Medicare Insurance in Illinois
Find the best Medicare plan for Illinois residents
Illinois has nearly 2.3 million Medicare beneficiaries — one of the largest Medicare populations in the Midwest. With a diverse mix of urban centers like Chicago and rural downstate communities, Illinois residents have access to a wide range of Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. Whether you live in Cook County or a rural county in southern Illinois, understanding your Medicare options is essential to finding the right coverage at the right price.
10 Tips for Finding the Best Medicare Insurance in Illinois
- Learn the differences between Medicare Advantage and Medigap so you can choose the coverage structure that fits your needs and budget.
- Compare plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) each year, even if you are satisfied with your current plan.
- Use Medicare's Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov to compare costs, coverage, and star ratings for plans available in your county.
- Check whether your doctors and preferred hospitals are in-network before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Review the plan's formulary (drug list) carefully if you take prescription medications, and confirm your drugs are covered at an affordable tier.
- Consider working with a licensed, independent Medicare insurance agent in Illinois who can compare multiple carriers on your behalf at no cost to you.
- If you are newly eligible for Medicare, enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid late-enrollment penalties.
- Ask about Low Income Subsidy (Extra Help) programs if cost is a concern — many Illinois residents qualify for assistance with Part D premiums and copays.
- Understand the difference between Plan G and Plan N Medigap policies, as these are among the most popular options for new Medicare enrollees in Illinois.
- Contact the Illinois Department on Aging's Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased Medicare counseling available statewide.
How Many Medicare Advantage Plans Are Available in Illinois?
Illinois Medicare beneficiaries have access to a robust Medicare Advantage marketplace. In recent plan years, Illinois has had more than 200 Medicare Advantage plans available statewide, though the number of plans available to you depends on your specific county. Cook County and the greater Chicago metropolitan area typically offer the highest concentration of plans, with beneficiaries in that region often choosing from 40 or more plan options. Major carriers offering Medicare Advantage in Illinois include Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, and Devoted Health. Many plans include $0 premiums, dental, vision, hearing benefits, and prescription drug coverage (MAPD). Medicare Advantage enrollment has grown steadily in Illinois, with roughly half of all Medicare-eligible residents now enrolled in an MA plan.
How Many Medicare Supplement Plans Are Offered in Illinois?
Illinois is a strong Medigap state with dozens of insurers offering standardized Medicare Supplement plans. More than 30 insurance carriers are licensed to sell Medigap policies in Illinois, giving residents substantial choice and the ability to shop for competitive premiums. The most popular Medigap plan letters among Illinois residents are Plan G and Plan N, both of which provide broad coverage of Medicare cost-sharing gaps after Part B deductible requirements. Plan F remains available to beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Well-known carriers offering Medigap in Illinois include Mutual of Omaha, Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Cigna, Medico, and Physicians Mutual. Because Medigap plans are standardized by letter, the benefits of Plan G are identical regardless of which carrier you choose — making it important to compare premiums and company financial strength when selecting a policy.
Senior Population Facts (Over 65)
Illinois has a substantial and growing senior population. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, approximately 2.1 million Illinois residents are age 65 or older, representing roughly 16.5% of the state's total population. The senior population is concentrated in the Chicago metropolitan area but is proportionally higher in many rural downstate counties. As the Baby Boomer generation continues to age, Illinois's 65+ population is projected to grow significantly over the next decade.
- Healthcare: Illinois seniors rely heavily on both Medicare and Medicaid (known as the Illinois Medical Assistance Program). The state operates a robust network of hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and senior care facilities. Illinois has several nationally ranked hospitals — including Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and University of Chicago Medicine — that serve Medicare patients throughout the region. Access to specialists and preventive care is strong in urban areas, though rural seniors may face longer travel times to providers.
- Housing: Illinois offers a range of housing options for seniors, from urban high-rises and assisted living communities in the Chicago metro to more affordable single-family homes and rural senior housing downstate. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) administers programs to help low- and moderate-income seniors remain in their homes, including weatherization assistance and property tax relief programs. The Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Program allows eligible seniors to defer payment of property taxes on their primary residence.
- Economic Security: Many Illinois seniors rely on Social Security as their primary source of income. The state's Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief Act provides a circuit breaker credit to help lower-income seniors offset property tax costs. Illinois also does not tax Social Security benefits at the state level, providing financial relief for retirees on fixed incomes. The Illinois Department on Aging administers a range of programs — including Community Care, meal assistance, and caregiver support — to help seniors maintain independence and financial stability.