Illinois Open Enrollment 2027: Get Covered Illinois, Cigna and Molina Exits, and Your Deadlines

Illinois families no longer use HealthCare.gov. Since the 2026 plan year, the state runs its own Marketplace called Get Covered Illinois (Get Covered Illinois).

What’s changing for 2027

• Cigna and Molina are leaving. Illinois goes from seven insurers to five, and Cigna and Molina members must pick a new plan for 2027 (Illinois Department of Insurance).
• Five insurers continue: Ambetter, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, MercyCare, Oscar, and UnitedHealthcare. Together they offer 263 plans (Illinois Department of Insurance).
• The final average rate increase is 14.1% before subsidies, down from 28.8% for 2026 (Illinois Department of Insurance). The benchmark Silver plan, which sets your subsidy, rose about 11% on average (Illinois Department of Insurance).
• More choices downstate: Ambetter expanded into 21 more counties, including Adams, Pike, Effingham, Jefferson, Marion, and much of southern Illinois. MercyCare added Stephenson County (Illinois Department of Insurance).
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the only insurer in 42 counties (Illinois Department of Insurance).

Dates are from Get Covered Illinois.

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Watch out for the subsidy cliff

The extra federal subsidies ended after 2025 (Congressional Research Service). For 2027, households above 400% of the federal poverty level don’t get help with premiums (HealthCare.gov). If your income is close to that line, a small change in your estimate can make a big difference. We can walk through it with you.

A tip most Illinois residents miss

Illinois has a health insurance checkbox on the state tax return (Form IL-1040). It lets you share your information with Get Covered Illinois to check if you qualify for coverage and savings. If you check it, you get a 60-day special window to enroll, even outside Open Enrollment (Get Covered Illinois).

What to do this month

1. Log in to Get Covered Illinois and confirm your account works.
2. If you have Cigna or Molina, plan to choose a new insurer.
3. Bring a list of doctors and prescriptions to your plan review.

Lost Medicaid this fall?

Federal changes ended Medicaid for some lawfully present immigrants on October 1, 2026. If that’s you, Get Covered Illinois has a special enrollment window through December 31, 2026, and coverage can start as early as October 1 so there’s no gap (Get Covered Illinois). Starting January 1, 2027, only green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and COFA citizens stay eligible for tax credits (Get Covered Illinois).

Quick answers

Can a broker help with Get Covered Illinois?

Yes. A licensed broker can compare plans with you and help you enroll. Plan prices are the same either way.

I had a HealthCare.gov account before. Does it still work?

Illinois moved accounts to Get Covered Illinois. Log in there for 2027.

Related guides

• 2027 Open Enrollment: what you need to know
• 5 legal ways to lower your ACA premium
• ACA premiums in 2027 after the extra subsidies expired
• ACA subsidies 2027: the 400% income cliff
• Ambetter Health 2027: new plans and where it is growing

Sources

1. Get Covered Illinois: Open enrollment
2. Get Covered Illinois: FAQ
3. Illinois Department of Insurance: 2027 on-exchange plan analysis
4. Illinois Department of Insurance: 2027 final rates
5. Congressional Research Service: Premium tax credits
6. HealthCare.gov: Coverage for lawfully present immigrants
7. Get Covered Illinois: Tax-time easy enrollment
8. Get Covered Illinois: Coverage for noncitizens losing Medicaid
9. Get Covered Illinois: Marketplace changes

Simple Start Insurance is a licensed health insurance agency. We are not affiliated with HealthCare.gov, any state marketplace, or any government agency. Plan availability, prices, and dates vary by state and county. This article is general information, not tax or legal advice.

Want help comparing your options? See how we help with individual and family health insurance, or request a free 2027 plan check.