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UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans Illinois 2027

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) | Last updated October 8, 2026

UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage plans in many Illinois counties for 2027, while the state’s plan count falls from 157 to 136 and HCSC cuts its Illinois Blue footprint from 100 counties to 7.

Nationally, UnitedHealthcare grows to 852 plans but exits about 140 counties and cuts 34 PPOs, so Illinois members should read their Annual Notice of Change. The Illinois average premium is about $7.11.

See UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans 2027 and Medicare Advantage plans Illinois 2027.

✔ Licensed across all 50 states
✔ Built on CMS 2027 data
✔ No-cost plan comparison

Key Highlights

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UHC plans vary by Illinois county.

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Illinois: 157 to 136 plans.

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HCSC: 100 to 7 Illinois counties.

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Nationally, the average 2027 Medicare Advantage premium is $12 a month, down from $14.37 (CMS).

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The Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Illinois 2027 at a Glance

157 to 136

Illinois MA plans.

$7.11

Average 2027 premium.

100 to 7

HCSC Illinois counties.

Many former BCBS of Illinois Medicare Advantage members will be shopping for 2027, and UnitedHealthcare is one of the larger insurers they will compare.

Benefits UnitedHealthcare Plans May Offer

UnitedHealthcare Plans May Include

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Hospital and medical coverage matching Original Medicare Part A and B

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Part D prescription drug coverage on most plans

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Routine dental, vision and hearing benefits

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Fitness programs and over-the-counter allowances

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Telehealth visits and care coordination programs

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A yearly out-of-pocket maximum on every plan

Benefits are not offered by every plan. They differ by plan and county and may change for 2027. Review the Evidence of Coverage for each plan before enrolling.

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans Illinois 2025 Understanding UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans in Illinois

What to Check for 2027

Key Takeaway

Read your UnitedHealthcare Annual Notice of Change and confirm your Illinois plan continues.

Keep an eye out: a non-renewal letter will arrive if your plan is ending. You stay covered through December 31, 2026. Taking no action sends you back to Original Medicare with no drug coverage.

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UnitedHealthcare Nationally for 2027

852 Plans

UnitedHealthcare nationally, up from 846.

About 140

Counties losing standard plans.

34 PPOs

Being cut.

UHC 2027 Change Detail
Total plans 852 (up from 846)
Counties exited About 140
State exit Wyoming
PPOs cut 34
SNPs added 40

How Medicare Advantage Works

Medicare Advantage, sometimes called Part C, lets you receive your Medicare benefits through a Medicare-approved private insurer. These plans cover everything Original Medicare Part A and Part B cover, with the exception of hospice care, which Original Medicare continues to pay for. Most also bundle Part D drug coverage, and many may tack on extras like routine dental, vision and hearing benefits.

In return, UnitedHealthcare plans generally rely on networks of doctors and hospitals and may require prior authorization or referrals for certain services. Unlike Original Medicare, every Medicare Advantage plan caps what you pay out of pocket each year for covered medical care. You continue to pay your Part B premium, along with the plan’s premium if there is one.

Feature HMO PPO
Out-of-network care Not covered except emergencies and urgent care Covered at a higher cost
Referrals for specialists Usually required Usually not required
Premiums Usually lower Usually higher
Out-of-pocket maximum In-network limit In-network limit plus a higher combined limit
Best for Lower costs, local care Flexibility, travel, keeping specific doctors

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans Illinois 2025 Comparing UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plans with Medicare Supplement Plans

Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage

Advantages

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Often a low or $0 premium

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A yearly out-of-pocket maximum

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Drug coverage usually included

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Dental, vision and hearing benefits may be included in many plans

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One card and one plan

Tradeoffs

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Networks; except for emergencies, HMOs require in-network care

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Prior authorization and referrals are common

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Copays add up if you use a lot of care

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Plans and networks can change every year

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Moving to Medigap later may involve health questions

UnitedHealthcare Drug Coverage for 2027

Part D drug coverage is included in most UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. Every plan has its own formulary, drug tiers and pharmacy network, and plans often charge less through mail order and at preferred pharmacies. In 2027, the Part D deductible on any plan can be as high as $700, and covered drugs have a $2,400 out-of-pocket cap.

Tier Typical Drugs Typical Cost
Tier 1 Preferred generics Lowest copay
Tier 2 Generics Low copay
Tier 3 Preferred brand-name drugs Moderate copay
Tier 4 Non-preferred drugs Higher copay or coinsurance
Tier 5 Specialty drugs Highest coinsurance

Each plan sets its own tiers. Review every plan’s formulary.

A drug you take may not be on a plan’s 2027 formulary, or it may come with a rule such as prior authorization. Even then, you have options:

If Your Drug Is Not Covered

1

Request a transition fill. During the first 90 days of a new plan or plan year, plans generally have to provide a temporary supply of a drug you already take, giving you time to change drugs or ask for an exception.

2

Talk to your doctor about other options. A covered drug from the same class could work just as well for less money.

3

Ask for a tiering or formulary exception. Your doctor sends a statement explaining why you need the drug or a lower copay. Plans have to decide within set time limits.

4

Challenge a denial. When the plan turns you down, you have the right to appeal through several levels of review.

See steps to appeal a Medicare Part D denial.

If Your Plan Is Ending

If your UnitedHealthcare plan is not being offered in your county for 2027, a non-renewal notice should have reached you in early October. Coverage does not end immediately; it runs through December 31, 2026, which gives you time to decide.

If Your Plan Is Ending

1

Review your non-renewal letter. It verifies that your plan is ending and lays out your choices.

2

Write down your doctors and drugs. Comparing replacement plans requires them.

3

Compare your 2027 plan choices. Look at networks, drug coverage and the out-of-pocket maximum, not only the premium.

4

Pick a plan by December 31 to avoid a gap. If you enroll during Annual Enrollment by December 7, your coverage starts January 1, 2027.

5

Rely on your Special Enrollment Period if necessary. If your plan is ending, you generally have until the end of February 2027 to make a choice.

If you take no action: on January 1, 2027, you go back to Original Medicare, and you will have no drug coverage unless you pick a Part D plan. Being without drug coverage may result in a late enrollment penalty.

Medigap rights: if your Medicare Advantage plan exits your area, you generally get a guaranteed issue right, lasting up to 63 days after your coverage ends, to purchase certain Medicare Supplement plans with no health questions.

How to Compare UnitedHealthcare Plans for 2027

How to Compare

1

Review your Annual Notice of Change. It spells out every 2027 change to the plan you have now.

2

Verify your doctors and hospitals. Make sure every provider is in the 2027 network, not only the 2026 network.

3

Review your prescriptions. Verify every drug, the tier it falls on and any step therapy or prior authorization rules.

4

Look at the full annual cost. Total up the premium, usual copays and drug costs, and review the out-of-pocket maximum.

5

Look at star ratings. Medicare scores plans on quality and service using a 1 to 5 star scale.

6

Sign up by December 7. Coverage under your new plan begins January 1, 2027.

2027 Enrollment Dates

Enrollment Period Dates What You Can Do
Annual Enrollment Period October 15 to December 7, 2026 Join, change or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan effective January 1, 2027
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment January 1 to March 31, 2027 In Medicare Advantage, you can change to another plan or go back to Original Medicare one time
Initial Enrollment Period 7 months around your 65th birthday month Sign up for Medicare and choose your first plan
Special Enrollment Periods Varies Switch plans after events such as a move, a loss of other coverage or your plan exiting your area

Annual Enrollment is when most people make changes. If you like your current plan, no action is needed; it renews on its own. Even so, review your Annual Notice of Change, since networks, premiums, copays and drug lists can all change on January 1.

Special Needs Plans

Special Needs Plans (SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans designed for particular groups. Their benefits, networks and drug lists are shaped around the members they serve, and many come with care coordinators. In 2027, SNPs are one of the few places large insurers are adding plans, even while cutting PPOs.

Type Who Qualifies What Is Different
Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) People with both Medicare and Medicaid Coordinates both programs; costs are often very low, with extra benefits
Chronic Condition SNP (C-SNP) People who have qualifying conditions like diabetes, heart failure or chronic lung disease Doctors, drugs and programs designed around the condition
Institutional SNP (I-SNP) People who live in a nursing home or need that level of care at home Care delivered where the member lives

Turning 65 in 2027

When you turn 65 in 2027, you get a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period: the three months before your birthday month, the birthday month itself and the three months that follow. If you sign up in the first three months, coverage begins on the first day of your birthday month.

Turning 65 Checklist

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Enroll in Part A and Part B, unless you have qualifying employer coverage and decide to postpone Part B

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Choose between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare plus Medigap

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Enroll in a drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drugs, to avoid a late Part D penalty

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If you go with Medigap, purchase during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Star Ratings

Each fall, Medicare gives every Medicare Advantage and Part D plan a rating of 1 to 5 stars, based on factors such as preventive care, how well chronic conditions are managed, member complaints, customer service and accuracy of drug pricing. You can see the ratings in Medicare Plan Finder.

Using Star Ratings

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Ratings of 4 stars or more are generally a good indicator of quality and service

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A special enrollment period lets you move into a five-star plan once during the year

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A new plan may not have a rating yet, and that alone isn’t a bad sign

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Ratings reflect the plan as a whole, not how well it covers your particular doctors and drugs

Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

Medicare Advantage Original Medicare + Medigap
Monthly premium Often low or $0 (2027 average $12, CMS) Higher; varies by plan letter, age and ZIP
Doctors Usually a network Any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare
Costs when you get care Copays and coinsurance up to a yearly maximum Low and predictable; on Plan G, little or nothing once the Part B deductible is met
Drug coverage Usually included Add a separate Part D plan
Dental, vision, hearing Many plans may include some coverage Not included
Changing later Every year during Annual Enrollment Health questions in most states once your Medigap Open Enrollment Period ends

Guaranteed issue: when your Medicare Advantage plan exits your area, you can generally purchase certain Medicare Supplement plans with no health questions asked, up until 63 days after that coverage ends.

Help Paying Medicare Costs

When your income and savings are limited, two programs can greatly lower your Medicare costs:

Medicare Savings Programs

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Run by your state Medicaid office

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May cover your Part B premium, and in some cases deductibles and coinsurance

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Income and asset limits vary by state

Extra Help (Part D)

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Run by Social Security

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Lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays

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Those enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program qualify automatically

If you qualify for both Medicare and full Medicaid, you may also be able to join a Dual Special Needs Plan. See help for low-income Part D beneficiaries.

Getting Help

You do not need to compare plans by yourself, and help should not cost you anything. Here are the free options:

Free Help Comparing Plans

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Available any time: Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov

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1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), reachable 24 hours a day on all seven days of the week

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Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free, unbiased counseling

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A licensed agent or insurance broker, who can compare plans across several insurers for free

Gather your Medicare card, a list of your drugs and doses, your doctors and your preferred pharmacies before you call. That way a long conversation becomes a quick one.

Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

UnitedHealthcare remains a major Illinois option for 2027. Compare its plans with others in your county during Annual Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, 2026.

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Does UnitedHealthcare offer Medicare Advantage plans in Illinois for 2027?

Yes, UnitedHealthcare offers Medicare Advantage plans in many Illinois counties for 2027, though plans vary by county. Enter your ZIP code on Medicare Plan Finder or UnitedHealthcare’s site to see which plans serve your area.

➤ How many Medicare Advantage plans are in Illinois for 2027?

Illinois has 136 Medicare Advantage plans for 2027, down from 157 in 2026. The average premium is about $7.11 a month. The plans available to you depend on your county, so search by ZIP code.

➤ Is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois leaving Medicare Advantage?

HCSC, parent of BCBS of Illinois, is cutting its Illinois Medicare Advantage footprint from 100 counties to 7 for 2027. Members whose plans end get a Special Enrollment Period and generally a guaranteed issue right to certain Medigap plans.

➤ Is UnitedHealthcare leaving any counties in 2027?

Yes. UnitedHealthcare is exiting about 140 counties nationally and leaving Wyoming for 2027, while growing to 852 plans overall. Read your Annual Notice of Change to confirm your Illinois plan and county continue. Members of non-renewing plans receive notices.

➤ Is UnitedHealthcare cutting PPOs in Illinois?

UnitedHealthcare is cutting 34 PPO plans nationally for 2027. Whether an Illinois PPO is affected depends on your plan and county, so check your Annual Notice of Change or non-renewal letter carefully. A PPO that ends may be replaced with an HMO.

➤ Can former BCBS of Illinois members switch to UnitedHealthcare?

Yes, if UnitedHealthcare offers a plan in their county. Members of non-renewing plans get a Special Enrollment Period and can also use Annual Enrollment from October 15 to December 7, 2026. Confirm doctors and drugs first.

➤ What benefits might UnitedHealthcare Illinois plans include?

UnitedHealthcare plans may include drug coverage, dental, vision, hearing, fitness or over-the-counter benefits. Benefits vary by plan and county, and not all plans offer all benefits, so read the plan summary. Read the plan summary and Evidence of Coverage for your county before enrolling.

➤ Does UnitedHealthcare offer special needs plans in Illinois?

UnitedHealthcare is adding 40 special needs plans nationally for 2027. Whether a D-SNP or C-SNP serves your Illinois county depends on your ZIP code, so search Medicare Plan Finder and filter for special needs plans.

➤ Where can I get free Medicare help in Illinois?

The Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Counselors can compare UnitedHealthcare and other Illinois plans with you, and a licensed broker can check networks at no cost. Former BCBS of Illinois members should call early.

Have Questions?

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938

TTY users 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-833-641-4938TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company

( Medicare Expert )

Russell Noga is the CEO of ZRN Health & Financial Services, and head content editor of several Medicare insurance online publications. He has over 15 years of experience as a licensed Medicare insurance broker helping Medicare beneficiaries learn about Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medigap insurance, and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

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