Paul Sanchez
If you're wondering when to sign up for Medicare supplemental insurance in Illinois, it's important to understand the different parts of Medicare and the eligibility requirements. Medicare, a federal health insurance program, offers various plans to cater to different needs. Original Medicare, directly administered by the federal government, consists of Parts A and B, while Medicare Advantage (Part C) is provided by private insurers. To purchase a Medicare supplement plan, also known as a Medigap plan, you must already have Medicare Parts A and B. The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts for 6 months starting from the first day of the month you turn 65 and enroll in Part B. During this period, insurance companies cannot deny coverage based on your health status. However, after this window closes, your options may become limited and policies tend to be more expensive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to buy a Medigap policy | During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period |
| Medigap Open Enrollment Period | The 6-month period starting the first day of the month you're 65 or older and signed up for Part B |
| Cost of a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois | Depends on insurer, age, sex, tobacco use, and location |
| Number of insurers offering Medigap plans in Illinois (2025) | 49 |
| Medicare Supplement Annual Open Enrollment Period (Illinois) | Enrollees aged 65-75 can switch to a different Medigap plan offered by their current insurer, as long as the plan offers equal or lesser benefits; the window starts on the beneficiary's birthday and lasts for 45 days |
| Medicare Advantage plans in Illinois | Available throughout the state, with plan availability ranging from 1 plan to over 50 plans, depending on the county |
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What You'll Learn
Medicare supplement plans in Illinois: what are they?
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is a type of coverage that Illinois residents with Medicare Part A and Part B can purchase to help with certain out-of-pocket expenses. These expenses include copays, coinsurance, and deductibles that may be left over after Medicare pays for covered services.
There are nearly 1.4 million Original Medicare beneficiaries in Illinois, and they have many choices for Medicare Supplement Insurance coverage. The federal government regulates Medigap plans, but private insurance companies sell them. In Illinois, there are 10 standard Medigap plan types available, and nearly 95% of Medigap members are in one of the three most popular types: Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N.
Plan F offers the most comprehensive coverage of any Medigap plan, but it is not available to Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January. Plan G is the highest-coverage option available to new Medicare members, and Plan N has lower premiums but higher copays. The premiums for these plans in Chicago range from $91 per month for Plan N to $123 per month for Plan G.
The best time to buy a Medigap policy in Illinois is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts for 6 months and starts the first day of the month you're 65 or older and signed up for Part B. After this period, your options to buy a Medigap policy may be limited and the policy may cost more. You can purchase any Medigap policy sold by an insurance company in Illinois, and there are several companies that offer competitive rates and benefits.
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When is the best time to buy a Medigap policy in Illinois?
The best time to buy a Medigap policy in Illinois is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is a six-month window that starts on the first day of the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this period, you have guaranteed-issue rights, and you will have the most options available to you. If you are between 65 and 75 years old, you will have an annual 45-day open enrollment period that starts on your birthday.
If you miss your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period, your options for buying a Medigap policy may be limited, and the policy may cost more. You may still be able to buy a Medigap policy outside of this period, but you will likely have to answer medical questions, and you could be charged more or denied coverage.
In Illinois, if you are under 65 and eligible for Medicare due to a disability, you can buy a Medigap policy during your initial six-month enrollment window. Illinois law requires all Medigap insurers to sell any of their available plans to beneficiaries under 65, and they cannot be charged more than the insurer's highest on-file rate for those over 65. However, Medigap policies for those under 65 with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are not guaranteed issuance and can cost a lot more.
It is important to note that if you have Medicare Advantage (Part C), you are typically not eligible for a Medigap plan at the same time. Additionally, Medigap policies do not include drug coverage for people in Medicare Part D; you will need to enroll in a separate prescription drug plan for that.
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How much does a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois cost?
The cost of a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois depends on several factors, including the insurer, your sex, your age, and whether you use tobacco. The main difference between plans offered by different insurers is the cost of the monthly premium, though some plans may offer additional benefits.
According to an analysis by health policy research group KFF, the average premium cost for a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois was $226 in 2023. The best way to find the monthly costs for a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois is to use Medicare’s coverage finder tool. This will give you an accurate price quote based on your personal details and location.
In addition to the standard Plan A-L Medicare supplement health care policies, Medicare SELECT is a type of Medicare Supplement health care policy that can cost less than standard Medicare supplemental insurance. However, you can only go to certain doctors and hospitals for your care. In Illinois, Medicare Select plans are offered by BlueCross Blue Shield of Illinois, which offers the most popular Medicare Supplement plans in Illinois with the most competitive rates. Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement Plans are also highly popular in Illinois and usually have the lowest rates, with lower rates for non-tobacco users.
The best time to buy a Medicare Supplement policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is the 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you're 65 or older and signed up for Part B. During this period, companies must sell you any plan they offer, regardless of your pre-existing health conditions, and they cannot charge more because of present or past health conditions. After this period, your options to buy a Medigap policy may be limited and the policy may cost more.
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What are the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage in Illinois?
In Illinois, the Medicare Advantage program (also known as Medicare Part C) is a federal health insurance program that offers cost-saving measures by allowing beneficiaries to choose from a number of basic types of health insurance programs.
Pros
- Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra coverage, such as health and wellness programs, and most plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D).
- Medicare Advantage brings the cost-saving measures of managed care into the Medicare program. You may find a cheaper plan than the premiums you pay now.
- You can choose a health insurance plan that suits your needs, rather than a government reimbursement plan.
- Medicare Advantage plans are rated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being a top-rated plan, so you can easily compare plans.
- You can save on out-of-pocket costs with a Medicare Advantage plan.
Cons
- Medicare Advantage plans might have different rules for how you get services. For example, they might require a referral to see a specialist, or you might have to go to doctors that belong to the plan for non-emergency care.
- Your services may not be covered if you go to a doctor that doesn't belong to the plan.
- Depending on the type of Medicare coverage you have, your costs could be higher.
- Not all plans from highly-rated companies get high ratings, and even a plan with a high rating may not be the right fit for your needs.
The best time to buy a Medigap policy in Illinois is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is a 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you turn 65 and are signed up for Part B. After this period, your options may be limited and the policy may cost more.
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How do I sign up for Medicare supplemental insurance in Illinois?
If you are an Illinois resident, you have a number of different Medicare options to choose from. You can sign up for Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and decide whether to add Medicare Part D (drug coverage) or a supplemental insurance plan, also known as Medigap. You may also decide to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.
To sign up for Medicare Parts A and B, you can contact the Social Security Administration. You can call them at 800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or use Social Security's online Medicare application. If you are interested in Medicare Advantage plans in Illinois, you can compare plans at Medicare.gov. If you see a plan you like, you can enroll online.
The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is the 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you are 65 or older and have signed up for Part B. After this period, your options to buy a Medigap policy may be limited, and the policy may cost more.
The cost of a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois depends on a few factors, including the insurer, your sex, your age, and whether you use tobacco. The best way to find monthly costs for a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois is to use Medicare's coverage finder tool. This will give you an accurate price quote based on your personal details and location.
For further information about Medicare supplement plans in Illinois and personalized health insurance counseling, consider contacting the Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP). You can reach the group by phone (800-252-8966) or email ([email protected]).
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is the 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you turn 65 or older and have signed up for Part B. After this period, your options to buy a Medigap policy may be limited and the policy may cost more.
In 2022, Illinois enacted legislation that created a new Medicare Supplement Annual Open Enrollment Period. Under this law, Medigap enrollees between the ages of 65 and 75 have an annual window during which they can switch to a different Medigap plan, offered by their current Medigap insurer, as long as the plan offers equal or lesser benefits. The window starts on the beneficiary’s birthday and lasts for 45 days.
The cost of a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois depends on a few factors, including the insurer, your sex, your age, and whether you use tobacco. According to an analysis by health policy research group KFF, the average premium cost for a Medicare supplement plan in Illinois was $226 in 2023.
There are 10 Medicare supplement plans available to residents of Illinois, labelled A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Plans C and F are not available if you turned 65 years old on or after January 1, 2020.
