Before subsidies, the average benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old in Illinois costs $707 a month for 2027 (the national average is $704). Premium tax credits bring that down for many households, depending on income and family size. The rest of this page covers your coverage options in Chicago, the best-reviewed local agencies and the deadlines that matter.
Top-rated health insurance agencies near Chicago
Licensed agents can compare plans available in Cook County, check your doctors and estimate your premium tax credit. Free to you.
Call 866-645-8540Health insurance at a glance: Chicago, IL
| Where to enroll | Get Covered Illinois |
|---|---|
| Average benchmark silver, age 40 (2027) | $707/mo before subsidies |
| Marketplace insurers in Illinois (2027) | 5 |
| Medicaid expansion | Yes |
| Short-term plans | Not sold |
Sources: CMS plan data, KFF, state marketplace and insurance department pages.
Local health care in Chicago
- UChicago Medicine, the academic system anchored by the University of Chicago Medical Center in Hyde Park with Ingalls Memorial and clinics downtown and in the south suburbs, is one of the networks worth confirming is in-network before you pick a Chicago plan. Source
- Inside city limits, public health services come from the Chicago Department of Public Health, a City of Chicago department focused on making the city healthier and safer. Source
Before you choose a plan, check that the hospitals and doctors you use are in its network. An agent can look that up for each plan you compare.
A quick checklist
- Write down the enrollment deadline and confirm your first premium payment.
- Have a realistic estimate of next year's household income; subsidies are based on it.
- Make a list of your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions before you call anyone.
- Compare total yearly cost (premiums plus deductible), not just the monthly premium.
Free enrollment help in Illinois
Get Covered Illinois Navigators, certified by the exchange, give free, unbiased local help; the exchange also lists free licensed brokers. You can search for in-person help on the official find-help page. If you'd rather have someone compare plans and recommend one, a licensed agent can do that at no cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy health insurance in Chicago?
Through the Get Covered Illinois, directly from an insurer, or with a licensed agent or broker who can do either.
How much is health insurance in Chicago?
Before subsidies, the average benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old in Illinois costs $707 a month for 2027 (the national average is $704). Premium tax credits bring that down for many households, depending on income and family size. A licensed agent can quote your exact price.
Which insurers sell marketplace plans in Illinois?
For 2027, marketplace plans in Illinois come from 5 insurers: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Ambetter (Celtic), MercyCare, Oscar Health and UnitedHealthcare. Not every insurer sells in every county.
Health insurance in nearby cities
- Cicero, IL 4 miles
- Stickney, IL 5 miles
- Berwyn, IL 5 miles
- Oak Park, IL 6 miles
- Riverside, IL 7 miles
- Forest Park, IL 7 miles
- Lyons, IL 7 miles
- North Riverside, IL 7 miles
- Summit, IL 7 miles
- Burbank, IL 8 miles