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.
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 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. In the meantime, please reach out to your broker, agent, or benefits advisor for additional guidance.
FAQs
What is the cost to join ECHI?
Members of Vermilion Advantage are automatically qualified to participate in ECHI.
How can I find out if ECHI can help my business?
For more information, please contact the following brokers.
- Epric Insurance Midwest – Don Carless
- 214-477-5393
- don.carless@epicbrokers.com
- 360 Benefits Group – Cory Matlock or Morgan McConnell
- 309-830-2317
- cory.matlock@360benefitsgroup.org
- morgan.mcconnell@360benefitsgroup.org
- IPG – Jim Moore or Jessica Wilson
- 217-442-6500
- jim@ipgins.com
- jessica@ipgins.com
When can I enroll in ECHI?
Employers can enroll in ECHI at any time. If you are considering switching insurance carriers or purchasing benefits, it is best to start at least one month in advance to allow plenty of time to consider your options.
About ECHI
In 1994, a group of local business leaders came together faced with a common, concerning problem: the need for affordable healthcare coverage for small and medium-sized employers. These businesses realized that as single employers they had no protection from rising rates, no negotiating power and no one to listen. However, when they joined together as a group they had strength in numbers.
Thanks to the support of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, ECHI was formed. This powerful alliance had the ear of local health insurance providers and understood the concerns of many local business leaders. As a result, new relationships were formed with insurance companies, benefits providers, and local insurance brokers, enabling ECHI members to receive benefits equivalent to those of larger employers.
Today, ECHI has over 100 members with nearly 1,500 lives covered by its health insurance contracts. Plus, organizational benefits have been expanded to include valuable services such as discounted employee benefits and an online healthcare information center.
ECHI Board of Directors
| Denise Geske Fox & Hounds Salon & Day Spa | Tom Mercier Bloomington Offset Process, Inc.
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| April Fritzen Coffee Hound Co. | Ken Solem Moe’s Southwest Grill-Normal |
| Robin Juhler Mid-Illini Credit Union | Cortney Helfrich Wilber Group |
Learn More
Interested in learning more about how your business can join ECHI? Contact Vermilion Advantage