Approximately 905,900 people didn’t have health insurance in Illinois as of 2019, per data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). That’s about 7.3% of the state’s population. The nonprofit also looked at the uninsured rate in 2021 and found that of the people who still don’t have coverage, just over 404,000 could qualify for marketplace health insurance.
Marketplace coverage covers 10 essential health benefits and pre-existing conditions. It also requires insurers to play by certain rules under the Affordable Care Act, and it makes health insurance more affordable for some.
Under the ACA, marketplace plans come with subsidies for people earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. These subsidies — officially called advance premium tax credits — lower monthly premiums for households with low to moderate incomes.
In 2021, KFF estimates that about 13% of the people who qualify for marketplace plans in Indiana but who don’t have a plan yet could get a bronze plan for free thanks to subsidies.
KFF also looked at average premium costs for health insurance in Indiana. This year, the average lowest premiums by metal type are $337 for bronze, $415 for silver and $478 for gold. But these averages don’t take into account any subsidies that might be available.
If you qualify for a tax credit, you might save on your monthly premiums. Using data from our own marketplace, we’ve estimated that a 40-year-old in Waukegan, IL, who makes $37,000 a year might get a plan for $239.70 a month with a tax credit.
Cost and plan options vary based on where you live. There are at least 8 health insurers in Illinois this year, including Cigna, Bright Health, Centene, Mercy Health and Quartz.
Sources
Kaiser Family Foundation, “Health Insurance Coverage of the Total Population”
Kaiser Family Foundation, “Marketplace Eligibility Among the Uninsured: Implications for a Broadened Enrollment Period and ACA Outreach” (January 27, 2021)
Kaiser Family Foundation, “Average Marketplace Premiums by Metal Tier, 2018-2021”
Kaiser Family Foundation, “Insurer Participation on the ACA Marketplaces, 2014-2021” (November 23, 2020)