Chicago, IL – Illinois residents seeking health coverage will soon enroll through a state-run marketplace instead of Healthcare.gov, as state officials confirmed a full transition to a state-based system beginning Nov. 1.
According to the Illinois Department of Insurance, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the change, allowing Get Covered Illinois—originally launched in 2013 as a branded portal for the federal exchange—to operate independently. State leaders say the move will provide more flexibility to tailor health plans and services to local needs.
Gov. JB Pritzker called the change “a pivotal step” toward expanding access to affordable care. Department of Insurance Director Ann Gillespie noted the shift comes as the federal government reduces healthcare spending, adding that Illinois is “investing in building a marketplace that aims to increase access to health coverage for our residents.”
Get Covered Illinois Director Morgan Winters said the marketplace’s first open enrollment will emphasize customer support, with certified brokers and navigators offering free in-person assistance statewide. The marketplace will also debut a live Customer Assistance Center and redesigned website on Oct. 1, featuring live chat and simplified enrollment tools.
Officials caution that the expiration of Enhanced Premium Tax Credits—first implemented in 2021—will result in smaller subsidies for many enrollees, potentially driving double-digit premium increases. While some credits will remain, customers may need help finding affordable plans.
The navigator program, funded through a $6.5 million state grant launched last year, places trained enrollment specialists in communities across Illinois to assist residents who may struggle with the application process.
Open enrollment for 2026 coverage will run from Nov. 1, 2025, through Jan. 15, 2026. More information is available at GetCoveredIllinois.gov.
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