Top Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois for 2024
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Finding the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Illinois Starts Here
Are you considering enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan in Illinois? You're in good company. This year, more than 31 million people enrolled in a private Medicare health plan. Some want lower costs. Some are looking for more benefits. Others need access to more healthcare providers and doctors.
This page is dedicated to assisting you in exploring the highest-rated Medicare Advantage (MA) plans available in Illinois, highlighting the insurance providers that offer these plans, and providing guidance on locating suitable plans within your specific geographic region. This information is crucial as the availability of these plans varies by location, and it's essential to identify the options accessible in your area.
Table of Contents
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Unveiling the Standout Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) rates and reviews Illinois's Medicare Advantage plans based on a 5-star rating scale. Information from members and data provided by plans is used to determine a plan's star rating.
Illinois has 5-star Medicare Advantage plans available in 2024. Not all states and locations do. This year, the highest rated Medicare plans available in Illinois come from:
- Essence Healthcare
- Quartz Health Plan
- Quartz Medicare Advantage
We recommend evaluating the health plans from these Illinois health insurance companies ahead of all others. Here's why. Simply put, more stars generally mean members will get better results. Members might get better service, phone support, and care from a 5-star than they would from a four-star plan.
CRUCIAL: Benefits are not the same throughout Illinois. That's why it is essential that you fully understand the advantages and disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans.
Complete List of Illinois's MA Plan Companies
Illinois has 24 providers that offer Medicare Advantage plans. They include:
- Aetna Medicare
- Ascension Complete
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IL, NM
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
- Cigna
- Cigna Healthcare
- Clear Spring Health
- Devoted Health
- Essence Healthcare
- Health Alliance Medicare
- HealthPartners UnityPoint Health
- Humana
- Lasso Healthcare
- Medica
- Medical Associates Health Plan
- Medical Associates Health Plan, Inc.
- Molina Healthcare of Illinois
- Quartz Health Plan
- Quartz Medicare Advantage
- UnitedHealthcare
- Wellcare
- Wellcare by Allwell
- WellFirst Health
- Zing Health
Top Ranked Plans in Illinois
According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, here are the top-ranked Medicare Advantage Plans available in Illinois:
Top Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois
| Provider | Plan ID | Plan Name | Premium | Limit | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essence Healthcare | H2610-005 | Essence Advantage (HMO) | $0.00 | $1,950 | 5.0 |
| Essence Healthcare | H2610-006 | Essence Advantage Plus (HMO) | $60.00 | $1,700 | 5.0 |
| Essence Healthcare | H2610-016 | Essence Advantage Select (HMO) | $0.00 | $2,800 | 5.0 |
| Aetna Medicare | H2663-017 | Aetna Medicare Premier Preferred (HMO) | $0.00 | $3,400 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare | H2663-005 | Aetna Medicare Gold Advantage (HMO) | $0.00 | $2,400 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare | H2663-006 | Aetna Medicare Option 1 (HMO-POS) | $19.00 | $6,000 | 4.5 |
| Aetna Medicare | H2663-002 | Aetna Medicare Option 2 (HMO) | $28.00 | $4,900 | 4.5 |
| HealthPartners UnityPoint Health | H3416-001 | HealthPartners UnityPoint Health Align (PPO) | $0.00 | $3,900 | 4.5 |
| HealthPartners UnityPoint Health | H3416-002 | HealthPartners UnityPoint Health Symmetry (PPO) | $49.00 | $3,300 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-283 | HumanaChoice H5216-283 (PPO) | $30.00 | $3,100 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H1468-018 | Humana Community Select (HMO) | $0.00 | $2,300 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H1468-014 | Humana Gold Plus H1468-014 (HMO) | $49.00 | $3,850 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H1468-013 | Humana Gold Plus H1468-013 (HMO) | $0.00 | $2,300 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-357 | HumanaChoice H5216-357 (PPO) | $138.00 | $1,000 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-251 | HumanaChoice H5216-251 (PPO) | $0.00 | $3,700 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-399 | HumanaChoice H5216-399 (PPO) | $30.00 | $3,900 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H1468-007 | Humana Gold Plus H1468-007 (HMO) | $0.00 | $3,000 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-318 | HumanaChoice H5216-318 (PPO) | $0.00 | $3,600 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-032 | HumanaChoice H5216-032 (PPO) | $70.00 | $6,700 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-013 | HumanaChoice H5216-013 (PPO) | $87.00 | $3,450 | 4.5 |
| Humana | H5216-215 | HumanaChoice H5216-215 (PPO) | $0.00 | $3,900 | 4.5 |
| Medica | H8019-002 | Medica Advantage with SSM Value (HMO-POS) | $0.00 | $4,500 | 4.5 |
| Medica | H8019-006 | OSF with Medica Advantage Value (HMO) | $0.00 | $3,500 | 4.5 |
| Medica | H8019-007 | OSF with Medica Advantage Select (HMO-POS) | $0.00 | $3,900 | 4.5 |
| Medica | H8019-008 | OSF with Medica Advantage Preferred (HMO-POS) | $160.00 | $0 | 4.5 |
| Quartz Medicare Advantage | H5262-018 | UW Health IL Quartz Med Advantage Value D(w/Rx) (HMO) | $32.00 | $4,500 | 4.5 |
| Quartz Medicare Advantage | H5262-019 | UW Health IL Quartz Med Advantage Core D (w/Rx) (HMO) | $0.00 | $5,500 | 4.5 |
| Quartz Medicare Advantage | H5262-026 | UW Health IL Quartz Med Advantage Elite D(w/Rx) (HMO) | $68.00 | $3,250 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | H2802-024 | AARP Medicare Advantage Access (HMO-POS) | $0.00 | $2,500 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | H5253-107 | AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC IA-0001 (HMO-POS) | $0.00 | $3,800 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | H5253-108 | AARP Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) | $25.00 | $3,900 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | H5253-108 | AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC IA-0002 (HMO-POS) | $29.00 | $3,800 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | H2802-052 | AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS) | $0.00 | $3,400 | 4.5 |
| UnitedHealthcare | H2802-028 | AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 1 (HMO-POS) | $0.00 | $2,900 | 4.5 |
The top providers listed above do not tell the full story. That's because your Illinois County may or may not have one of the top-rated plans. Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans are regional. Read How Does Medicare Advantage Work to learn more.
Best MA Plans in Illinois by County
Choose your Illinois County below to see the best (and the worst) plans.
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Navigating Your Options: How to Select the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Illinois
There are various reasons you might be considering a plan change, such as turning 65 or the Annual Enrollment Period. You might also be navigating a special enrollment event, such as moving into a new region. There are some important details to consider in all these situations.
1. Evaluate How You Plan to Use Your Benefits
Do you believe that you will get the most out of your plan's benefits, including hospital inpatient care? If you do, evaluate plans with higher monthly premiums, low copayments, and low maximum out-of-pocket limits. Conversely, if your health is good and you rarely use services, look for plans with low premiums or a zero-dollar premium. These plans may have high out-of-pocket maximums and high deductibles, so weigh your risk carefully.
2. Review Your Drug Costs
For many seniors, prescription drugs are what drive up their healthcare costs the most. And, because nearly all Illinois Medicare Advantage plans include Part D benefits for your regular prescriptions, you need to make sure the plan you choose covers your drugs at a price you can afford.
3. Understand Your Additional Coverage Requirements
Original Medicare does not all health care costs. It covers your major medical and some preventive care services, but it does not cover dental, vision, hearing, or prescriptions. A growing number of Medicare Advantage plans cover many of the essential services that your Part A and Part B benefits do not.
4. Consider Your Healthcare Providers
Medicare Advantage plans use healthcare provider networks, and not all primary care doctors and specialists accept all plans. For many Illinois shoppers, finding a plan that their doctors accept is exhausting. We can help!
Find Plans in your area with your ZIP Code
Next Steps
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Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? These common questions and answers might help.
What are the pros and cons of a Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage plans can have some potential drawbacks. Many plans require members to use their provider network. Costs are also heavily influenced by how you use healthcare services. This makes it difficult to budget for healthcare expenses. Most plans require members to get referrals for specialists or authorization before they can receive healthcare services. Learn more about the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage plans.
How much do Medicare Advantage plans cost in Illinois?
A Medicare Advantage plan in Illinois costs an average of $23.95. This is just the monthly premium. You should also consider the out-of-pocket expenses of a plan if you have any chronic conditions, which include a plan's copays and deductibles. Prescription drug benefits are also included in most Medicare Advantage plans, but they have their own out-of-pocket costs.
What do Medicare Advantage plans include?
At a minimum, every Medicare Advantage plan sold in Illinois must cover all of the benefits offered in Original Medicare. However, plans are not required to cover healthcare services in the same way. Medicare Part A covers 80% of hospital stays, skilled nursing, home health care, and hospice care. Part B covers 80% of doctor visits, lab tests, and other outpatient services. But, Medicare Advantage plans can set their own copays, and often charge more than 20%. On the positive side, plans must set an annual out-of-pocket limit.
Citations & References
- CMS.gov, 2023 Medicare Part C Landscape Source Files, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "5-star special enrollment period", Last Accessed October 20, 2022
- Medicare.gov, "Explore your Medicare coverage options", Last Accessed October 27, 2022
- KFF.org, "Medicare Advantage 2023 Spotlight: First Look", Last Accessed September 5, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "How do Medicare Advantage Plans work?", Last Accessed October 13, 2022
- CMS.gov, Part C and D Performance Data, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- CMS.gov, Monthly MA Enrollment by State/County/Contract, Last Accessed January 13, 2023
- CMS.gov, Biden-Harris Administration Announces Lower Premiums for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans in 2023, Last Accessed September 29, 2022
- CMS.gov, Medicare Marketing Guidelines, Last Accessed February 2, 2023
Plans Offered
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Cigna Healthcare, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Scott and White Health Plan now part of Baylor Scott & White Health, UnitedHealthcare(R), and Wellcare.
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