Illinois Health Insurance for Self-Employed People and Families
Looking for health insurance in Illinois? We help self-employed people, 1099 workers, families and small business owners compare Get Covered Illinois and private health insurance options based on their budget, doctors, prescriptions and coverage needs.
Illinois now operates its own state Health Insurance Marketplace, Get Covered Illinois. With two insurers leaving for 2027, changing premiums and some unusual differences between Silver and Gold plan pricing, comparing plans carefully is important.
1099 Health Insurance is licensed to help clients in Illinois. Most consultations are completed by phone and screen-share, so we can review plans together wherever you live in the state.
Illinois Health Insurance at a Glance for 2027
| Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace | Get Covered Illinois |
|---|---|
| 2027 Open Enrollment | Currently listed as November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027 |
| Marketplace transition | Illinois moved from HealthCare.gov to its own state-based Marketplace for 2026 coverage. |
| Insurers leaving for 2027 | Cigna and Molina |
| Continuing 2027 filings | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Ambetter/Celtic, MercyCare, Oscar and UnitedHealthcare |
| Proposed 2027 rate changes | Approximately +9.2% to +14.9% among continuing issuers, based on current Illinois Department of Insurance filings. |
| Short-term health insurance | Short-term limited-duration health insurance cannot be sold to Illinois residents. |
| Medicaid | Illinois expanded Medicaid. New federal requirements affect some ACA Adult Medicaid members beginning in 2027. |
| Private health insurance | Other private coverage may also be available depending on the product and applicant's eligibility. Marketplace tax credits are only available through Get Covered Illinois. |
What's Changing for Illinois Health Insurance in 2027?
Cigna and Molina are leaving Get Covered Illinois
Beginning January 1, 2027, Cigna and Molina plans will no longer be available through Get Covered Illinois.
Customers with Cigna or Molina coverage can remain covered through December 31, 2026, as long as premiums continue to be paid.
If you currently have one of these plans, compare replacement coverage during Open Enrollment. Your doctors, hospitals, medications and out-of-pocket costs can be very different under a replacement plan.
Illinois insurers have proposed 2027 rate increases
The Illinois Department of Insurance is currently listing the following proposed average rate changes for continuing individual-market insurers.
| Insurance Company | Proposed Average 2027 Rate Change |
|---|---|
| Ambetter / Celtic Insurance Company | +9.2% |
| MercyCare HMO | +12.15% |
| UnitedHealthcare of Illinois | +12.35% |
| Oscar Health Plan | +12.7% |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois | +14.9% |
| Cigna | Leaving Get Covered Illinois for 2027 |
| Molina | Leaving Get Covered Illinois for 2027 |
These are proposed average rate changes, not your exact premium increase.
Your actual cost can depend on your age, ZIP code, insurance company, plan, household information and eligibility for financial assistance.
Final approved rates may differ from the original filings, so this section should be reviewed again when the Illinois Department of Insurance publishes final 2027 rates.
What Is Get Covered Illinois?
Get Covered Illinois is Illinois's official state Health Insurance Marketplace.
Beginning with 2026 coverage, Illinois residents began applying and enrolling directly through Get Covered Illinois instead of HealthCare.gov.
If you qualify for federal Marketplace premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions, Get Covered Illinois is where you access that financial assistance.
You can get help from a licensed broker
Get Covered Illinois allows certified brokers and navigators to assist customers with applications and plan selection.
We can help you compare the plans available in your area, review provider networks and prescriptions, and understand how the coverage differs before you make a decision.
Why Gold Plans Can Sometimes Cost Less Than Silver in Illinois
Illinois changed the way Marketplace Silver plans are priced beginning with the 2026 plan year.
The pricing strategy increased the amount of federal premium tax credits available to many eligible Illinois consumers. As a result, some people found that a Gold plan could cost less per month than a Silver plan even though the Gold plan generally pays a larger share of covered medical costs.
That does not mean everyone should choose Gold.
If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions, those extra savings on deductibles, copays and other out-of-pocket expenses are only available when you enroll in an eligible Silver plan.
The practical lesson is simple: don't choose a metal level by habit. Compare Bronze, Silver and Gold plans side by side.
Financial Help With Illinois Health Insurance
Eligible Illinois residents may receive federal Premium Tax Credits when purchasing coverage through Get Covered Illinois.
The enhanced federal tax credits that were temporarily available through 2025 expired. Financial assistance remains available for people who qualify, but the amount may be lower.
Under current rules, households above 400% of the federal poverty level are generally no longer eligible for Marketplace Advanced Premium Tax Credits.
Income is especially important for self-employed people
Marketplace assistance is based on your expected annual household income.
For someone who is self-employed, your net self-employment income and other household income can affect your eligibility.
If your income changes during the year, update your Get Covered Illinois application. For questions involving business deductions, retirement contributions, HSAs or taxes, speak with a qualified tax professional.
Illinois Medicaid Changes for 2027
Illinois expanded Medicaid, and many low-income adults qualify through the ACA Adult Medicaid category.
Beginning in 2027, new federal rules affect some adults in this Medicaid expansion group.
Work and activity requirements
For affected ACA Adult Medicaid members, the requirement can generally be met by:
- Earning at least $580 during a month
- Working at least 80 hours during a month
- Participating in qualifying school or education
- Volunteering or participating in an approved work program
Many exemptions apply, and the new requirements do not apply to every Illinois Medicaid member.
Eligibility reviews become more frequent
Affected ACA Adult Medicaid members will move from annual eligibility reviews to reviews every six months beginning with their applicable 2027 redetermination.
All Kids and other Medicaid programs
Illinois also provides coverage through programs such as All Kids and FamilyCare. The new ACA Adult work requirement does not apply to every Medicaid eligibility category.
Health Insurance for Self-Employed Illinoisans
If you work for yourself, you usually don't have an employer choosing your health plan or contributing toward your premium.
We help self-employed Illinois residents compare more than just the monthly price, including:
- Monthly premiums
- Deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs
- Provider networks
- Prescription coverage
- Marketplace financial assistance
- Bronze, Silver and Gold plan differences
- Marketplace versus private health insurance options
We regularly help:
Illinois Health Insurance Options
Get Covered Illinois Marketplace Plans
Get Covered Illinois offers individual and family Marketplace health plans.
Marketplace plans cover pre-existing conditions and include the essential health benefits and consumer protections required under federal law.
Get Covered Illinois is also the only place to access Marketplace premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.
Private Health Insurance
Some Illinois residents may also have private health coverage options outside Get Covered Illinois, depending on the product and eligibility requirements.
Private coverage can have different benefits, provider networks, exclusions, underwriting rules and out-of-pocket costs than Marketplace coverage.
Marketplace premium tax credits cannot be used for coverage purchased outside Get Covered Illinois.
We can compare the differences with you before you apply.
Illinois Medicaid
Illinois expanded Medicaid and provides coverage to eligible low-income residents.
Applications for Medicaid are available throughout the year.
Short-Term Health Insurance
Short-term limited-duration health insurance is not available for sale to Illinois residents.
Illinois prohibited insurance companies from selling or renewing short-term limited-duration policies for Illinois residents beginning January 1, 2025.
If you need temporary coverage, we can review whether a Special Enrollment Period, COBRA, Medicaid or another appropriate option may be available.
Health Sharing Programs
Health sharing memberships may be available, but they are not health insurance.
Payment of medical expenses is not guaranteed in the same way covered benefits are paid according to the terms of an insurance contract.
Small Business Health Insurance
Illinois employers may have access to traditional group health insurance and other employer health benefit arrangements.
Dental, Vision and Supplemental Coverage
Dental, vision, accident, critical illness and other supplemental products may be available alongside medical coverage.
Individual and Family Coverage
Whether you're buying insurance for yourself, a spouse or your family, we can help compare plans based on your Illinois ZIP code, doctors and prescriptions.
Pregnancy Can Open a Special Enrollment Period in Illinois
Illinois recognizes a confirmed pregnancy as a qualifying life event for Get Covered Illinois coverage.
An eligible person generally has 60 days after the pregnancy is confirmed to apply for or update Marketplace coverage.
This is different from the rules in many states, where pregnancy itself does not create a Special Enrollment Period.
Check Your Illinois Doctors and Hospitals Before Enrolling
Provider networks can vary substantially between Illinois plans, even when two plans are offered by the same insurer.
Depending on where you live, hospital systems you may want to check include:
- Northwestern Medicine
- Rush University System for Health
- UChicago Medicine
- Advocate Health
- Loyola Medicine
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
- OSF HealthCare
- Carle Health
This is especially important for people replacing Cigna or Molina coverage for 2027.
During a phone or screen-share consultation, we can help check your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions while comparing your options.
Serving All 102 Illinois Counties
We help Illinois residents by phone and screen-share, so you can compare coverage without traveling to an insurance office.
We work with clients in Chicago, Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Rockford, Elgin, Springfield, Peoria, Champaign, Bloomington, the Metro East and communities throughout Illinois.
Plan availability, provider networks and premiums can vary by county and ZIP code, so we compare the plans actually available where you live.
Convenient Illinois Health Insurance Consultations
Most consultations are completed by phone. When it helps to compare plans together, we can use screen-sharing so you can see premiums, benefits, networks and other plan details while we discuss your options.
How It Works
Schedule a Call
Choose a convenient time for a phone consultation. If helpful, we can use screen-sharing to review plan information together.
Compare Your Options
We compare premiums, Bronze, Silver and Gold options, financial assistance, provider networks, prescriptions and Marketplace versus private coverage when appropriate.
Choose and Apply
If you find an option that works for you, we help with the application and remain available for questions after enrollment.
Illinois Health Insurance FAQ
When is Illinois health insurance Open Enrollment for 2027?
Get Covered Illinois currently lists annual Open Enrollment as November 1 through January 15. Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage begins November 1, 2026.
What is Get Covered Illinois?
Get Covered Illinois is Illinois's official state-based Health Insurance Marketplace. Illinois began enrolling residents directly through the state platform for 2026 coverage.
My Cigna or Molina plan is ending. What should I do?
Cigna and Molina plans will no longer be available through Get Covered Illinois beginning January 1, 2027.
Compare replacement plans during Open Enrollment and make sure your doctors, hospitals and medications are included before selecting new coverage.
Which companies are expected to remain on Get Covered Illinois for 2027?
Current 2027 filings include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Ambetter/Celtic, MercyCare, Oscar and UnitedHealthcare.
Plan and insurer availability varies by county.
How much are Illinois health insurance rates increasing for 2027?
Current proposed average rate changes for continuing individual-market insurers range from approximately 9.2% to 14.9%.
Your actual premium depends on your age, ZIP code, plan and eligibility for financial assistance. Final approved rates may differ from the proposed filings.
Why can a Gold plan cost less than Silver in Illinois?
Illinois changed Silver-plan pricing beginning with the 2026 plan year in a way that increased federal premium tax credits for many eligible consumers.
As a result, some Gold plans can have lower net premiums than Silver plans. If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions, however, you must choose an eligible Silver plan to receive those additional out-of-pocket savings.
Can self-employed people buy health insurance through Get Covered Illinois?
Yes. Self-employed individuals, independent contractors and freelancers can buy individual coverage through Get Covered Illinois if they meet the Marketplace eligibility requirements.
Can I choose private health insurance outside Get Covered Illinois?
Some Illinois residents may have other private coverage options depending on the product and eligibility requirements.
Marketplace premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions are only available through Get Covered Illinois.
Can I buy short-term health insurance in Illinois?
No. Insurance companies have been prohibited from selling or renewing short-term limited-duration health insurance policies for Illinois residents since January 1, 2025.
Is pregnancy a qualifying life event in Illinois?
Yes. A confirmed pregnancy can create a Special Enrollment Period through Get Covered Illinois. An eligible person generally has 60 days after confirmation of pregnancy to apply for or update coverage.
What is changing with Illinois Medicaid in 2027?
Certain adults in Illinois's ACA Medicaid expansion population will become subject to new federal work or activity requirements beginning in 2027.
Affected members will also move to six-month eligibility reviews. Numerous exemptions apply.
Can I buy Marketplace coverage outside Open Enrollment?
You generally need to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period after a qualifying life event such as losing other coverage, marriage, pregnancy, having a baby or certain moves.
Illinois Medicaid applications are available throughout the year for people who qualify.
Can you help check my doctors and prescriptions?
Yes. Have the names of your doctors, specialists, preferred hospitals and medications available during your consultation. We can help check them while reviewing your coverage options.
How do consultations work?
Most consultations are completed by phone. When it is useful to review plans together, we can use screen-sharing so you can see the coverage information while we discuss it.
Get Help Comparing Illinois Health Insurance
With Cigna and Molina leaving, proposed premiums changing and Illinois's unusual Silver-versus-Gold pricing, comparing your 2027 options is especially important.
We can help you compare Get Covered Illinois and private health insurance options by phone or screen-share.
Illinois Health Insurance Sources
- Get Covered Illinois — Marketplace enrollment, plan choices and financial assistance
- Get Covered Illinois — 2027 Cigna and Molina plan changes
- Illinois Department of Insurance — 2027 individual-market rate filings
- Illinois Department of Insurance — short-term limited-duration insurance rules
- Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services — 2027 Medicaid eligibility and work-requirement changes
