Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois (2026)

Key Takeaways

Ten providers offer 84 Medicare Advantage plans in Illinois, with monthly costs ranging from $0 to $255.

Cigna HealthCare has the best Medicare Advantage HMO and HMO-POS plans in Illinois, while Essence Healthcare ranks best for PPO options.

Choose your Illinois Medicare Advantage plan based on your preferred doctors, prescription needs, and budget for premiums and out-of-pocket costs.

Best Medicare Advantage Providers in Illinois

Illinois offers a wide range of Medicare Advantage plans, but choosing the right provider requires careful evaluation of star ratings, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs. We reviewed plans across the state to identify the best Medicare Advantage providers in Illinois for each plan type.

Cigna HealthCare is the leading provider for HMO and HMO-POS plans, offering $0 monthly premiums with strong 4.0-star ratings. Average out-of-pocket maximums are $3,000 for HMOs and $2,900 for HMO-POS plans. Essence Healthcare provides the best PPO options with greater network flexibility, charging $49 per month on average and featuring a 3.0-star rating, though the $4,150 average MOOP is higher than many alternatives.


HMO	Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$0	$3,000	HealthSpring Preferred (HMO)
HMO-POS	Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$0	$2,900	HealthSpring Premier (HMO-POS)
PPO	Essence Healthcare	3.00	$49	$4,150	Essence Advantage Choice Plus (PPO)

Medicare Advantage Plans Explained

Medicare Advantage plans offer an alternative to Original Medicare by bundling hospital and medical coverage through private insurers. Most plans add prescription drugs, dental, vision, and hearing benefits that aren't available through traditional Medicare.

CMS Star Ratings: Medicare scores plans from 1 to 5 stars based on care quality and member satisfaction. Plans with 4 or 5 stars show the best overall performance and service.
Monthly premiums: You'll pay your regular Part B premium plus any additional plan costs. Many Medicare Advantage plans in the Prairie State charge no extra monthly fees.
Maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits: This annual cap protects you from unlimited medical bills. Once you reach this amount, your plan covers all remaining costs for covered services.
Prescription drug coverage: Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D medication benefits automatically. Check that your current prescriptions appear on the plan's approved drug list before enrolling.

Cigna

Best HMO and HMO-POS

MoneyGeek Rating

4.7/ 5

5/5Affordability

4.5/5Quality

3.8/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
HMO, HMO-POS, PPO

pros
- HMO plans earn 4-star CMS rating
- All plans have $0 monthly premium
cons
- PPO plans have lower 3-star CMS rating
Cigna HealthCare's two HMO plans earn a 4.0-star CMS rating in Illinois. Both plans charge $0 monthly premiums and include enhanced Part D drug coverage, while averaging $3,000 in out-of-pocket maximums. The strong star rating reflects quality care coordination and member satisfaction across Cigna's HMO network.

Cigna HealthCare also offers two PPO plans that provide network flexibility with a 3.0-star CMS rating. Both PPO plans charge $0 monthly premiums and include enhanced Part D prescription drug coverage, allowing members to see out-of-network providers when needed.

Essence Healthcare

Best PPO

MoneyGeek Rating

5/ 5

5/5Affordability

5/5Quality

5/5Availability

CMS Star Rating
4.0
Plan Types
HMO-POS, HMO, PPO

pros
- 4 of 7 plans have $0 premium
- $4,150 average MOOP beats state PPO average of $5,286
- Nationwide provider access without referrals
cons
- Higher costs for out-of-network care
Essence Healthcare offers three PPO plans in Illinois with varying costs. The Advantage Choice PPO charges $0 monthly with a $5,025 MOOP and includes prescription drug coverage with no Part D deductible. The Choice Plus PPO costs $49 per month and lowers the out-of-pocket maximum to $4,150.

If you expect high medical expenses, consider the Premier Plus PPO, which has a $255 monthly cap and costs $2,000 annually. All three PPO plans earn 3-star CMS ratings and include enhanced drug benefits. Essence Healthcare also provides four HMO plans in Illinois, all with $0 monthly premiums and stronger 4.5-star ratings. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $2,900 to $3,900.

Best Illinois HMO Medicare Advantage Providers

Illinois offers a wide range of HMO Medicare Advantage plans, giving you multiple options to balance premiums, out-of-pocket costs, and plan quality based on your needs. You can choose from 23 HMO plans from eight providers, with 22 plans charging $0 monthly premiums. The average CMS star rating across all options is 3.52, and eight plans earn 4 stars or higher.

Cigna HealthCare earns a 4.0-star CMS rating across two plans, both with $0 monthly premiums and the lowest average MOOP at $3,000.
Humana offers the widest selection with five plans at $0 per month with $3,091 average MOOP limits and a 3.5 star rating.
Essence Healthcare delivers top-rated quality with 4.5 stars across four plans, all $0 monthly but with a higher $3,900 average MOOP.


Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$0	$3,000	2	4.67
Humana	3.50	$0	$3,091	5	4.56
Essence Healthcare	4.50	$0	$3,900	4	4.56
Clear Spring Health	3.00	$0	$3,000	1	4.25
Devoted Health	4.00	$0	$5,775	2	4.06
Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.04	$0	$4,726	3	4.02
Zing Health	2.50	$0	$3,600	2	4.00
Wellcare	3.00	$0	$5,179	4	3.87

HMO PROS AND CONS

Network restrictions and referral requirements limit your provider choices with HMO Medicare Advantage plans, but you'll benefit from lower premiums and coordinated care through your primary physician. These plans offer predictable costs and work well if you're comfortable having your doctor manage specialist referrals.

Best Illinois HMO-POS Medicare Advantage Providers

HMO-POS plans in Illinois offer the flexibility of out-of-network access while maintaining affordable coverage. The state has 17 HMO-POS options from five providers, with most plans charging no monthly premium, though the average is $12 per month. All plans include Part D prescription coverage and enhanced benefits. Out-of-pocket maximums range from $2,900 to $6,750, averaging $4,319 annually.

Cigna HealthCare leads Illinois HMO-POS providers with one $0-premium plan, a $2,900 MOOP, and a 4.0-star CMS rating.
UnitedHealthcare offers nine plans averaging $21 monthly, 4.0 stars, and higher $4,427 MOOP.
WellCare provides two plans averaging $0 monthly with a 3.0-star rating and $3,900 average MOOP.


Cigna HealthCare	4.00	$0	$2,900	1	4.78
UnitedHealthcare	4.00	$21	$4,427	9	4.35
Wellcare	3.00	$0	$3,900	2	4.02
Aetna	3.51	$11	$5,632	3	3.99
Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.00	$44	$5,029	2	3.27

HMO-POS PROS AND CONS

If you want affordable premiums but need out-of-network access, HMO-POS plans might work for you. These hybrid plans keep most cost benefits of standard HMOs while letting you see out-of-network providers when necessary, though you'll pay more.

Best Illinois PPO Medicare Advantage Providers

PPO have greater network flexibility, but this freedom comes with higher costs compared to more restrictive options. The state offers 42 PPO Medicare Advantage plans from seven providers, averaging $26 per month, though 26 plans charge $0 premiums. Out-of-pocket maximums are higher than other network types in the state, averaging $5,286 and ranging from $2,000 to $9,250.

Essence Healthcare leads Illinois PPO options with three plans at $49 per month, $4,150 MOOP, and 3.0-star ratings.
Humana offers 15 plans with an average 3.81-star rating, $13 monthly premiums, and $5,007 average MOOP.
Devoted Health provides two plans at $0 monthly premiums, $4,800 MOOP, and 3.5-star ratings.


Essence Healthcare	3.00	$49	$4,150	3	5.00
Humana	3.81	$13	$5,007	15	4.69
Devoted Health	3.50	$0	$4,800	2	4.30
Cigna HealthCare	3.00	$0	$4,199	2	4.26
UnitedHealthcare	3.66	$36	$6,187	6	4.26
Aetna	3.56	$23	$6,315	8	4.21
Blue Cross Blue Shield	3.00	$29	$7,256	6	3.74

PPO PROS AND CONS

You'll pay more with PPO Medicare Advantage plans through higher monthly premiums and out-of-pocket maximums, but you get complete provider flexibility. You can choose any Medicare-approved doctor without referral requirements, giving you access to both in-network and out-of-network care.

How to Find the Best Illinois Medicare Advantage Plans

The right plan depends on your preferred doctors, prescription needs and out-of-pocket costs you're comfortable paying.

1
Check Your Doctor and Hospital Network
Confirm your current doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals participate in the plan's network. HMO plans restrict you to in-network providers except for emergencies, while PPO plans allow out-of-network access. Learn more about health insurance network types to understand these differences.
2
Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket Costs
The maximum out-of-pocket limit represents the most you'll pay annually for covered services. A plan with a $0 premium but $7,833 maximum out-of-pocket costs might exceed a $29 premium plan capped at $6,750 if you require regular medical care throughout the year.
3
Review Prescription Drug Coverage
Check that your medications appear on the plan's drug formulary and understand their tier placement, which affects your costs. Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage.
4
Evaluate Additional Benefits
Medicare Advantage plans include dental care, vision services, hearing aids, fitness center memberships and transportation to medical appointments. Compare which additional services each plan includes.
5
Consider CMS Star Ratings
Review each plan's CMS star rating, which evaluates quality and performance on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Plans earning 4 or 5 stars deliver superior customer service, better care coordination and improved health outcomes.

Average Illinois Medicare Advantage Cost

Medicare Advantage costs in Illinois vary based on plan type and network size. Plans with more restricted networks generally offer lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, while broader network options come with higher expenses.

HMO plans are the most affordable, with a median $0 monthly premium and an average $3,918 out-of-pocket maximum. HMO-POS plans provide a bit more network flexibility, averaging $12 per month with a $4,319 MOOP. PPO plans offer wider provider access at an average $27 monthly and $5,286 maximum costs, while regional PPO plans carry the highest expenses of $103 monthly premiums and $7,200 out-of-pocket limits.


HMO	$0	$3	$3,918
HMO-POS	$0	$12	$4,319
PFFS	$37	$37	$6,800
PPO	$0	$27	$5,286
Regional PPO	$103	$103	$7,200

Best Illinois Medicare Advantage: FAQ

Get answers about Illinois Medicare Advantage plans:

When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan in Illinois?

Illinois residents can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 to March 31). You may also enroll during a Special Enrollment Period if you experience qualifying life changes like relocating or losing existing coverage.

Does Medicare Advantage cover prescription drugs in Illinois?

Yes, most Medicare Advantage plans in Illinois include prescription drug coverage as part of their benefits package. Before enrolling, confirm your medications appear on the plan's formulary and review their tier levels, since higher tiers result in increased out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy.

Do I need to change Medicare Advantage plans if I move to a different county in Illinois?

Moving within Illinois may require changing your Medicare Advantage plan since provider networks differ by county. Notify your current insurer within 30 days of relocating to determine if your coverage remains available in your new area and access Special Enrollment Period options.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Illinois Medicare Advantage Plans

MoneyGeek assessed Medicare Advantage plans in Illinois using a scoring system:

Affordability (50%): Costs represent half the total score due to their influence on your spending. We analyzed combined monthly premiums for Part C and Part D coverage (weighted at 30%) and in-network maximum out-of-pocket limits (weighted at 20%). Plans with lower premiums and MOOP thresholds score higher by reducing annual health care expenses.
Star Ratings (40%): CMS star ratings evaluate plan performance in care quality, customer service and member experience. The Overall Star Rating merges Part C (medical benefits) and Part D (prescription drug coverage) scores into one rating on a 1 to 5-star scale. Higher-rated plans score better in our evaluation.
Availability (10%): We consider each insurer's coverage area across the United States. Providers serving more states score higher, as broader availability indicates more robust infrastructure, better support and better continuity if you relocate.

These factors create a fair comparison of Medicare Advantage plans, weighing costs against care quality and service.

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.

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