Medicare in Illinois: compare your plan options with a licensed agent
Whether you live in Chicago, Rockford, Springfield or a small town in between, a licensed agent can explain the Medicare plans we offer in your Illinois ZIP code in plain English. There's no cost for our help.
When you call, you'll speak with a licensed insurance sales agent. Amerance Health is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Your guide to Medicare in Illinois
Medicare is a federal program, so Parts A and B work the same way in Illinois as in every other state. What changes from state to state is which private plans you can choose from, the state rules that apply to Medicare Supplement insurance, and the local programs that can help you pay for coverage. This page covers what's specific to Illinois.
Your Medicare options in Illinois
People with Medicare in Illinois choose between two main paths:
Original Medicare, with a Medicare Supplement and Part D
Original Medicare (Part A for hospital care and Part B for medical care) lets you see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. That's useful if you see specialists across Illinois or spend part of the year out of state. Because Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit, many people add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy to cover deductibles and coinsurance, plus a stand-alone Part D plan for prescriptions.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They bundle hospital, medical and usually drug coverage into one plan, often with dental, vision and hearing benefits and a yearly out-of-pocket maximum. Plans are approved county by county, so what's available in Chicago may differ from what's available in Rockford or rural Illinois. Most use provider networks (HMO or PPO), so it's important to confirm your doctors and hospitals before you enroll.
Not sure which path fits you? Read our Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement comparison.
Illinois Medicare Supplement (Medigap) rules
Illinois has a Medigap birthday rule for people ages 65 to 75, and strong protections for people under 65.
- Birthday rule (since 2022): if you're 65 to 75 and have a Medigap policy, you get 45 days starting on your birthday each year to switch to a policy with equal or fewer benefits from the same insurance company or one of its affiliates, without health questions. For example, you could move from Plan F to Plan G with your current insurer.
- Under 65: insurers can't turn down people under 65 on Medicare because of a disability who apply within 6 months of first enrolling in Part B, and must offer them every Medigap plan they sell to people 65 and older. Premiums can't be higher than the insurer's highest rate for that plan for people 65 and older.
Everywhere in the U.S., your strongest protection is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period: the 6 months starting when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that window, insurers in Illinois must sell you any Medigap plan they offer, at the same price as someone in good health. Plan G and Plan N are common choices for people new to Medicare. Compare what each Medigap plan covers.
Talk with a licensed agent in Illinois
We'll compare the plans we offer in your ZIP code against your doctors, prescriptions and budget.
Call (954) 668-4095 Request a callbackTurning 65 in Illinois
Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7 months around your 65th birthday: the 3 months before your birthday month, the month itself and the 3 months after. Sign up in the 3 months before your birthday month so your coverage starts on the first day of the month you turn 65. If you already receive Social Security, you'll be enrolled in Parts A and B automatically. Otherwise, apply through Social Security online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office in Illinois.
If you're still working, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. Our Turning 65 Medicare guide walks through every deadline, or you can take our 2-minute quiz to get a personal game plan.
Help paying for Medicare in Illinois
- Medicaid (Illinois Medicaid): Illinois residents with limited income and resources may qualify for Medicaid in addition to Medicare. Learn more from Illinois Medicaid.
- Medicare Savings Programs: run through Illinois's Medicaid agency, these can pay your Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026), and in some cases your deductibles and coinsurance.
- Extra Help: a federal program that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. Apply through Social Security.
- Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs): Medicare Advantage plans for people with both Medicare and Medicaid, which coordinate both sets of benefits.
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Illinois
Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is Illinois's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Trained counselors give free, unbiased help with Medicare questions and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-252-8966 or visit their website.
Insurance in Illinois is regulated by the Illinois Department of Insurance, which licenses agents and handles consumer complaints.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. For information on all of your options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP).
2026 Medicare costs in Illinois
Original Medicare costs are set nationally by CMS and are the same in Illinois as everywhere else. Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Part D premiums vary by plan and location.
| Cost | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Part B standard monthly premium | $202.90 |
| Part B yearly deductible | $283 |
| Part A hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Part A premium | $0 for most people with 40 quarters of work |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | $2,100 |
| Medicare Advantage in-network out-of-pocket limit | Up to $9,250 (many plans are lower) |
Key Medicare dates for Illinois residents
- Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31, 2027, if you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- General Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31 each year, if you missed signing up for Part A or Part B.
- Moving within or out of Illinois: if you move out of your plan's service area, you get a Special Enrollment Period to choose a new plan.
Illinois Medicare FAQs
Does Illinois have a Medigap birthday rule?
Yes, for people ages 65 to 75. Each year, Illinois Medigap policyholders in that age range get 45 days starting on their birthday to switch to a policy with equal or fewer benefits from the same insurer or an affiliate, without health questions.
Can I get a Medicare Supplement plan under 65 in Illinois?
Yes. Illinois insurers can't deny Medigap to people under 65 with Medicare due to a disability who apply within 6 months of first enrolling in Part B. They must offer every plan they sell to people 65 and older, and premiums can't exceed the insurer's highest rate for that plan for people 65 and older.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Illinois?
Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is Illinois's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). It offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling at 1-800-252-8966. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov for information on all plans.
Can I get help paying for Medicare in Illinois?
Yes, if your income and savings are limited. Illinois's Medicaid program (Illinois Medicaid) runs the Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay your Part B premium, and Social Security runs Extra Help, which lowers prescription drug costs. People with both Medicare and Medicaid may also qualify for a Dual Special Needs Plan.
Are Medicare Advantage plans the same everywhere in Illinois?
No. Medicare Advantage plans are approved county by county, so the plans, premiums, networks and extra benefits available in Chicago can differ from those in other parts of Illinois. A licensed agent can show you the plans we offer for your ZIP code.
When can I sign up for Medicare in Illinois?
Enrollment dates are the same in every state. Most people first sign up during their 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around their 65th birthday. If you already have Medicare, you can change Medicare Advantage and Part D plans during the Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7, with coverage starting January 1.
Medicare help in nearby states
We also help people with Medicare in Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri and Wisconsin. See all the states we serve.