Get Insured
Depending on things like your age, income, and employment status, you may be eligible to get insurance through Medicare, Illinois Medicaid, or private insurance.
UI Health participates in a wide range of health insurance plans. Click here for a full list of accepted insurance plans. To check if your insurance benefits cover services at UI Health, please contact your plan directly.
Medicare Enrollment
There are different periods in which people can enroll in Medicare or change their existing Medicare plans.
Medicare Initial Enrollment: Varies
When you are first eligible for Medicare, you can enroll in a plan beginning 3 months before your start date and ending 3 months after your start date.
Medicare General Enrollment: January 1 – March 31
This is the time when people who missed their Initial Enrollment Period can enroll in Medicare.
Medicare Special Enrollment: Varies
If you encounter certain life events like moving, losing coverage, or other exceptional circumstances, you may be able to enroll in a different Medicare plan.
Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7
Anyone with Medicare can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan during this time.
For more information about Medicare enrollment periods, please visit medicare.gov.
Illinois Medicaid and All Kids
Medicaid and All Kids cover health care for people of all ages in Illinois with lower incomes. For more information about eligibility and enrollment, visit abe.illinois.gov.
Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan
You may be dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, depending on your disability status, age, and income. In this situation, Medicare is your primary insurance, and Medicaid can help cover some additional out-of-pocket costs. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will offer fully integrated dual eligible special needs plans (FIDE SNPs).
To learn more about enrolling in FIDE SNP, visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
If you are already enrolled in a FIDE SNP plan or an Illinois Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI), which will be transitioning to FIDE-SNP, you can change your plan during Medicare open enrollment beginning October 15. For more information: Illinois Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI).
Marketplace Insurance
If you are not eligible for other health coverage through your employer, Medicare, or Medicaid, you may be able to get health insurance through the Marketplace. Depending on your income, you may be eligible to receive subsidies or tax credits to help make your insurance plan more affordable.
Illinois has its own state-based marketplace.
New for plan year 2026, Illinois has its own state-based marketplace. You can apply for financial help and enroll in 2026 coverage when open enrollment starts on November 1. Customers can still use getcovered.illinois.gov for plan year 2025 coverage.
How can UI Health help me?
We can answer your questions over the phone, by email, or you can schedule an appointment to get help in-person.
