Cheapest Health Insurance in Illinois (2024 Plans)

Switching metal tiers impacts health insurance rates. In Illinois, Oscar offers the most affordable Catastrophic and Gold plans, while Blue Cross Blue Shield provides the cheapest Expanded Bronze and Silver options. Health Alliance carries the least expensive Platinum tier.

If you are looking to balance monthly premiums with quality claims and coverage, MoneyGeek also analyzed the best health insurance plans in Illinois.

Your monthly health insurance costs vary based on the metal tier you choose, with higher premiums usually leading to lower out-of-pocket expenses for care.

The most affordable option within the Silver tier in Illinois is the Blue FocusCare Silver℠ 210 offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, highly sought after for its balance of cost and coverage at a monthly price of $379. For those willing to accept higher out-of-pocket expenses for a lower monthly premium, Bronze plans are a worthwhile consideration.

Here are the most affordable health insurance plans from each metal tier:

• Catastrophic: Secure by Oscar ($260) — Only available to individuals under 30 or those with a qualifying hardship.
• Expanded Bronze: Blue FocusCare Bronze℠ 209 by Blue Cross Blue Shield ($290)
• Silver: Blue FocusCare Silver℠ 210 by Blue Cross Blue Shield ($379)
• Gold: Gold Classic Standard by Oscar ($443)
• Platinum: 2024 POS 0 Elite Platinum by Health Alliance ($942)

For more details on finding cheap health insurance plans that suit your budget and needs, visit MoneyGeek's comprehensive guide.

Illinois residents seeking an affordable Silver tier health plan will find the Blue FocusCare Silver℠ 210 by Blue Cross Blue Shield to be the cheapest option, with a monthly cost of $379.

The three most affordable Silver health plans in Illinois are:

• Blue FocusCare Silver℠ 210 from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($379 per Month)
• Silver Classic Standard from Oscar ($409 per Month)
• Silver Simple PCP Saver from Oscar ($412 per Month)

Silver plans are a good choice for customers who expect to require a moderate amount of services and desire a balance between monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Those with lower incomes may qualify for cost-sharing reductions when they enroll in a Silver plan, which leads to lower deductibles, copayments and co-insurance. This ensures that essential health care is more accessible and affordable when it's needed.

The most affordable Gold tier policy in Illinois is the Gold Classic Standard plan offered by Oscar at a monthly cost of $443.

The three cheapest Gold plans in Illinois are:

• Gold Classic Standard from Oscar ($443 per month)
• Blue FocusCare Gold℠ 211 from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($459 per month)
• Gold 1 from Molina ($477 per month)

Gold plans are ideal for individuals who anticipate needing a significant amount of medical care. Due to their well-balanced premiums and out-of-pocket costs, they are suited for those willing to pay higher monthly rates for more predictable expenses year-round. These plans offer a good value for customers who prefer lower copayments and a lower deductible, providing more financial security in case they encounter multiple or high-cost health care needs.

In Illinois, the most affordable option in the Expanded Bronze tier is the Blue FocusCare Bronze℠ 209 from Blue Cross Blue Shield, with a monthly cost of $290.

The three cheapest Expanded Bronze plans in Illinois are:

• Blue FocusCare Bronze℠ 209 from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($290 per Month)
• Bronze Classic Standard from Oscar ($346 per Month)
• Bronze Classic PCP Saver Plus Rx Copay from Oscar ($349 per Month)

Expanded Bronze plans are tailored for consumers who want lower monthly premiums while still having coverage for essential health benefits. They are suited for those who are relatively healthy and do not expect to need frequent medical care. The lower premium comes with higher out-of-pocket costs, which makes them ideal for customers willing to trade lower upfront costs for higher expenses when accessing health care services.

The most affordable plan within the Catastrophic tier in Illinois is Secure by Oscar, costing $260 per month.

The three most affordable health Catastrophic plans in Illinois are:

• Secure from Oscar ($260 per month)
• WellFirst by Medica Catastrophic Safety Net from Medica ($265 per month)
• Quartz Performance Catastrophic I101 - IL from Quartz ($284 per month)

Catastrophic plans cater to adults under 30 or people with hardship exemptions. While these plans offer low premiums, they come with high out-of-pocket costs, making them ideal for those aiming to reduce monthly expenses while maintaining coverage for significant medical events. However, they are not recommended for consumers with regular medical visits or frequent prescription needs.

The most affordable Platinum tier health plan in Illinois is the 2024 POS 0 Elite Platinum offered by Health Alliance at a monthly cost of $942.

Platinum plans cater to customers who expect high medical usage and prefer paying more upfront in premiums to reduce costs at the point of care. They provide comprehensive coverage with the lowest out-of-pocket costs when accessing health care services. These plans are particularly beneficial for individuals with chronic conditions or those who anticipate needing frequent medical attention.

Illinois residents earning 250% below the Federal Poverty Level are eligible for cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) on Silver plans, which make health care more affordable by reducing deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.

For individuals with an annual income between $14,580 and $21,870, the most affordable option is the Blue FocusCare Silver℠ 210 from Blue Cross Blue Shield with a maximum out-of-pocket cost of $1,500.

The top two cheapest Silver plan options are:

• Blue FocusCare Silver℠ 210 from Blue Cross Blue Shield (Monthly Cost: $379, Maximum Out-of-Pocket: $1,500)
• Silver Classic Standard from Oscar (Monthly Cost: $409, Maximum Out-of-Pocket: $1,800)

In Illinois, CSRs are available only with the purchase of a Silver plan. The mentioned income figures are for single individuals and vary with household size.

The Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is the most popular health plan type in Illinois.

The cheapest HMO plan in Illinois is the Blue FocusCare Silver℠ 210 from Blue Cross Blue Shield, which costs $379 per month.

• HMO: Blue FocusCare Silver℠ 210 from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($379)
• POS: 2024 POS 5900 Elite Silver from Health Alliance ($697)
• PPO: Silver S PPO: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 CVS Health Virtual Care from Aetna ($643)

While HMO plans are the most popular in the state, residents can also enjoy the flexibility of Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), providing a broader network of providers with less need for referrals. Alternatively, they can find a balance in Point-of-Service (POS) plans, combining features from both HMO and PPO plans.

Health insurance rates and availability of certain plans vary by county in Illinois.

Comparing the most affordable plans in the largest and smallest counties by population shows this variation:

• Cook: Blue FocusCare Silver℠ 210 from Blue Cross Blue Shield ($379)
• Calhoun: Silver S: Aetna network of doctors & hospitals + $0 MinuteClinic + $0 CVS Health Virtual Care 24/7 from Aetna ($570)

The following table displays all available plans in each county in Illinois.

In Illinois, health insurance rates within metal tiers change based on age. A Silver plan costs an 18-year-old $455, while a 60-year-old pays $1,354 for the same kind of plan. The difference in price is $899.

Metal tiers affect the price of health insurance, too. A Bronze plan for a 40-year-old costs $506, but a Gold plan is higher, at $722. Choosing a Gold plan over Bronze can add $216 to monthly expenses.

MoneyGeek broke down the health insurance choices in Illinois. We show you private insurance plans from the marketplace and their metal levels, Medicaid and Medicare. Our goal is to help you understand your options for health care so you can make smart choices.

In Illinois, the open enrollment period for private health insurance typically runs from November 1 to January 15. During this time, residents can shop for, compare and enroll in health insurance plans through the state's marketplace or directly from insurers. It is the primary window when individuals can buy or change their insurance without a qualifying event. If you miss the open enrollment deadline, you may still get coverage if you experience a qualifying life event, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child or loss of other coverage, which triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Otherwise, you must wait until the next open enrollment period to sign up.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health care coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elders and people with disabilities. Eligibility for Medicaid is determined based on income, household size, family status, disability status and other factors. Individuals and families earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify. Other criteria include residency and citizenship status. Specific rules can vary, with children, pregnant women and some seniors and disabled persons having higher income thresholds. Coverage includes doctor visits, hospital stays, long-term medical care and additional health services.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for individuals aged 65 and older. However, younger individuals with certain disabilities or end-stage renal disease may also qualify. In Illinois, residents who meet these conditions are eligible. Medicare has four parts: Part A (hospital insurance), which covers inpatient stays and hospice care; Part B (medical insurance), covering outpatient services and preventative care; Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans), an alternative to Original Medicare that bundles Parts A, B and often D, and usually includes extra benefits; and Part D, which provides prescription drug coverage.

MoneyGeek found the best Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois and the best Medicare Supplement plans in Illinois.

When looking for health insurance, you may have questions about cost and availability. MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about cheap private health insurance in Illinois to help you learn more.