Quick answer
In 2026, the benchmark silver Marketplace plan in Illinois averaged $646 a month for a 40-year-old before subsidies, slightly above the U.S. average of $625. Prices rise with age, from about $505 a month at 21 to $1,372 at 60. Most enrollees get a tax credit that lowers the cost. For 2027, insurers proposed an average increase of about 14%, and Cigna and Molina are leaving Illinois’ Marketplace.
Key takeaways
- Illinois’ 2026 benchmark premium for a 40-year-old was about $21 above the national average.
- About 449,000 people picked a plan for 2026, and 85% got a premium tax credit.
- Insurers proposed an average 14.1% increase for 2027, before subsidies.
- Cigna and Molina are leaving, so five insurers will sell Marketplace plans in 2027.
- Illinois now runs its own Marketplace, Get Covered Illinois, instead of HealthCare.gov.
On this page
What an Illinois Marketplace plan costs before subsidies
| Age | Benchmark silver plan, per month (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| 21 | $505 |
| 30 | $574 |
| 40 | $646 |
| 50 | $903 |
| 60 | $1,372 |
| 64 | $1,516 |
| Child under 15 | $387 |
A family of four with two 40-year-old parents and two young children would pay about $2,066 a month for benchmark plans before subsidies.
What you’d pay after a tax credit
If your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, a premium tax credit caps what you pay for the benchmark plan at a share of your income. A single 40-year-old in Illinois earning $40,000 would pay about $287 a month for the benchmark plan in 2026, with a tax credit of about $359. For 2027, the same person’s share would be about $289 a month. Above 400% of the poverty level ($62,600 for one person for 2026 coverage, $63,840 for 2027), you’d pay full price.
Starting in 2026, Illinois requires insurers to load extra cost onto silver plans. That raises the tax credit, which can make bronze and gold plans cheaper than usual after the credit, so compare all three. See the difference between bronze, silver, gold and platinum plans.
Costs beyond the premium
What you pay when you get care depends on your plan’s deductible, copays and coinsurance, up to the out-of-pocket maximum of $10,600 for one person in 2026 ($12,000 in 2027). If your income is under 250% of the poverty level, a silver plan’s cost-sharing reductions lower those costs.
Illinois Marketplace facts
- Marketplace: Get Covered Illinois, a state-run exchange since 2026 coverage.
- Enrollment: 448,568 plan selections for 2026, down about 4% from 2025. Enrollees paid an average of $230 a month after tax credits.
- Insurers: Seven in 2026: Ambetter (Celtic), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Cigna, MercyCare, Molina, Oscar and UnitedHealthcare. Cigna and Molina are leaving for 2027. If yours is one of them, see what to do if your insurance company leaves the Marketplace.
- 2027 prices: Insurers proposed an average increase of 14.1%, ranging from 9.2% for Ambetter to 14.9% for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. Final rates hadn’t been posted as of late September 2026.
- Medicaid: Illinois expanded Medicaid, covering adults with incomes up to 138% of the poverty level. State law would end the expansion if federal funding drops, though no cut has been made. Starting in 2027, many adults in the expansion group will need to meet federal work requirements. See Medicaid work requirements.
- Other rules: Short-term health plans are no longer sold in Illinois, and pregnancy now counts as a qualifying life event for enrolling.
When to enroll
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Sign up by December 15 to be safe. Get Covered Illinois hasn’t announced its deadline for January 1 coverage; for 2026, it extended that deadline to December 31. For ways to keep your bill down, see how to lower your Marketplace premium.
Other options in Illinois
- Job-based coverage, usually the cheapest route if it’s offered.
- Medicaid and All Kids for adults and children who qualify; see health insurance for low-income families.
- Medicare at 65.
Health insurance costs in other states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Washington.
See 2027 plans and prices in your Illinois county: compare quotes by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the average cost of health insurance in Illinois?
Before subsidies, the 2026 benchmark silver plan for a 40-year-old averaged $646 a month. What you pay depends on your age, county, income and plan.
Is Cigna leaving Illinois?
Yes. Cigna and Molina won’t sell Marketplace plans in Illinois for 2027. Their members need to choose a new plan during open enrollment.
When is open enrollment for 2027 in Illinois?
November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 through Get Covered Illinois. Signing up by December 15 is the safe bet for coverage starting January 1.
Sources
- healthinsurance.org: Illinois health insurance marketplace
- healthinsurance.org: 2027 proposed premium changes by state
- healthinsurance.org: States with Medicaid expansion trigger laws
- KFF: Average marketplace benchmark premiums by state
- KFF: Marketplace average premiums and average advance premium tax credit
This article is general information, not insurance or tax advice. Prices are averages and estimates; your actual premium depends on your county, age, income and plan. Last reviewed September 2026.