Illinois Health Insurance Guide

Health Insurance Overview in Illinois

Illinois operates a state-based marketplace (Get Covered Illinois) on its own enrollment platform since November 1, 2025. Illinois expanded Medicaid (Illinois Medicaid) in 2014. Illinois has implemented additional consumer protections and has a relatively competitive marketplace in the Chicago metro area. The state has worked to reduce the uninsured rate through aggressive outreach.

Average Health Insurance Costs in Illinois

Marketplace Enrollment in Illinois

Illinois residents can enroll in individual and family health insurance plans through Get Covered Illinois (State-Based). Open enrollment runs November 1 – January 15 (GetCoveredIllinois.gov).

Average Premiums by City in Illinois

Medicaid in Illinois

Illinois Medicaid covers adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Illinois has also extended coverage to certain immigrant populations beyond federal requirements.

Children's Health Insurance (CHIP) in Illinois

All Kids covers all children in Illinois regardless of immigration status or parental income.

What Makes Illinois Unique

Illinois has implemented the Illinois All Kids program ensuring every child in Illinois can get health coverage regardless of immigration status or income — building on CHIP to provide universal child health coverage. Illinois has also been a leader in mental health parity enforcement and essential health benefit requirements.

ACA Subsidies: What Illinois Residents Should Know

The enhanced subsidies first enacted in the American Rescue Plan expired at the end of 2025. For 2026, premium tax credits follow the original ACA rules: there is no credit above 400% (the “subsidy cliff”), and enrollees are expected to pay up to 9.96% of income toward the benchmark Silver plan. House in January 2026 but has not become law, so 2027 plans are being priced and subsidized under the same rules unless Congress acts.

Illinois Left HealthCare.gov: Get Covered Illinois Is Now the Marketplace

Starting with 2026 coverage, Illinois runs its own full state-based marketplace. Get Covered Illinois replaced HealthCare.gov on November 1, 2025, and existing accounts were migrated. If you search HealthCare.gov as an Illinois resident, you will be redirected — plans, financial help, and special enrollment requests now go through Get Covered Illinois.

Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027.

Cigna and Molina Are Leaving After 2026

Two insurers, Cigna and Molina, are exiting the Illinois individual market at the end of 2026. Their enrollees will need a new plan for 2027. If you don’t choose one, the marketplace may move you into a similar plan automatically, but the replacement may have a different network or drug list — check your doctors and prescriptions before accepting it.

Remaining insurers proposed a weighted average increase of about 14.1% for 2027 before subsidies, led by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois at about 14.9%. This comes after an average 30.1% full-price increase for 2026.

What Illinois Enrollees Actually Paid in 2026

Full-price increases look severe, but most enrollees don’t pay full price. In 2026, about 80% of Get Covered Illinois enrollees received financial help, with an average subsidy of about $688 a month and an average net premium of about $142 a month; 22% paid under $10 a month.

• Premium alignment started in 2026, raising Silver prices and therefore the federal credit — which can make Gold or Bronze plans unusually cheap after subsidies.
• Rate review authority: a 2023 law lets Illinois regulators modify or reject proposed individual-market rates.
• Pregnancy is a qualifying event for special enrollment in Illinois.
• Easy enrollment: you can check a box on your Illinois tax return to have your information shared with Medicaid and Get Covered Illinois.

Tips for Choosing Health Insurance in Illinois

Illinois residents should use GetCoveredIllinois.gov rather than the federal marketplace to ensure access to any state-specific programs. Medicaid covers low-income adults and all children. Chicago metro residents benefit from competitive insurer options. Subsidies are available for incomes 100-400% of the federal poverty level.

• Enroll during open enrollment (November 1 – January 15 (GetCoveredIllinois.gov)) — missing the deadline means waiting until the next open enrollment unless you have a qualifying life event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Illinois still use HealthCare.gov?

No. Illinois moved to its own state-based marketplace, Get Covered Illinois, on November 1, 2025, starting with 2026 coverage. Existing HealthCare.gov accounts were migrated.

Which insurers are leaving the Illinois marketplace for 2027?

Cigna and Molina are exiting the Illinois individual market at the end of 2026. Their enrollees need to choose a new plan during open enrollment, which runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027.

How much do Illinois marketplace enrollees pay after subsidies?

In 2026, about 80% of Get Covered Illinois enrollees received financial help, with an average net premium of about $142 a month; 22% paid under $10 a month.

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and reflects estimated industry averages and program eligibility rules as of 2026. Health insurance premiums, Medicaid eligibility thresholds, marketplace options, and program rules change annually. Always verify current eligibility and enrollment options at the official Get Covered Illinois (State-Based) or by contacting a certified navigator or broker. Premium figures shown are approximations before subsidies — actual net premiums depend on individual income, household size, and plan selection.