Top Rated Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois

by David Bynon, last updated October 13, 2024

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Finding the Top 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.

On this webpage, we aim to assist you in uncovering the highest-rated Medicare Advantage (MA) plans available in Illinois, identifying the insurance providers that offer these plans, and providing guidance on locating suitable plans within your specific County. This is important because not all plans are available in all areas.

Locating the Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois

Every year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reviews and rates all Medicare Advantage plans in Illinois based on a 5-star scale. Input for the ratings comes from information that each plan self-reports, as well as individual member complaints. (Read more about Medicare star ratings.)

There are no 5-star plans in Illinois in 2025. However, there are 4.5-star plans. This year, the highest rated Medicare plans available in Illinois come from:

MedicareWire recommends evaluating plans from these Illinois health insurance companies first. Why? Because more stars mean a better plan. For instance, members may get better care, customer service, and phone support from a 5-star plan than from a 4-star one.

IMPORTANT: Depending on where you live in Illinois, Medicare Advantage plans may have many valuable benefits (as compared to Original Medicare). But, before you choose, it's crucial that you understand the potential disadvantage of Medicare Advantage plans. Compare coverage and costs carefully.

Complete List of Illinois's Plan Providers

Illinois has 15 providers that offer Medicare Advantage plans. They include:

• Aetna Medicare
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of IL, NM
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
• Cigna Healthcare
• Clear Spring Health
• Devoted Health
• Essence Healthcare
• Health Alliance Medicare
• Humana
• Medica
• Medical Associates Health Plan, Inc.
• Molina Healthcare of Illinois
• UnitedHealthcare
• Wellcare
• Zing Health

Illinois's Top-Rated Plans

Here's a list of the best Medicare Advantage plans available in Illinois, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:

Interested in joining a plan from one of the top-rated providers? That has a lot to do with your Illinois County. Medicare Advantage plans are regional, and you can't join a plan that isn't in your area.

Top-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois by County

Choose your Illinois County below to see the best (and the worst) plans.

Find Your Perfect Fit: How to Pick 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

Utilization is what determines your overall cost. Healthy individuals use fewer healthcare services. These people can save money by evaluating plans with low monthly premiums. Be aware that these plans often have higher copayments and a higher maximum out-of-pocket limit.

The opposite is true if you have one or more health conditions and frequently use healthcare services, especially hospital inpatient care. In this case, plans with higher monthly premiums, low copayments, and low maximum out-of-pocket limits will help you save money.

2. Evaluate Your Prescription 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. Consider Your Needs for Additional Coverage

Original Medicare doesn't cover all costs related to health care. It covers major medical expenses and preventative care services, however, it doesn't cover prescriptions, vision, hearing, or dental. Many of the essential services your Part A or Part B benefits don't cover are covered by Medicare Advantage plans.

4. Review Your Healthcare Network Considerations

Most Medicare Advantage plans available in Illinois use local healthcare provider networks to deliver care. But not all specialists and primary care doctors accept all plans. It can be exhausting trying to find a plan you want that your doctors will accept. We can help!

Next Steps

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? These common questions and answers might help.

What are the disadvantages 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 does Medicare Advantage cost in Illinois?

The average cost of a Medicare Advantage plan in Illinois is $nan. But that's just the monthly premium. If you have one or more chronic health conditions, a plan's out-of-pocket costs (e.g. deductibles and copays) are also a factor to consider. Plus, most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug benefits, which have their own out-of-pocket costs.

What do Medicare Advantage plans include?

All Medicare Advantage plans offered in Illinois must cover all of the Original Medicare benefits. But, private Medicare plans are not required to provide healthcare services similarly. For instance, Medicare Part A covers 80% of hospital stays, skilled nursing, home care, hospice care, and home health care. And Part B covers 80% of doctor visits, lab tests, and other outpatient services. However, Medicare Advantage plans are allowed to set their own copays and routinely charge more than 20%. That said, they do have an annual limit, whereas Original Medicare doesn't.

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, "Medicare Advantage Plans", Last Accessed October 1, 2022
• KFF.org, "An Overview of the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit", Last Accessed October 19, 2022
• Medicare.gov, "How to join a Medicare Advantage Plan", Last Accessed October 11, 2022
• CMS.gov, Part C and D Performance Data, Last Accessed October 13, 2024
• CMS.gov, Monthly MA Enrollment by State/County/Contract, Last Accessed October 10, 2024

Plans Offered

Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Cigna Healthcare, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Healthy Blue, HealthSun, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint.