September, 29th 2025

The Employers’ Coalition for Healthcare, Inc. (ECHI), in partnership with the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce and UnitedHealthcare (UHC), is proud to announce the launch of the ECHI Health Program powered by the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce. This exclusive program, available beginning with October 1, 2025 effective dates, provides chamber members across Illinois with access to UnitedHealthcare’s Level-Funded health plans at discounted rates.

The new program replaces ECHI’s prior offering through Health Alliance and delivers chamber members UnitedHealthcare’s lowest-cost health plan option currently available in Illinois. Designed to meet the needs of small and mid-sized employers, the ECHI Health Program combines affordability, flexibility, and broad access to providers.

This Program brings chamber members access to UHC’s Level-Funded health plan, available to employer groups with as few as 2 enrolled employees. Highlights include:

• Exclusive 5% Chamber Discount – groups quoted through the ECHI Health Program receive a 5% discount below UHC’s base rates, with savings increasing up to 10% when dental and vision are bundled.
• Eligibility – groups of 2+ employees may qualify, with underwriting determining final rates.
• Significant Savings – healthy groups can achieve double-digit discounts compared to fully insured ACA rates.
• Shared Savings – employers with good performance over the course of the plan year can receive 50% of unused claim dollars back.
• Flexibility – access to over 100 plan design options, from lean HSA-compatible plans to richer copay models, all with UHC’s broad national network.

Ancillary Benefits Option: In addition to medical coverage, members also have access to an exclusive ancillary benefits platform through Companion Life. This program uses a defined contribution model (starting as low as $25 per employee per month) that allows employers to set a fixed budget while giving employees the freedom to choose from a menu of guarantee-issue benefits – including dental, vision, life, disability, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity. All products come with a three-year rate guarantee and are integrated into a single, streamlined enrollment and billing platform.

More information and enrollment details will be shared soon.