Haris Ashley
Medicare supplement insurance, also known as Medigap, is a form of insurance that fills the gaps in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by covering out-of-pocket costs. Medigap plans are available in Illinois, with 49 insurers offering these plans in 2025. Illinois residents can choose from 10 standardized Medigap plans, labelled A through N, with varying monthly premiums and additional benefits. The cost of Medigap in Illinois depends on factors such as the insurer, age, sex, and tobacco use. Enrollees between 65 and 75 can take advantage of Illinois' annual open enrollment period, allowing them to switch to a different Medigap plan with equal or lesser benefits during a 45-day window starting on their birthday.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of insurers offering Medigap plans in Illinois | 49 |
| Number of Medigap enrollees in Illinois in 2020 | 787,968 |
| Percentage of Illinois' Original Medicare population with Medigap coverage in 2020 | 50% |
| Percentage of Original Medicare beneficiaries with Medigap coverage nationwide | 25% |
| Number of Medicare supplement plans available to Illinois residents | 10 |
| Average premium cost for a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois in 2023 | $226 |
| Percentage of Illinois residents enrolled in Original Medicare with a Medicare supplement plan in 2023 | 54% |
| Number of stand-alone Part D prescription plans available to Illinois residents in 2025 | 17 |
| Minimum monthly premium for Part D prescription plans in Illinois in 2025 | $0 |
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What You'll Learn
Medigap eligibility and enrolment in Illinois
Illinois residents have a number of different Medicare options to choose from. If you are 65 or older, you are eligible for Medicare in Illinois if you live in the United States and are a US citizen or permanent resident, or if you already receive Social Security retirement benefits or qualify for them. Once eligible for Medicare Part B, you have a six-month Medigap guaranteed acceptance period. Outside of this window, you can still apply but you may face higher charges or be denied coverage.
If you are under 65 and eligible for Medicare due to a disability, Medigap insurance providers in Illinois must offer at least one Medigap plan to you. These plans are not guaranteed and can cost significantly more than those for people over 65. If you are under 65 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), you can immediately choose a Medigap plan, but again, these plans are not guaranteed and can be very expensive.
If you are new to Medicare, the most popular choice is Plan G. This is because Plan F, which was the previous go-to, is no longer available to new members. If you are 65-75 years old and have an active Medigap plan, you have a 45-day annual open enrollment period that starts on your birthday. During this time, you can choose any plan with equal or lesser benefits from your current provider, and you cannot be denied coverage or charged more because of your medical history.
Medigap plans cover some of the healthcare costs that Original Medicare doesn’t, such as copayments and deductibles, and they also often provide prescription, dental, vision, and hearing coverage. You cannot have Medigap and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.
If you need help with your Medicare application in Illinois, or have questions about Medicare eligibility in the state, you can contact the Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program. The Illinois Department on Aging also has resources for Illinois residents shopping for Medigap plans.
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Medigap plan options
Medigap, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, helps cover gaps in Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Medigap plans are sold by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap plan.
There are 10 standard Medigap plan types, labelled A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N, each offering the same Medicare benefits, with some plans offering additional benefits. The most popular plans are F, G, and N, which offer more coverage and are therefore more costly. Plans F and G also offer a high-deductible plan in some states.
The cost of a Medigap plan in Illinois depends on factors such as the insurer, your age, sex, and whether you use tobacco. The average premium cost for a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois was $226 in 2023.
In 2021, Illinois enacted legislation that created a new Medicare Supplement Annual Open Enrollment Period, allowing Medigap enrollees between 65 and 75 to switch to a different Medigap plan offered by their current insurer, as long as the plan offers equal or lesser benefits. This window starts on the beneficiary's birthday and lasts for 45 days.
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Cost of Medigap plans in Illinois
The cost of Medigap plans in Illinois varies depending on factors such as age, sex, location, and tobacco use. Medigap Plan G is the most popular plan for new Medicare enrollees in Illinois, offering the most comprehensive coverage. The monthly premium for Plan G in Illinois is estimated to be $123 for a 65-year-old female non-smoker. Mutual of Omaha offers Plan G at competitive rates, 18% cheaper than the Illinois average, saving customers $144 per year.
Plan N is another popular option for those looking for lower monthly premiums and comprehensive emergency coverage. The average cost of Plan N in Illinois is $91 per month, with Cigna offering the lowest rate at $88 per month.
It is important to note that Medigap plans are standardized, meaning that the same plan will offer the same benefits regardless of the company. However, prices for the same plan may vary between companies, so it is recommended to compare prices and consider factors such as customer satisfaction and additional perks when choosing a Medigap plan in Illinois.
Additionally, Illinois requires Medicare Supplement plan carriers to offer at least one Medigap plan to those who qualify for Medicare under 65 years of age. However, eligibility requirements may vary, and individuals must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to be eligible for a Medigap plan.
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Medigap and Medicare Advantage
Medigap, or Medicare Supplement Insurance, is a form of insurance that helps cover gaps in Original Medicare (parts A and B). Medigap plans are sold by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and you must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to buy a Medigap policy. Medigap plans help cover the out-of-pocket costs of Original Medicare and you are free to see any doctor that accepts Medicare. The cost of a Medigap plan in Illinois depends on factors such as the insurer, age, sex, and tobacco use. In 2023, the average premium cost for a Medigap plan in Illinois was $226.
Medicare Advantage, on the other hand, is an alternative to traditional Medicare offered by private health insurers. It covers the same benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B, and often includes Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). Medicare Advantage plans often have lower monthly premiums, but you usually have to go to providers within your plan's network. Medicare Advantage may require copays for doctor visits and hospitalizations, which can result in higher costs if you require frequent medical services.
In Illinois, there are 49 insurers offering Medigap plans for 2025, with premiums varying depending on the region of the state. Illinois enacted legislation in 2021 that created a new Medicare Supplement Annual Open Enrollment Period, allowing Medigap enrollees between 65 and 75 to switch to a different Medigap plan offered by their current insurer during a 45-day window starting on their birthday.
While you cannot have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time, there is a once-in-a-lifetime trial right that allows you to switch to Medicare Advantage and return to Medigap within 12 months without going through medical underwriting.
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Medigap and prescription drug coverage
Medigap, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, is a type of private insurance that helps fill in some of the gaps in original Medicare coverage, including Medicare Part A and Part B. It is important to note that Medigap is different from Medicare Advantage, as it only supplements traditional Medicare plans and cannot be used on its own. While Medigap can help cover some out-of-pocket expenses, it does not typically include coverage for prescription drugs. That said, some Medigap plans offered in the past did include prescription drug coverage, but these are no longer available to new Medicare enrollees.
If you're a Medicare beneficiary in Illinois or any other state, it's important to understand your options for prescription drug coverage. Since Medigap plans sold today don't include prescription drug coverage, you'll need to enroll in a separate Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, often referred to as Part D. This plan will work alongside your original Medicare and Medigap coverage to help pay for your medications. When you first become eligible for Medicare, you have a seven-month initial enrollment period to sign up for a Part D plan. This period includes the three months before, the month of, and the three months after your 65th birthday.
You can find and compare Part D plans available in your area by using the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov. When selecting a plan, consider factors such as the specific drugs covered, premiums, deductibles, and whether your preferred pharmacies are in the plan's network. Keep in mind that if you don't enroll in a Part D plan when you're first eligible and don't have other creditable prescription drug coverage, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you decide to enroll later. This penalty is added to your monthly premium for as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage.
It's also important to be aware that some Medigap plans may offer additional benefits beyond basic supplemental coverage. These can include limited coverage for emergency foreign travel expenses, which can be helpful if you anticipate needing medical care while traveling outside the United States. However, Medigap plans generally don't cover long-term care, dental or vision care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private-duty nursing. If you require these types of services, you may need to explore separate insurance options or pay out of pocket.
Remember, when purchasing a Medigap policy, you must already be enrolled in basic Medicare. Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies, and each standardized Medigap policy must follow federal and state laws. These laws protect you by ensuring that each Medigap policy of the same type offers the same basic benefits, no matter which insurance company sells it. However, costs and coverage details may vary, so it's important to carefully review and understand the specifics of any Medigap plan you're considering.
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Frequently asked questions
Medigap insurance, or Medicare supplement insurance, helps cover the gaps in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by covering out-of-pocket costs.
Yes, there are 49 insurers that offered Medigap plans in Illinois in 2025. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap plan.
The cost of a Medigap plan in Illinois depends on factors such as the insurer, your sex, your age, and whether you use tobacco. The average premium cost was $226 in 2023.
You can use Medicare's coverage finder tool to get an accurate price quote based on your personal details and location. It is recommended that you shop around and compare policies before choosing a plan.
