quick Tip: How to beat rising health insurance costs as premiums skyrocket

CHICAGO (WLS) — Here’s a Quick Tip to beat rising health insurance costs in 2026.

A new report from Value Penguin by LendingTree shows Illinois health insurance premiums are up 11% this year, with popular plans now costing nearly 60% more than they did in 2022.

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To cut costs, you can utilize tax-free money. If your plan qualifies, put more into an HSA, or use an FSA, to pay medical bills with pre-tax dollars.

Second, avoid interest on medical bills. Ask doctors and hospitals about zero-interest payment plans instead of putting medical bills on a credit card.

Finally, free up cash elsewhere. Cut unused subscriptions or renegotiate phone and internet bills to offset higher premiums. Health care may cost more but smart moves can keep it from wrecking your budget.

You can view Value Penguin’s 2026 Illinois Health Insurance report here, with cost breakdowns by company, county, age, metal tier and plan type.

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