Illinois has been moving to run its own ACA marketplace, Get Covered Illinois, after years on the federal HealthCare.gov platform. If you live in Illinois, the first thing to confirm is which application portal applies for your plan year, because the transition has happened across recent years.
Where to apply
For the current plan year, check both:
Get Covered Illinois at getcovered.illinois.gov, the state platform that has been phasing in.
HealthCare.gov, which historically served Illinois.
The portal you used last year may not be the right one this year. Certified assisters and brokers in Illinois track the current entry point, and the state announces transition details.
Medicaid in Illinois
Illinois expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults with household income at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty level generally qualify. Medicaid is administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
You can apply through:
- Get Covered Illinois or HealthCare.gov, which route you to Medicaid if eligible
- The state ABE (Application for Benefits Eligibility) portal
- Local Family Community Resource Centers
Because Illinois expanded Medicaid, the coverage gap seen in non-expansion states does not apply to most low-income adults.
All Kids and children coverage
All Kids is the Illinois program for children health coverage, combining Medicaid and CHIP. Illinois has historically covered children broadly, including under state-funded portions of the program.
For families on a marketplace plan, children may be on All Kids while parents are on a subsidized marketplace plan.
State-funded coverage for some immigrant adults
Illinois has operated state-funded health coverage programs for certain immigrant adults and seniors who do not qualify for federal Medicaid. These programs sit outside the federal structure, have specific eligibility rules, and have changed with state budget decisions. If this may apply to your household, confirm the current rules directly with the state, because these programs have been adjusted over time.
Insurer choices
Illinois marketplace plans come from a range of carriers that varies by region. The Chicago metro area has the broadest set of carriers and hospital networks, while downstate areas have fewer options.
Common carriers in the state have included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (the dominant statewide carrier), Aetna, Cigna, Oscar, Ambetter, and others. The exact list and networks depend on your county and year.
Chicago has major hospital systems including Northwestern Medicine, Rush, University of Chicago Medicine, Advocate Health, and others. Each carrier negotiates separately with each system, so confirm your providers are in network before enrolling.
Common Illinois situations
A worked example. Self-employed worker in Chicago, household income $55,000.
Eligible for a marketplace plan with a federal premium tax credit.
Wide choice of Chicago-area carriers and networks.
Another scenario. Family of four in Springfield, household income $38,000.
Adults likely eligible for a marketplace plan with a substantial subsidy, or Medicaid if income is lower.
Children likely covered through All Kids.
Another scenario. Single adult downstate, income $15,000.
Likely eligible for Medicaid under expansion.
Apply through Get Covered Illinois, HealthCare.gov, or the ABE portal.
Things that catch Illinois residents
Platform transition. During the move from HealthCare.gov to Get Covered Illinois, some renewing enrollees found their renewal handled on a different platform. Read every notice from the marketplace.
Blue Cross Blue Shield network breadth. BCBSIL is dominant but its different plan networks (HMO versus PPO versus narrow-network products) cover different hospitals. Confirm the specific plan network, not just the carrier.
Medicaid renewals. Illinois resumed Medicaid redeterminations after the pandemic continuous-enrollment period ended. Keep your address current and respond to renewal notices.
Downstate carrier limits. Rural Illinois counties often have fewer carriers and tighter networks than the Chicago area.
Where to get help
Get Covered Illinois and HealthCare.gov Find Local Help tools, which list certified assisters and brokers.
The ABE portal and Family Community Resource Centers for Medicaid.
Community health centers across the state for sliding-scale care.
What to do next
Confirm which platform applies for your plan year.
Run the savings estimator on whichever site applies, using realistic income.
For families, check All Kids for the children separately if needed.
For broader context, see marketplace vs Medicaid, open enrollment deadlines, and premium tax credit income.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Where do Illinois residents apply for marketplace coverage?
Illinois has been transitioning to its own state-based marketplace, Get Covered Illinois, after using HealthCare.gov. The exact path depends on the plan year, so check both Get Covered Illinois and HealthCare.gov for the current cycle.
Did Illinois expand Medicaid?
Yes. Illinois expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so adults can qualify up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.
What is All Kids?
All Kids is Illinois children health coverage program, which includes Medicaid and CHIP coverage for children. Illinois has historically offered coverage to children regardless of immigration status under state-funded portions of the program.
Does Illinois cover adults regardless of immigration status?
Illinois has operated state-funded health coverage programs for some immigrant adults and seniors outside the federal Medicaid structure. These programs have specific eligibility and have changed with state budgets. Confirm current rules with the state.
