Insurance Questions? We Have Straight Answers.

Yes. Illinois expanded Medicaid under the ACA, and Illinois Medical Assistance now covers adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level. A single adult earning up to approximately $20,120 per year may qualify for free Medicaid coverage. Families qualify at proportionally higher income levels. Illinois Medicaid is administered through managed care organizations (MCOs) including Blue Cross Community Health Plans, Meridian Health Plan, Molina Healthcare of Illinois, and others. Our advisors check your Medicaid eligibility as part of every free consultation.

The main health insurance carriers in Illinois's individual and family market include: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (the dominant carrier), Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Ambetter from Celtic Insurance, Aetna (in select counties), Oscar Health (Chicago metro), and Molina Healthcare. Carrier availability varies significantly by county — our advisors know which carriers are available in your ZIP code.

All Kids is Illinois's CHIP program — providing low-cost or free health coverage for children through age 18 whose families earn too much for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. FamilyCare covers low-income parents and caretakers of children on Medicaid or All Kids. Our advisors help Illinois families navigate the full spectrum from Medicaid to All Kids to marketplace plans.

Open Enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 each year for coverage beginning February 1 or April 1. Outside Open Enrollment, a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is triggered by: losing job-based coverage, moving to a new Illinois county or state, getting married, having a baby, or aging off a parent's plan at 26. Illinois Medicaid and All Kids are available year-round.

Network participation varies by plan. BCBS Illinois's Blue Choice PPO has the broadest network in the state and includes most major Chicago hospital systems. UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus and Cigna Open Access also have strong Chicago networks. HMO plans are more restrictive. Our advisors cross-check your specific physicians against every plan's current provider directory before making a recommendation.

Yes. Premium tax credits are available to individuals and families earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level — and under recent legislation, some subsidy is available above 400% FPL as well. A single Illinois resident earning up to approximately $58,320 may qualify for meaningful subsidy assistance. Family eligibility extends proportionally. Our advisors calculate your exact subsidy at no charge.

Illinois eliminated its own individual mandate penalty in 2019 when the federal penalty was reduced to $0. There is currently no state tax penalty in Illinois for being uninsured. However, going uninsured exposes you to full medical costs — a single ER visit in Chicago can exceed $3,000–$10,000 without coverage.