Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois 2026
Last reviewed: June 2026 · Data sourced from CMS.gov
Illinois has a large Medicare Advantage market shaped by its geography. The Chicago metro has among the highest plan counts in the Midwest, with 40 or more options in Cook County. Central and southern Illinois are a different story, with some rural counties offering only a handful of plans from one or two carriers.
Plan availability varies by county. Enter your ZIP code to see the exact plans, premiums, and coverage available where you live in Illinois.
Rural Coverage Note
Parts of Illinois have limited Medicare Advantage plan availability. If you live in a rural county, you may find fewer plans or smaller provider networks. Comparing your options alongside Medicare Supplement plans is worth doing before you decide.
What to Look for in a Illinois Medicare Advantage Plan
- ✓ Whether your current doctors and specialists are in-network
- ✓ Drug formulary — does it cover your prescriptions at a reasonable cost?
- ✓ Monthly premium and annual out-of-pocket maximum
- ✓ Extra benefits: dental, vision, hearing, fitness programs
- ✓ Star rating — CMS rates plans from 1 to 5 stars based on quality and member experience
- ✓ HMO vs. PPO — HMOs require referrals and restrict out-of-network care; PPOs are more flexible
2026 Medicare Advantage Costs in Illinois
| Cost | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $0 to $50 (many plans at $0) |
| Annual out-of-pocket maximum | Up to $9,350 in-network (2026 CMS limit) |
| Primary care visit copay | $0 to $20 typical |
| Specialist visit copay | $20 to $50 typical |
| Inpatient hospital stay | $250 to $350/day for first few days (varies by plan) |
| Part B premium (always required) | $202.90/month standard (2026) |
Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap in Illinois
Illinois residents outside the Chicago metro often turn to Medigap for greater provider flexibility. Downstate Illinois has significant rural areas where Advantage provider networks are thin and out-of-network costs are a real risk.