Health Insurance in Illinois — Options for Individuals, Families & the Self-Employed

Daniel Posey · Illinois · Updated August 2026 · 5 min read

Illinois just made one of the biggest changes in its insurance history: starting with 2026 coverage, the state runs its own marketplace — Get Covered Illinois — instead of HealthCare.gov. New website, new enrollment process, same fundamental challenge: figuring out which of dozens of plans actually fits your life and budget.

I'm Daniel Posey, an independent licensed health insurance broker (NPN 20609967), licensed in Illinois. I compare plans across multiple carriers — Marketplace and private — and my help costs you nothing, because carriers pay broker commissions, not clients.

The Illinois Health Insurance Landscape

Illinois residents now enroll in ACA coverage through Get Covered Illinois, the state's own exchange. Premium tax credits work the same way they did on HealthCare.gov, starting at 100% of the federal poverty level.

Illinois adopted Medicaid expansion, so adults earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level qualify for Medicaid — no coverage gap. Above that, subsidies phase down, and with the enhanced federal subsidies expired since the end of 2025, many middle-income Illinois households are paying more than they expected.

Who Benefits Most from Working with a Broker in Illinois

From Chicagoland's gig economy to small business owners downstate, these are the people I help most:

  • Self-employed professionals and 1099 contractors — consultants, realtors, rideshare and delivery drivers, and creatives across Chicagoland
  • Small business owners downstate — from Springfield to Peoria to Carbondale
  • Families above the subsidy sweet spot facing full-price premiums
  • Early retirees bridging the years before Medicare

A brand-new state exchange in the same year subsidies shrank is a lot of change at once. You don't have to sort it out alone — that's the job.

Your Realistic Options in Illinois

  1. ACA Marketplace plans — the right fit if you qualify for premium tax credits or need guaranteed-issue coverage for pre-existing conditions.
  2. Private medically underwritten plans — often meaningfully cheaper for healthy applicants who don't qualify for subsidies.
  3. Small group coverage — worth exploring if your business has at least one W-2 employee besides you.
  4. Supplemental coverage — accident, critical illness, dental, and vision plans that round out a high-deductible plan.

Getting Covered in Illinois — What to Expect

We start with a short phone call. I ask about your household, income, doctors, and prescriptions, then compare what's actually available to you — in plain English, with real numbers. If a plan makes sense, I can usually get you enrolled the same week. And if your current plan is already your best option, I'll tell you that too.

Three ways to get started

No fees. No pressure. Just straight answers about Illinois coverage.

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Daniel Posey is an independent, licensed health insurance broker serving Illinois and 30 other states. NPN 20609967. Posey Health Solutions LLC is a private, independently owned insurance agency. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the U.S. federal government, any state government or agency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or HealthCare.gov.