Over 600,000 Illinois residents have upgraded their Medicare coverage with Medicare Advantage plans. There are 128,385 current enrollees in Chicago alone. However, it’s essential to understand the ins and outs of Illinois Medicare Advantage plans before upgrading your coverage.
Read on to learn more about Illinois Medicare Advantage plans and their coverage.
Illinois Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare Advantage plans are viable alternatives to Original Medicare. They are private medical plans provided by independent carriers instead of the federal government.
There are several plans to choose from, covering everything from medical care to vision and everything in between. Illinois currently offers four to 56 Medicare Advantage plans, depending on your county.
However, Medicare Advantage plans vary from carrier to carrier. For example, one might offer vision and prescription drug coverage while another offers dental and hearing plans. It’s crucial to research all the available Medicare Advantage plans and carriers before committing to a specific program.
Medicare Advantage plans offered in Illinois
As stated before, Medicare Advantage plans aren’t standardized by the federal government, differing from Medigap plans. They also vary from zip code to zip code, so you might encounter slightly different information than what we provide below.
We focused on a specific Illinois zip code that offers zero-dollar premiums, Part B reductions, zero-dollar drug deductibles, and more.
Medicare Advantage plans with a zero-dollar premium in Illinois
Numerous Illinois Medicare Advantage plans sport zero-dollar premiums. However, these plans often have higher maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) costs and copays.
HealthPartners provides five-star Medicare Advantage plans without premiums. It offers local PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan types with a $3,900 MOOP.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois provides Local PPO plan types with zero premiums and a 5,900 MOOP. It also has a four-star rating, making it a go-to choice for many Illinois residents.
Another four-star rated provider, Health Alliance, offers HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plan types with zero-dollar premiums and a $3,900 MOOP.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| HealthPartners | $0 | $3,900 | LOCAL PPO | 5 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois | $0 | $5,900 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Health Alliance | $0 | $3,900 | HMO | 4 |
| Aetna | $0 | $4,650 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| Humana | $0 | $5,500 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
Medicare Advantage plans with a zero-dollar drug deductible in Illinois
Illinois residents with numerous prescriptions benefit greatly from Medicare Advantage plans with zero-dollar drug deductibles.
WellCare offers high-quality local PPO plans with zero-dollar premiums and a $3,450 MOOP. Although it doesn’t currently have a star rating, many praise WellCare’s affordable Medicare Advantage plans.
Aetna has a four-star rating and offers local PPO plan types with zero-dollar premiums and a $4,650 MOOP.
HealthPartners sports a five-star rating and offers local PPO plans with zero premiums and a $3,900 MOOP. It’s currently the highest-rated plan carrier in the region.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| HealthPartners | $0 | $3,900 | LOCAL PPO | 5 |
| Health Alliance | $0 | $3,900 | HMO | 4 |
| Aetna | $0 | $4,650 | LOCAL PPO | 4 |
| WellCare | $0 | $3,450 | LOCAL PPO | N/A |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois | $0 | $3,400 | HMO | 3 |
Medicare Advantage plans with a 5-star rating in Illinois
Most people want the best Medicare Advantage plan possible. If you find a five-star plan in your area, switching your coverage to that plan during the Special Enrollment Period is best.
HealthPartners is the only five-star plan currently available in Illinois. It provides enrollees with local PPO plans with zero-dollar premiums and a $3,900 MOOP. If HealthPartners becomes available in your region, you may want to consider switching your coverage.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PLAN TYPE | STAR RATINGS |
| HealthPartners | $0 | $3,900 | LOCAL PPO | 5 |
Medicare Advantage plans with a Part B reduction in Illinois
It’s important to note that Medicare Advantage plans with Part B reductions aren’t available state-wide. Some zip codes offer these plans, while others don’t. If Medicare Advantage plans with Part B reductions interest you, check their availability in your region.
Although WellCare doesn’t have a star rating, it provides high-quality plans with zero-dollar premiums, a $3,450 MOOP, and a $60 Part B reduction.
Humana enjoys a four-star rating and provides excellent Medicare Advantage plans without premiums. It has a $5,900 MOOP and a $35 Part B reduction.
Another plan with a four-star rating, , offers zero-dollar premiums, a $5,900 MOOP, and a $40 Part B reduction.
| PLAN | PREMIUM | MOOP | PART B REDUCTION | STAR RATINGS |
| WellCare | $0 | $3,450 | $60.00 | N/A |
| Humana | $0 | $5,900 | $35.00 | 4 |
| $0 | $5,900 | $40.00 | 4 |
Ancillary/DVH
Many people confuse Medicare Advantage plans with Medicare Supplements like Medigap. Although they share some similarities, a few key aspects differentiate them from one another.
Several Medicare Advantage plans provide ancillary coverage for vision, dental, hearing, and other services not covered by Original Medicare.
Illinois cities with Medicare Supplement coverage estimated premiums
If you’re interested in learning more about estimated premiums for Medicare Supplement coverage, we have charts for the below cities:
FAQs
What are Medicare Advantage plans available in Illinois?
There are currently four Medicare Advantage plans available to Illinois residents. Below are the four Illinois Medicare Advantage plans.
- HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations)
- PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations)
- PFFS Plans (Private Fee-For-Service)
- SNPs (Special Needs Plans)
Who can help me choose a Medicare Advantage plan in Illinois?
Talking to your doctor about Medicare Advantage plans can help you find the best plan for you. It’s also good to talk to friends and family members with Medicare Advantage plans to learn more about their coverage.
You can also use the Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare’s website to find viable plan options.
Are you automatically enrolled in Medicare if you’re on Social Security in Illinois?
The Social Security Administration automatically signs you up for Part A and Part B Medicare once you turn 65. You will receive sign-up instructions three months before your 65th birthday.
How long before you turn 65 do you apply for Medicare in Illinois?
Illinois residents must sign up for Medicare once they turn 65. Failing to do so swiftly often leads to fines and gaps in your coverage.
Does Medicare start on birthdays in Illinois?
Medicare kicks in the first day of your birthday month if Social Security automatically signs you up. If you sign up manually, Medicare could start before or after your birthday month, depending on the situation.
How to get help enrolling in Illinois Medicare Advantage plans
Contact Medigap if you need help enrolling in an Illinois Medicare Advantage plan. Our team works with all the leading carriers and will help you find the perfect plan for you.
We’ve helped countless Illinois residents find Medicare Advantage plans, and we can do the same for you. Call Medigap or complete our online rate form to get current rates today!
