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MoneyGeek Logo IconBest Health InsuranceIllinois
2023

Best Health Insurance in Illinois

Best Overall for Health Insurance in Illinois

MoneyGeek determined that MercyCare Health Plans is the best health insurance provider in Illinois, with a score of 70 out of 100. According to our study, this provider has the lowest MOOP costs and above-average denial rates.

To pick the winner of this category, we compared data from 72 Silver HMO plans, five POS plans and two PPO plans in Illinois.

MoneyGeek Pick: MercyCare Health Plans

MercyCare Health Plans

pros

Lowest MOOP costs among 11 insurers in this category

Fewer denials than average

cons

Fewer plan types than average

Slightly expensive premiums compared to other providers

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MercyCare Health Plans offers three HMO Silver plans at a cost of $544 per month, on average. An HMO plan is often cheaper, but to receive coverage, you need to use an in-network provider.

The average MOOP cost of this provider is $7,800, which is the lowest among other companies in this category. This is the annual maximum amount you will be required to pay for covered services, excluding monthly premiums. We also discovered that MercyCare Health Plans is, on average, less likely to deny claims.

Plan Recommendations

MoneyGeek recommends the following Silver plans offered by MercyCare Health Plans for Illinois residents:

  • MercyCare HMO Silver HDHP: $549 per month; MOOP $5,400
  • MercyCare HMO Silver Standard: $537 per month; MOOP $8,900
  • MercyCare HMO Silver Option A: $547 per month; MOOP $9,100

Best Health Insurance in Illinois for Low Out-of-Pocket Costs

With a MoneyGeek score of 74 out of 100, MercyCare Health Plans is the best health insurance provider in Illinois with the lowest out-of-pocket costs. The company has lower-than-average premiums and approves a larger percentage of insurance claims than its competitors.

In this category, we examined 39 Gold HMO plans, three Gold POS plans, two Gold PPO plans and one Platinum POS plan.

MoneyGeek Pick: MercyCare Health Plans

MercyCare Health Plans

pros

Lowest MOOP costs compared to other insurers

Relatively affordable premiums

Fewer denials than average

cons

Limited plan variety

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

MercyCare Health Plans offers two HMO Gold plans with premiums averaging $514 per month. HMO plans often have lower monthly costs, but members are restricted to seeing HMO-network health care specialists only.

MercyCare Health Plans also offers the lowest MOOP average among the companies we evaluated, at $5,850. In addition, we determined that, on average, this insurer rejects claims less frequently.

Plan Recommendations

MoneyGeek recommends the following Gold plans from MercyCare Health Plans for those in Illinois:

  • MercyCare HMO Gold HDHP: $530 per month; MOOP $3,000
  • MercyCare HMO Gold Standard: $499 per month; MOOP $8,700

Best Cheap Health Insurance in Illinois

With a MoneyGeek score of 69 out of 100, Oscar offers the best cheap health insurance in Illinois.

For this category, we assigned a higher weight to affordability. Take note that plans with lower monthly premiums generally have higher out-of-pocket costs.

To determine the category winner and recommended plans, we evaluated 72 Silver HMO plans, five POS plans and two PPO plans in Illinois.

MoneyGeek also analyzed the cheapest health insurance in Illinois for those who just want the cheapest rates.

MoneyGeek Pick: Oscar

Oscar Insurance Company

pros

Low-cost premiums compared to other providers

Fewer denials than usual

cons

Offers limited types of plans

Comparatively high MOOP costs

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Oscar offers plans with affordable average monthly premiums of $431. The company's health insurance plans have an average MOOP of $8,850. Oscar also has an excellent track record of addressing policyholder claims, with a denial rate of less than 7%.

The insurer has 12 Silver HMO plans. HMO plans are ideal if you prefer low monthly premiums and are content to receive health care services inside your provider's network.

Plan Recommendations

For those looking for the best cheap health insurance in Illinois, MoneyGeek recommends the following plan options:

  • Silver Simple - For Diabetes (Select): $397 per month; MOOP $8,550
  • Silver Simple - PCP Saver (Select): $385 per month; MOOP $8,900
  • Silver Classic (Select): $401 per month; MOOP $8,650

Best Health Insurance for Low Income in Illinois

Aetna is the best health insurance provider in Illinois for those with low incomes, receiving a MoneyGeek score of 70 out of 100.

In this category, we only evaluated health insurance providers that offer cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) and prioritize low monthly premiums. This totaled 72 HMO Silver plans, five POS plans and two PPO plans in Illinois.

If your income falls below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL), you may qualify for CSRs, which lower your out-of-pocket maximum and deductible. By doing this, you can avoid the typical trade-off between higher out-of-pocket expenses and lower premiums. CSR plans have a higher cost-sharing ratio than Silver plans, which typically cover approximately 70% of health care costs. For example, Illinois residents that fall within the indicated income brackets will receive the following coverage:

  • Annual income between $27,180 and $33,975 (201%–250% of the FPL) qualifies for a plan that pays about 73% of health costs
  • Annual income between $20,385 and $27,180 (151%–200% of the FPL) qualifies for a plan that pays about 87% of health costs
  • Annual income below $20,385 (up to 150% of the FPL) qualifies for a plan that pays about 94% of health costs

Keep in mind that these brackets vary depending on the size of your household.

MoneyGeek Pick: Aetna

Aetna Medicare

pros

Zero percent denial rate

Relatively affordable plan rates

cons

Limited plan types

Higher MOOP costs

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Aetna is the best option for those in Illinois with low income. Its low-income health insurance for persons earning less than 250% of the FPL is approximately $440 per month with an average MOOP of $7,125. With this insurer, any medical claims you file are virtually guaranteed to be approved.

Aetna provides four HMO Silver Plans with cost-sharing reductions.

Plan Recommendations

Aetna's best health insurance plan is the Silver S. Those with lower incomes can still pay the same premium for a lower out-of-pocket cost:

  • 201%–250% of the FPL: $410 per month; MOOP $7,200
  • 151%–200% of the FPL: $410 per month; MOOP $3,000
  • Up to 150% of the FPL: $410 per month; MOOP $1,700

Best Health Insurance for Young Adults in Illinois

According to MoneyGeek, Aetna offers the best health insurance for young adults in Illinois, receiving a MoneyGeek score of 85 out of 100.

In order to determine which companies are the best for young adults, we looked at the policies of companies that offer Bronze or Catastrophic coverage. These policies often have the cheapest premiums but the highest out-of-pocket costs. Individuals under the age of 30 are the only ones who are eligible for Catastrophic coverage.

In Illinois, we examined the following plan levels and types in relation to this category:

  • Bronze: 12 HMO and three PPO plans
  • Expanded Bronze: 54 HMO, four POS and three PPO plans
  • Catastrophic: Four HMO plans and one PPO plan

MoneyGeek Pick: Aetna

Aetna Medicare

pros

Denies zero percent of claims

Reasonably priced premiums

One of the most affordable MOOPs

cons

Fewer plan types available

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Aetna offers health insurance plans in Illinois for young adults with an average monthly premium of $284 and a MOOP of $8,400. This company is unique among insurers in that it denies zero insurance claims.

Metal tiers determine the extent of your coverage. Catastrophic, Bronze and Expanded Bronze policies are favored by young persons in good health who do not require extensive coverage.

Plan Recommendations

MoneyGeek recommends the following health plans offered by Aetna for young adults:

  • Bronze with low-cost MinuteClinic: $254 per month for 18-year-olds and $285 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $7,100
  • Bronze S: $245 per month for 18-year-olds and $275 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $9,000
  • Bronze with $0 MinuteClinic: $259 per month for 18-year-olds and $290 per month for 26-year-olds; MOOP $9,100

Best Health Insurance by Plan Type in Illinois

Various coverage choices are available from health insurance providers. The following are the top-rated providers in each category in Illinois:

  • HMO: MercyCare Health Plans (MoneyGeek score: 79 out of 100)
  • POS: Health Alliance Medical Plans, Inc. (MoneyGeek score: 100 out of 100)
  • PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield (MoneyGeek score: 100 out of 100)

Please note that our recommendations are limited to Silver plans only. This metal tier is suitable for those seeking affordable, high-quality medical insurance.

There are 72 HMO, five POS and two PPO Silver Plans available in Illinois.

MoneyGeek Pick for HMO: MercyCare Health Plans

MercyCare Health Plans
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Silver HMO plans from MercyCare Health Plans have an average monthly premium of $544 and a MOOP of $7,800. Among the ten HMO providers we reviewed, it has the most affordable MOOP cost.

HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans are the most prevalent type of health insurance coverage. They have lower costs than other plans, but you have to use an in-network provider to receive coverage. Additionally, a referral is required prior to seeing a specialist.

Plan Recommendations

For Silver-tier HMO plans from MercyCare, we recommend:

  • MercyCare HMO Silver HDHP: $549 per month; MOOP $5,400
  • MercyCare HMO Silver Standard: $537 per month; MOOP $8,900

MoneyGeek Pick for PPO: Blue Cross Blue Shield

Blue Cross Blue Shield
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers two PPO Silver plans in Illinois with a monthly average premium of $641 and a MOOP of $9,000. This health insurance company rarely denies claims.

PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans are typically more expensive than HMO plans. However, they offer greater flexibility within their provider networks and do not require referrals to see physicians.

Plan Recommendations

We recommend the following PPO Silver plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield:

  • Blue Choice Preferred Silver PPO℠ 706: $644 per month; MOOP $8,900
  • Blue Choice Preferred Silver PPO℠ 203: $638 per month; MOOP $9,100

MoneyGeek Pick for POS: Health Alliance Medical Plans, Inc.

Health Alliance
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

In Illinois, Health Alliance Medical Plans, Inc. offers five POS Silver plans with an average monthly premium of $651 and an average MOOP of $8,670. This provider's 10.81% denial rate is lower, on average, than other providers.

You can be protected in or out of network with Point of Service (POS) plans, but out-of-network coverage is more expensive. This plan is best if you want the option to choose an out-of-network provider but still want to be able to have less expensive in-network provider options.

Plan Recommendations

We recommend the following POS Silver plans from Health Alliance Medical Plans, Inc.:

  • 2023 POS 7250 Elite Silver: $636 per month; MOOP $8,600
  • 2023 POS 7000 Elite Silver: $655 per month; MOOP $8,500

Best Short-Term Health Insurance in Illinois

National General Accident & Health is ranked as the best short-term health insurance provider in Illinois, with a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100.

Short-term health insurance, in contrast to plans that adhere to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), does not cover all necessary health benefits; hence it is not recommended as a permanent health insurance option.

mglogo
MoneyGeek Top Pick: National General Accident & Health
National General Accident & Health

MoneyGeek picked National General Accident & Health as the best provider of short-term health insurance in Illinois due to the fact that its coverage limits are among the highest of the insurance companies in the state. This company has offered a variety of insurance products for over 75 years, including dental, short-term medical, accident and critical illness insurance.

National General Accident & Health's short-term policies offer clients flexibility in terms of term length, plan alternatives, co-insurance and deductibles. Some National General Accident & Health plans include coverage for urgent care and prescription drugs. It is important to note that this insurer may impose waiting periods and application fees.

How to Find the Best Health Insurance for You in Illinois

The Illinois health insurance provider that is the ideal fit for you will depend on your spending limit and your coverage requirements. The following recommendations can be helpful when purchasing health insurance.

  • doctor icon

    Understand when a health insurance plan will cover you

    PPO plans enable you to receive health care services from providers outside of their network, while HMO plans require you to remain within the HMO's network to be covered. In general, the premiums for the latter are higher.

    With POS plans, you can be protected in or out of network, but coverage outside the network will be more expensive. In the state of Illinois, 72 HMO plans, five POS plans and two PPO plans are offered.

  • money2 icon

    Weigh the cost of premiums vs. the cost of care

    Plans with lower monthly premiums typically have higher out-of-pocket costs. For example, the MercyCare HMO Silver HDHP from MercyCare Health Plans costs an average of $549 a month and has a MOOP cost of $5,400, while the MercyCare HMO Silver Option A plan has a lower average monthly cost of $547 and a higher MOOP of $9,100.

Consider Illinois Medicare or Medicaid if You’re Eligible

Medicare, which can greatly lower medical expenses, may be available to individuals who are 65 or older or who have a qualifying disability or sickness. This is a federal program that offsets the costs of medical care and includes the following parts:

  • Part A (Hospital Insurance): This is hospital insurance that covers inpatient stays, hospice care and nursing home care.
  • Part B (Medical Insurance): This type of medical insurance covers outpatient care, physician costs, preventative services and medical supplies.
  • Part D (Prescription drug coverage): This helps cover the cost of prescription medications and vaccinations.

In addition, MoneyGeek has in-depth resources for finding the best Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans in Illinois.

Medicaid, another federal program, provides health coverage to low-income individuals, as determined by the state. Individuals in Illinois who earn less than 138% of the federal poverty level are eligible for this public health insurance plan. Medicaid is an affordable health insurance alternative that can cover the majority, if not all, eligible medical expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Insurance in Illinois

When considering health insurance options, it’s normal to have questions about cost and coverage. To help make the process easier for you, we answered a few frequently asked questions.

About Brenna Kelly, Licensed Health Insurance Agent


Brenna Kelly, Licensed Health Insurance Agent headshot

Brenna Kelly is a licensed health insurance agent and health insurance content manager at MoneyGeek. Licensed in Florida, Brenna is qualified to advise on medical insurance, disability, long-term care, critical illness, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans. She combines her experience in content production with expert insight into state, regional and local health insurance markets and policies. Brenna has also earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Applied Sociology from the University of Central Florida.