Updated November 2026 for the 2027 plan year. This page lists the health insurance companies selling coverage in Illinois: the insurers on the ACA Marketplace, the companies with the largest share of the commercial market, the Medicaid managed care plans and the leading Medicare Advantage carriers. HCSC (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois) is the largest commercial health insurer in Illinois, with 62% of the market, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
For coverage you buy yourself, Illinois residents use Get Covered Illinois. For 2027, 5 insurers are expected to offer Marketplace plans there, based on federal and state filings.
Illinois Health Insurance at a Glance
| Measure | Illinois | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Largest commercial insurer (share of market) | HCSC (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois) (62%) | AMA, 2024 data |
| Second-largest commercial insurer | UnitedHealth Group (15%) | AMA, 2024 data |
| ACA Marketplace | Get Covered Illinois | |
| Marketplace plan selections, 2026 | 448,568 (-3.7% from 2025) | CMS |
| Average monthly Marketplace premium after tax credits | $230 in 2026 ($190 in 2025) | CMS |
| Medicaid enrollees, 2024 | 3,418,634 | CMS |
| Share of Medicaid enrollees in comprehensive managed care | 75.6% | CMS, 2024 |
| Medicare Advantage plans, 2027 | 136 (157 in 2026) | CMS |
| Largest Medicare Advantage carrier | CVS (Aetna) (31%) | AMA, 2024 data |
Largest Health Insurance Companies in Illinois
The AMA’s annual Competition in Health Insurance report measures each insurer’s share of enrollment in the commercial market, which includes employer plans and individual coverage, and in Medicare Advantage. The latest edition uses enrollment as of January 1, 2024.
| Market | Largest insurer | Share | Second-largest insurer | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial (employer and individual) | HCSC (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois) | 62% | UnitedHealth Group | 15% |
| Medicare Advantage | CVS (Aetna) | 31% | Humana | 25% |
The Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in Illinois: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (division of Health Care Service Corporation). For every company, including national carriers, see our List of Health Insurance Companies.
ACA Marketplace Insurers in Illinois for 2026 and 2027
| Insurer | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (HCSC) | Yes | Yes |
| Celtic Insurance Co. (Ambetter) | Yes | Yes |
| Cigna HealthCare of Illinois | Yes | No |
| MercyCare HMO | Yes | Yes |
| Molina Healthcare of Illinois | Yes | No |
| Oscar Health Plan | Yes | Yes |
| UnitedHealthcare | Yes | Yes |
Five insurers will sell on Get Covered Illinois in 2027, after Cigna and Molina leave on January 1. Ambetter is expanding to 21 more counties. The Illinois Department of Insurance approved an average individual-market rate increase of 14.1% for 2027, after 28.8% for 2026.
Source: state exchange and insurance department. Insurer names are brand names; an insurer may sell in only part of the state. Check plans for your ZIP code at Get Covered Illinois.
Medicaid Managed Care Plans in Illinois
Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) runs Medicaid in Illinois. In 2024, 75.6% of the state’s 3,418,634 Medicaid enrollees were in comprehensive managed care plans, according to CMS; see our Medicaid managed care by state data. Programs: HealthChoice Illinois (HCI).
- Aetna Better Health of Illinois
- Blue Cross Community Health Plans
- Meridian Health Plan
- Molina Healthcare
- CountyCare Health Plan (Cook County only)
- YouthCare (Meridian; former youth in care)
New HCI contracts awarded June 8, 2026 (announced June 15, 2026): Aetna Better Health of Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Humana Benefit Plan of Illinois (new), Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, Molina Healthcare of Illinois, and CountyCare (Cook only). Initial term 4.5 years plus an optional 5.5-year renewal.
Source: Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS).
Medicare Advantage in Illinois
People with Medicare in Illinois can choose from 136 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, compared with 157 in 2026, and 100% have access to a plan with a $0 monthly premium, according to CMS. The largest Medicare Advantage carriers are CVS (Aetna) (31%) and Humana (25%), according to the AMA. Compare every state on our Medicare Advantage plans by state page, and see our Medigap vs Medicare Advantage guide before you choose.
Recent Developments in Illinois
- Illinois launched its own state-based exchange, Get Covered Illinois, for plan year 2026; KFF reports the state lost three insurers from 2025 to 2026. (source)
- HFS awarded new HealthChoice Illinois Medicaid MCO contracts on June 8, 2026, adding Humana as a new statewide plan. (source)
- AMA ranks Illinois among the 10 least competitive state commercial markets in 2024 (6th); HCSC holds 62% of the combined market. (source)
How To Choose a Health Insurer in Illinois
- Compare Marketplace plans for your ZIP code and update your income to get the right tax credit.
- Check that your doctors and hospitals are in network; our HMO vs PPO vs EPO guide explains the differences.
- Compare the out-of-pocket maximum as well as the premium.
- If your insurer is leaving the Marketplace for 2027, choose a new plan by December 15 for coverage starting January 1.
- For complaints or help with a denied claim, contact the Illinois Department of Insurance.
For statewide enrollment and premium trends, see our ACA Marketplace enrollment by state data, and follow our Health Insurance Companies hub for insurer news.
Sources
American Medical Association, Competition in Health Insurance: A Comprehensive Study of U.S. Markets (2025 update, 2024 data); CMS 2026 and 2025 Open Enrollment State-Level Public Use Files; CMS Marketplace plan data files for 2026 and 2027; CMS Medicaid Managed Care Enrollment (2024); CMS 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D state fact sheets; KFF 2024 Transparency in Coverage data; Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS).