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How Illinois Realtors Should Compare Health Insurance Plans
Agents compare premiums and stop. Here's the order that actually protects you.
1. Out-of-pocket maximum
The most you can spend in a year on covered care. This is the number that matters in a bad year. Marketplace plans in Illinois cap around $9,200 individual; private PPOs commonly $6,000–$9,000.
2. Network — and where it works
Is your doctor in it? Is the hospital you'd actually go to in Cook County in it? Does it work in another state? HMO vs. PPO decides this. Cigna, Aetna and PHCS PPO PPOs are national.
3. Deductible
How much you pay before the plan pays. Healthy agents usually do best with a mid-range deductible and lower premium, plus an HSA.
4. Premium
Only now. And compare net of subsidy if you qualify, net of the self-employed deduction either way. Illinois has a flat 4.95% state income tax, so the self-employed premium deduction helps at both levels.
5. Enrollment flexibility
Marketplace: once a year. Private: any month. If your income is volatile, flexibility has value.
Illinois moved to its own state-run marketplace, Get Covered Illinois, for 2026 coverage, and Chicago-area marketplace plans are heavily HMO — one reason suburban business owners look at national PPOs.
Our quoting tool shows every private plan in Illinois with deductible and out-of-pocket max side by side. Or check your options and we'll compare both markets for you.