MONMOUTH, IL — People in Illinois who buy their own health insurance will soon be able to shop for 2026 coverage through Get Covered Illinois as open enrollment approaches. The window gives individuals and families a chance to compare plans, check premiums and update coverage before the new year begins.
Missie Shepherd, owner of Way Insurance Services, said the individual market is generally for people under 65 who do not receive health coverage through an employer. That can include self-employed workers and others who insure themselves directly or through the state marketplace.
Shepherd said the timing matters for anyone hoping to have a policy in place on Jan. 1. The main enrollment period runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15 for coverage effective the first day of the new year.
Key dates determine when coverage starts in the new year
Shepherd said Illinois shoppers can continue enrolling after the main deadline, but timing changes. People who sign up between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15 may still get coverage, though their plans would start Feb. 1 instead of Jan. 1.
That makes the earlier enrollment period especially important for anyone who wants uninterrupted coverage as the calendar turns. Insurance agents and marketplace advisers often encourage consumers to review their options early so they are not rushed when deadlines near.
For residents comparing plans, the open enrollment period is the main chance to move into a new policy or keep existing coverage with updated benefits and pricing. After the deadline, choices become more limited unless a person qualifies for a special enrollment period.
Who the individual market serves and how people enroll
The individual market is designed for people who need to insure themselves rather than through a workplace plan. Shepherd described it as coverage for people under 65 who are not getting insurance from an employer, including self-employed residents and others buying on their own.
Enrollment can happen through Get Covered Illinois or by purchasing a policy directly. The marketplace is meant to help consumers compare available plans in one place, while direct purchase is another route for people who already know what kind of coverage they want.
For many households, the process is less about finding the cheapest premium and more about making sure the plan fits their doctors, prescriptions and budget. That is why advisers typically recommend looking at the full picture instead of focusing on one number alone.
Premium tax credits may soften the impact of higher rates
Shepherd said she does not expect health insurance rates to fall. Even so, the impact will not be the same for every shopper because premium tax credits can offset at least some of the increase for eligible households.
According to Shepherd, people who qualify for those credits are often better protected from rising premiums because the tax credit may rise along with the cost of the plan. That can make monthly bills more manageable for families that meet the income guidelines.
The harder hit, she said, are residents who do not qualify for tax credits. Those shoppers may face another year of higher costs without the same financial cushion, making it more important to shop carefully when open enrollment begins.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only marketplace option in Knox and Warren counties
In Knox and Warren counties, Blue Cross Blue Shield remains the only health insurance option available through Get Covered Illinois. That gives local residents a much narrower set of choices than shoppers in some other parts of the state.
For people in those counties, the limited selection makes it even more important to understand plan details before signing up. Premiums, provider networks and prescription coverage can all matter when there is only one marketplace carrier available.
Residents still have the opportunity to review whether that option meets their needs for the coming year. Even with a single carrier in the marketplace, policy differences can still affect out-of-pocket costs and access to care.
Why early review matters for self-employed and uninsured adults
Open enrollment is especially relevant for self-employed adults, part-time workers and others without job-based coverage. For those households, the individual market may be the main path to maintaining health insurance and avoiding gaps in care.
Shepherd’s comments suggest that waiting until the last minute can make the process harder, particularly for people trying to align coverage with a Jan. 1 start date. Early review also gives shoppers more time to check whether they qualify for financial help.
For many Illinois families, the season is a practical reminder to gather documents, compare options and make a decision before the main deadline arrives. Once the window closes, the timing of any new coverage becomes less flexible.