Ambetter is the best health insurance company in Illinois, offering a strong balance of monthly premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket limits. Other leading insurers in the state include Molina Healthcare, Oscar Health, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, MercyCare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, each providing competitive plans with varying cost structures and network options. Comparing average monthly rates, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket costs can help you identify the plan that best fits your healthcare needs and budget. The table below highlights each provider’s key metrics along with their highest-rated plan according to MoneyGeek scores.
Best Health Insurance in Illinois (2026)
Updated: January 27, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Ambetter is the best health insurance provider in Illinois, delivering a strong balance of affordable premiums, manageable deductibles, and competitive maximum out-of-pocket limits across its plans.
Molina Healthcare offers the cheapest health insurance in Illinois, but its deductibles are higher than other providers.
When shopping for health insurance in Illinois, pay close attention to how monthly premiums, deductibles, provider networks, and out-of-pocket maximums fit together, as plans with lower upfront costs often come with higher cost-sharing or more limited network access. Request quotes from multiple companies to find the best match for your needs and budget.
Best Health Insurance Companies in Illinois
| Ambetter | $705 | $8,320 | $6,320 | 4.1 | Clear Silver |
| Molina Healthcare | $509 | $9,255 | $6,250 | 4.1 | Molina Silver Saver 70 with Four Free PCP or MH Visits |
| Oscar Health Plan, Inc. | $601 | $9,400 | $4,672 | 4.1 | Silver Elite Saver Plus Rx Copay (Select) |
| UnitedHealthcare of Illinois, Inc. | $776 | $9,833 | $2,833 | 4.0 | UHC Silver Copay Focus (No Referrals) |
| Cigna HealthCare of IL, Inc. | $620 | $9,300 | $5,233 | 4.0 | Connect Silver CMS Standard |
| MercyCare HMO, Inc. | $669 | $9,450 | $4,250 | 4.0 | MercyCare Silver Health Savings |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $725 | $9,208 | $5,385 | 3.8 | Blue Precision Silver HMO 704 |
*Our picks are the best health insurance options for 40-year-olds looking for Silver-tier HMO plans.
Ambetter
MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ 5
4.2/5Affordability
3/5Deductible
5/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$705Average MOOP
$8,320Average Deductible
$6,320
Molina Healthcare
MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ 5
5/5Affordability
2.5/5Deductible
3.1/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$509Average MOOP
$9,255Average Deductible
$6,250
Oscar
MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ 5
4.6/5Affordability
3.7/5Deductible
2.8/5MOOP
Average Monthly Rate
$601Average MOOP
$9,400Average Deductible
$4,672
Best Health Insurance in Illinois by Category
Health insurance costs in Illinois vary widely depending on age, plan type, and metal tier, with Silver plans ranging from $363 to $2,289 per month across different demographics. To help you identify the best options, we compared premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums for leading insurers by age group and plan type. This breakdown highlights which providers offer the strongest value for HMO, POS, and PPO coverage at each life stage.
By Age:
- Teens (18): Molina Healthcare HMO plans cost $363 monthly, Ambetter HMO plans cost $504, and Blue Cross Blue Shield offers POS coverage at $419 and PPO at $770.
- Young adults (26): Molina Healthcare leads HMO coverage at $408 monthly. Ambetter HMO plans cost $565, while Blue Cross Blue Shield POS runs $470 and PPO coverage costs $864.
- Adults (40): Molina Healthcare HMO plans cost $509 monthly, Ambetter HMO plans cost $705, Blue Cross Blue Shield POS costs $587 and PPO plans cost $1,078.
- Seniors (60): Molina Healthcare charges $1,080 monthly for HMO plans, Ambetter charges $1,500 for HMO coverage, Blue Cross Blue Shield charges $1,247 for POS and $2,289 for PPO plans.
Plan Type:
- PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield is Illinois's only PPO provider, charging 40-year-olds $1,078 monthly with a $3,933 deductible and $9,883 MOOP.
- HMO: Ambetter offers the best HMO coverage for 40-year-olds at $705 monthly with a $6,320 deductible and $8,320 MOOP.
- POS: Blue Cross Blue Shield charges 40-year-olds $587 monthly with a $4,667 deductible and $9,000 MOOP.
Compare Illinois Health Insurance Providers
Health insurance costs in Illinois differ by provider, with monthly premiums, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket limits all varying. Use filters for age, metal tier, plan type, and HSA eligibility to find and compare the coverage that best fits your needs.
Data filtered by:
HMO
Silver
40
No
| Ambetter | $705 | HMO | Silver | $8,320 | $6,320 | 40 | No |
| Molina Healthcare | $509 | HMO | Silver | $9,255 | $6,250 | 40 | No |
| Oscar Health Plan, Inc. | $601 | HMO | Silver | $9,400 | $4,672 | 40 | No |
| UnitedHealthcare of Illinois, Inc. | $776 | HMO | Silver | $9,833 | $2,833 | 40 | No |
| Cigna HealthCare of IL, Inc. | $620 | HMO | Silver | $9,300 | $5,233 | 40 | No |
| MercyCare HMO, Inc. | $669 | HMO | Silver | $9,450 | $4,250 | 40 | No |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $725 | HMO | Silver | $9,208 | $5,385 | 40 | No |
How to Choose the Best Health Insurance in Illinois
Choosing health insurance in Illinois means weighing premiums against deductibles, network access and coverage limits.
- 1Assess your health care needs
Review your current medications, planned procedures and doctor visit frequency to determine which coverage level works best. Past medical expenses help predict future costs and guide your deductible choice. Factor in chronic conditions or family medical history that might require specialist care in Chicago or suburban Cook County.
- 2Compare multiple insurer quotes
Request rates from at least three Illinois health insurance companies to spot price differences and coverage variations. Companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Aetna and Humana have different pricing structures. Small business owners in Rockford or Peoria should expect rate variations of 15 to 30% between carriers for similar coverage.
- 3Verify provider networks
Confirm your preferred doctors, specialists and hospitals accept the plans you're considering. Out-of-network care costs more and may require full payment upfront. Major health systems like Northwestern Medicine or Advocate Health Care participate in different networks, so check before enrolling.
- 4Review cost-sharing details
Higher deductibles lower monthly premiums but increase upfront costs when you need care. Your out-of-pocket maximum caps annual expenses. Illinois plans offer deductibles ranging from $1,000 to $8,000, with corresponding premium differences that can impact your business budget.
- 5Evaluate plan types
HMOs, PPOs, EPOs and POS plans each offer different trade-offs. HMOs require referrals but cost less. PPOs offer flexibility to see specialists without approval at higher premiums. EPOs and POS plans fall between these options, providing moderate costs with some network flexibility.
- 6Explore federal programs
Subsidies and Medicare plans make health insurance more affordable for eligible individuals. If you have a low income, qualifying disability or are 65 or older, explore Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement options. These programs can reduce monthly costs for qualifying Illinois residents.
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Illinois?
POS plans provide the most affordable health insurance across all metal tiers in Illinois. Bronze POS plans average $389 per month, Silver costs $587, and Gold runs $476. HMO plans are slightly more expensive, with Bronze at $496, Silver at $702, and Gold at $618 per month.
PPO plans are the highest-cost option, with Bronze at $679, Silver at $1,078, and Gold at $827 per month. These plans offer broader network access compared with HMO or POS options, making them a strong choice for those who prioritize flexibility in choosing providers.
| HMO | $496 | $702 | $618 |
| POS | $389 | $587 | $476 |
| PPO | $679 | $1,078 | $827 |
*Rates are averages for 40-year-olds in Illinois. Your rates will vary based on your age and location.
Best Health Insurance in Illinois: Bottom Line
Ambetter, Molina Healthcare and Oscar rank as the top health insurance providers in Illinois for 2026. Oscar offers the best balance of affordable premiums and comprehensive coverage, while Molina Healthcare provides the cheapest monthly rates but comes with higher out-of-pocket costs.
Best Illinois Health Insurance: FAQ
Illinois residents often ask about enrollment periods, state insurance requirements and how multiple plans work together.
How do I get health insurance in Illinois?
Illinois residents can get health insurance through the GetCovered Illinois (the state's official health insurance marketplace), directly from insurance companies or with help from licensed brokers. The open enrollment period is from November 1 through January 15 each year. Special enrollment periods are available after qualifying life events like marriage, job loss or relocation. Employer-sponsored group health plans are also widely available.
Are you required to have health insurance in Illinois?
Illinois doesn't require health insurance coverage, so you won't face any penalties for going without it, but being uninsured means you'll pay the full price for medical care out of pocket. A simple doctor visit or prescription can cost hundreds, while emergency treatment may reach thousands of dollars.
Can you have multiple health insurance plans in Illinois?
Yes, you can have multiple health insurance plans in Illinois. Through coordination of benefits, your primary plan pays first and your secondary plan may cover remaining eligible expenses. This arrangement commonly occurs when both spouses have employer-provided coverage or when combining Medicare with supplemental insurance.
Our Review Methodology
Our Illinois health insurance ranking system focuses on cost factors that matter most to consumers. Monthly premiums carry the heaviest weight since they represent your biggest ongoing expense. We also factor in deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket costs.
Our Scoring System
We weighted three cost factors:
- Monthly premium (60%): Your recurring monthly payment has the biggest impact on affordability. Lower premiums earn higher scores.
- Maximum out-of-pocket (20%): This caps your total yearly spending beyond premiums. Lower limits score better.
- Deductible (20%): The amount you pay before coverage starts. Lower deductibles receive higher scores.
Scores are normalized for each filter combination, where the top provider gets 5 points and all other providers are scored relative to that leader.
Sample Consumer Profile
We reviewed every 2026 Illinois plan for ages 18, 26, 40, 50 and 60. Pricing shows 40-year-old rates unless stated otherwise. Our analysis covers all available tiers: Catastrophic, Bronze, Expanded Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.