A Better Way Insurance Agency β€” family meeting with agent

Make sure you have the best health coverage. Don't settle for less.

There's a better way
to find health coverage.

We guide individuals, families, and the self-employed under age 65 through every option β€” ACA plans, private insurance, short-term coverage, health sharing, and supplemental plans. One call. Clear answers.

5Coverage Types
Explained
IL&MOLicensed in
Both States
$0Cost to
Use an Agent

Quick Contact

Larry M. Speir

Licensed Health Insurance Agent
Illinois & Missouri

912-414-0981 Request a Consultation
πŸ“… Open Enrollment runs November 1 – January 15. Special Enrollment Periods are available year-round for qualifying life events.

Coverage Options

Every path to coverage β€” explained honestly.

There's no single right answer for everyone. We take the time to understand your situation and walk you through what each option actually covers, costs, and requires.

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Private / Off-Exchange Insurance

ACA-compliant plans purchased directly from the carrier β€” same protections, no subsidy paperwork, and sometimes broader PPO networks unavailable on the exchange.

Pre-existing conditions covered No subsidies PPO networks available
Best forHigher-income earners, PPO network seekers
Key benefitNo income reconciliation at tax time
Learn More
⏱️

Short-Term Medical Plans

Budget-friendly coverage designed to bridge temporary gaps β€” between jobs, waiting for Open Enrollment, or aging off a parent's plan. Not ACA-compliant, but can provide meaningful hospital and emergency protection.

Underwriting required Limited benefits Low premiums
Best forHealthy individuals in a coverage gap
Key benefitSame-day or next-day effective dates
Learn More
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Health Sharing Plans

Community-based cost-sharing organizations where members share each other's medical bills. Not insurance β€” but a legitimate, lower-cost alternative for healthy individuals. Both faith-based and secular options available.

No network restrictions Not insurance Lower monthly costs
Best forFaith-aligned or cost-conscious healthy clients
Key benefitUse any provider, nationwide
Learn More
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Supplemental & Defined Benefit Plans

Cash-benefit plans that pay you directly when something happens β€” hospital stays, cancer diagnosis, accidents, critical illness. The smartest way to make a high-deductible plan truly affordable.

Cash paid directly to you No network restrictions Easy to layer on
TypesHospital Indemnity Β· Critical Illness Β· Accident Β· Cancer Β· GAP
Key benefitCovers what your main plan doesn't
Learn More

Quick Comparison

See how the options stack up.

Feature ACA Marketplace Off-Exchange Short-Term Health Share Supplemental
Subsidies Availableβœ… Yes❌ No❌ No❌ No❌ No
Pre-existing Coveredβœ… Yesβœ… Yes❌ No⚠️ Waiting Period⚠️ Varies
ACA-Compliantβœ… Yesβœ… Yes❌ No❌ No❌ No
Medical Underwritingβœ… Noneβœ… None❌ Required⚠️ Health Qs⚠️ Some
Monthly CostLow–MedHighLowLow–MedLow
Maternity Coverageβœ… Includedβœ… Included❌ Usually No❌ Often No⚠️ Riders Only
Year-Round Enrollment⚠️ SEP Only⚠️ SEP Onlyβœ… Yesβœ… Yesβœ… Yes
Best ForMost clientsHigh-income/PPOHealthy, gap coverageFaith-alignedFilling gaps

Not sure which fits your situation? A 15-minute call can answer that.

Talk to Larry

Why A Better Way

An agent who works for you, not a carrier.

🎯

Independent & Unbiased

We're not captive to one carrier. We shop the entire market β€” ACA plans, private options, health sharing, and supplemental products β€” and recommend what's right for you.

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Free to You

Our services cost you nothing. Agents are compensated by carriers β€” your premium is the same whether you work with an agent or go direct. Why not get expert guidance?

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Local IL & MO Knowledge

We understand the carrier landscape, provider networks, and regulatory nuances specific to Illinois and Missouri β€” including rural market gaps and metro options.

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Year-Round Support

We don't disappear after enrollment. Income change? New baby? Lost your job? We help you navigate Special Enrollment Periods and keep your coverage optimized.

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Bundled Solutions

We build coverage stacks that make sense together β€” pairing a high-deductible ACA plan with supplemental coverage to give you comprehensive protection at the right price.

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Subsidy Maximization

Many clients don't know they qualify for $0 or near-zero premiums. We run the numbers before recommending anything, because the right plan starts with the right income analysis.

Partner With Us

We serve your clients' needs you can't.

If you're a P&C agent, Medicare specialist, CPA, financial advisor, divorce attorney, or HR consultant β€” your clients need individual health insurance and you need a trusted partner who won't compete with your core business.

🏠

P&C Agents

Your business-owner clients who insure their $2M building often have zero health coverage. We handle health β€” you keep the commercial relationship. Full reciprocal referral arrangement.

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Medicare Agents

When your client turns 65 and goes on Medicare, what happens to their 60-year-old spouse? We handle the under-65 family member so no one in the household falls through the cracks.

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CPAs & Accountants

Self-employed premium deductions, HSA strategy, ICHRA setup, subsidy optimization at tax time β€” we speak your language and can co-serve your clients on the health side.

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Divorce Attorneys

Divorce triggers an immediate Special Enrollment Period. The day a decree is filed, your client may lose coverage. We can step in same-day with options.

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Financial Advisors

Early retirees at 55–64 need a bridge to Medicare. We help model coverage costs, minimize MAGI to maximize ACA subsidies, and protect the retirement plan you've built.

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HR Consultants

We implement ICHRA and QSEHRA solutions for small businesses, and cover employees who don't qualify for group benefits. Let us be your individual market resource.

Ready to build a referral relationship? Let's talk.

Call Larry: 912-414-0981

When Life Changes

You may qualify for coverage right now.

Special Enrollment Periods let you enroll outside of Open Enrollment when life changes. If any of these apply to you, call us today.

πŸ’ΌLost job or employer coverage
πŸ’Recently married or divorced
πŸ‘ΆNew baby or adoption
πŸ“¦Moved to a new area
πŸ’°Income changed significantly
πŸŽ‚Turning 26 (aging off parents' plan)
πŸ“‹Lost Medicaid or CHIP eligibility
πŸ₯Starting a business or going self-employed

From the Blog

Health insurance, explained in plain English.

Timely tips, enrollment guidance, and market updates for individuals and families in Illinois and Missouri.

View All Articles

Get Started

Let's find your better way.

No obligation. No pressure. Just a straightforward conversation about your options.

LS

Larry M. Speir

Licensed Health Insurance Agent
Illinois & Missouri

πŸ“ž

Phone

912-414-0981
πŸ“

Location

Columbia, IL 62236

πŸ—“οΈ

Open Enrollment

November 1 – January 15

βœ…

Licensed In

Illinois & Missouri

πŸ“ž Call Now: 912-414-0981

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