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Private Health Insurance vs. Obamacare in Illinois: An Honest Comparison
We sell both, so we have no reason to spin this. Here's the honest comparison for Illinois.
Where Obamacare (Get Covered Illinois) is better
Guaranteed acceptance regardless of health. Subsidies for qualifying incomes — the biggest discount available anywhere. Full coverage of pre-existing conditions with no exclusions. Medicaid is expanded in Illinois. These are not small advantages; for a lot of people they're decisive.
Where private plans are better
Price, for healthy people above the subsidy line — often 30–50% less. National PPO networks on Cigna, Aetna and PHCS PPO versus local HMOs. Year-round enrollment. Month-to-month flexibility.
Where private plans are worse
Underwriting: you can be declined or have a condition excluded. No subsidies, ever. Some plans have caps on specific services — read the summary of benefits. 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.
The rule we use
Subsidy → Obamacare. No subsidy + healthy → private, after we check your doctors are in the network. No subsidy + serious condition → Obamacare at full price, and we'll help you find the best one. Illinois has no state individual mandate.
Want both numbers for your situation? Check your options.