Health Coverage

Health insurance in Illinois: how to enroll for 2027

Illinois runs its own marketplace, Get Covered Illinois. It’s the only place to get financial help that lowers your monthly premium. Here are the dates, who can sign up and where to get free help.

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2027 open enrollment dates

Coverage only starts once you pay your first premium, so pay it on time.

October 19

You can preview 2027 plans and prices on Get Covered Illinois.

Source: Get Covered Illinois

November 1

Open enrollment begins for 2027 coverage.

Source: Get Covered Illinois

December 15

Enroll by this date for coverage that starts January 1.

Source: Get Covered Illinois

January 15

Open enrollment ends. If you enroll December 16 to January 15, coverage starts February 1.

Source: Get Covered Illinois

Who can buy a marketplace plan

To buy through Get Covered Illinois, you need to live in Illinois, be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawfully present, and not be incarcerated. See Get Covered Illinois for details.

Help paying for coverage

Premium tax credits lower your monthly premium based on your household size, where you live and your expected income. If you qualify for a Silver plan, cost-sharing reductions can also lower deductibles and copays. Get Covered Illinois notes that the enhanced tax credits ended after 2025, so the help you get may be smaller than in past years. Check your updated estimate rather than assuming last year’s price. See Financial help.

If you get advance tax credits, you’ll reconcile them on your tax return using Form 1095-A. Report income changes during the year to avoid owing money back.

Medicaid and other options

You can apply for Illinois Medicaid at any time of year, not just during open enrollment, through ABE (Application for Benefits Eligibility). If you lose job-based coverage, move, have a baby or get married, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to buy a plan outside open enrollment.

Turning 65 or already on Medicare? Marketplace plans aren’t the right fit. See our Medicare Open Enrollment guide instead.

How to compare plans

Look past the premium. Compare the deductible, copays and out-of-pocket maximum. A cheaper monthly premium can cost more if you use care often.
Check your doctors and hospitals. Confirm they’re in the plan’s network for 2027.
Check your prescriptions. Make sure your drugs are on the plan’s drug list and see what tier they’re on.
Use the official site. Only Get Covered Illinois can apply the tax credits. Be wary of sites or callers that promise “free” coverage or ask for payment to enroll you.

Free help enrolling

Navigators and certified application counselors help for free, and certified brokers can help too. Search for help near you with the Get Covered Illinois assister search, or call Get Covered Illinois at 1-866-311-1119 (TTY: 711). See Free local help.

Common questions

When can I sign up for health insurance in Illinois?

Open enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage.

Where do I get the tax credit?

Only through Get Covered Illinois, the state’s official marketplace.

Will my premium go up?

It might. Get Covered Illinois notes the enhanced tax credits expired after 2025, so some people will get less help. Log in to see your 2027 estimate.

Can I enroll after January 15?

Only with a qualifying life event, like losing other coverage, moving or having a baby. You can apply for Medicaid at any time.

Is enrollment help really free?

Yes. Navigators and certified application counselors don’t charge for help through Get Covered Illinois.

Does MegaSavings get paid?

No. We don’t sell insurance and aren’t paid by any plan for this page.

Sources

More guides: Medicare Open Enrollment · Prescriptions without insurance · Subscriptions & Bills

Last reviewed: October 28, 2026