Illinois 2027 health insurance: Enroll by Dec. 15 for Jan. 1 coverage

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Couple reviewing documents and comparing information on a laptop at home
Illinois residents can compare 2027 health insurance plans and estimated costs through Get Covered Illinois. Illustrative photo: Mikhail Nilov/Pexels.
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Rock Island County will have 2027 plans from Ambetter and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. A low monthly premium does not always mean lower costs when you need medical care.

Illinois residents who buy their own health insurance can now enroll in or change coverage for 2027 through Get Covered Illinois, the state’s official Affordable Care Act marketplace.

December 15, 2026, is the deadline to select a plan that starts January 1, 2027. Residents who enroll between December 16 and January 15 will generally have coverage beginning February 1, provided they pay their first premium. Open enrollment ends January 15, 2027.

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Two insurers offer 2027 marketplace plans in Rock Island County

Residents of Rock Island County will have marketplace options from two insurance companies in 2027:

  • Ambetter of Illinois, offered through Celtic Insurance Company.
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, offered through Health Care Service Corporation.

Both companies appear in the Illinois Department of Insurance’s 2027 marketplace analysis. The report identifies five participating insurers statewide, but their availability varies by county.

That distinction matters in the Quad Cities. A company offering plans elsewhere in Illinois may not serve Rock Island County, and a plan available across the Mississippi River in Iowa may not be offered to Illinois residents.

A ZIP-code check found 20 plans in Rock Island, Moline and East Moline

On November 10, Hola America checked the official Get Covered Illinois plan comparison tool using the same example applicant in three local ZIP codes:

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  • 61201: Rock Island.
  • 61265: Moline.
  • 61244: East Moline, with Rock Island County selected.

The example was a 40-year-old nonsmoker living alone with an estimated annual household income of $50,000. The comparison returned 20 health plans in each ZIP code, offered by Ambetter and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois.

This was an illustrative shopping comparison, not an enrollment application. Actual plans, premiums and financial assistance depend on a person’s age, household, income, location and eligibility. Applicants should confirm their own results through the official marketplace.

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A $59.75 monthly premium came with an $8,000 deductible

For the example applicant, the comparison tool estimated approximately $621 per month in advance premium tax credits to reduce insurance costs.

One option displayed was the Blue Choice Preferred Bronze PPO – Support HSA plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Its estimated monthly premium after financial assistance was $59.75.

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However, that plan also showed an $8,000 deductible and a $12,000 annual out-of-pocket maximum. Those figures illustrate why shoppers should look beyond the monthly premium when comparing coverage.

A deductible is the amount a person may need to pay for certain covered services before the insurer begins sharing those costs. The out-of-pocket maximum limits what the member pays for covered in-network services during the plan year, but it does not include monthly premiums.

The $59.75 figure is not a universal price or a recommendation for that plan. It is a result for one hypothetical applicant using the marketplace’s comparison tool on November 10.

Silver and Gold plans may offer better value for some households

Bronze plans generally have lower monthly premiums but higher costs when medical care is needed. Silver and Gold plans may be more suitable for people who expect regular appointments, prescriptions or other health services.

Residents who qualify for cost-sharing reductions must choose an eligible Silver plan to receive that additional help with deductibles, copayments and other covered expenses.

Get Covered Illinois also advises consumers to compare Gold plans instead of assuming they always cost more. Depending on available prices and financial assistance, a Gold plan may have a lower monthly premium than a Silver option.

Before enrolling, shoppers should check whether their doctors and hospitals are in-network, whether their prescriptions are covered and what they would pay for routine visits or an unexpected medical emergency.

Federal changes may reduce financial help in 2027

Marketplace costs are changing as federal financial assistance rules shift. According to Get Covered Illinois, enhanced federal premium tax credits ended in 2026, leaving some households with less assistance and higher monthly payments.

Residents with household incomes above 400% of the federal poverty level are no longer eligible for advance premium tax credits. The state also warns that additional changes in 2027 will affect eligibility for certain lawfully present immigrants.

Because eligibility depends on individual circumstances, residents should update their household and income information and review the financial assistance calculated for their application. A subsidy received in a previous year should not be assumed to remain unchanged.

Cigna and Molina are leaving the Illinois marketplace

Two insurers—Cigna and Molina—will no longer offer plans through Get Covered Illinois beginning January 1, 2027. The change primarily affects residents in other parts of the state, since neither company is listed as a 2027 marketplace option in Rock Island County.

Illinois residents who currently have marketplace coverage through either company must select a different plan for 2027. According to the state, their existing 2026 coverage can continue through December 31, 2026, as long as required premiums are paid.

Consumers should read notices from both their insurer and Get Covered Illinois before choosing replacement coverage.

How to compare plans and enroll through Get Covered Illinois

Residents can begin at the official Get Covered Illinois enrollment page or preview options using its plan comparison tool.

  1. Enter your ZIP code and county. Check that the location is correct, particularly if a ZIP code covers more than one county.
  2. Provide household information. Age, household size and projected income help determine plan prices and possible financial assistance.
  3. Compare total costs. Review premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket limits, provider networks and prescription coverage.
  4. Submit an application and select a plan. The official application determines eligibility and available tax credits.
  5. Pay the first premium. Selecting a plan alone does not activate coverage; the first payment is required.

To qualify for marketplace coverage, applicants generally must live in Illinois, be U.S. citizens or nationals or lawfully present noncitizens, and not be incarcerated. Additional eligibility rules may apply.

Iowa residents must use a different marketplace

Although Rock Island and Moline share a metropolitan area with Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa residents should not use Get Covered Illinois to purchase coverage.

The Iowa Insurance Division directs Iowa residents to HealthCare.gov for 2027 marketplace plans. Iowa has the same December 15 deadline for coverage beginning January 1, but residents must compare the insurers and plans offered in their own state.

Free enrollment help is available in Illinois

Get Covered Illinois offers free assistance through certified navigators, licensed brokers and customer service representatives. Residents can ask for help comparing coverage, estimating financial assistance or completing an application.

Assistance is available through the state’s local help directory. The customer assistance number is 1-866-311-1119 (TTY: 711), and interpreter services are available.

People who need coverage sooner should also review whether they qualify for Medicaid or a special enrollment period based on their circumstances.


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