Choosing the right health insurance plan for your family in 2025 can save you money and ensure you get the care you need. Here’s a quick overview of the best options in Illinois:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBSIL): Affordable Silver plans starting at $368/month. Offers PPO, HMO, and POS options with wide networks and added features like virtual visits and 24/7 nurse lines.
• Ambetter: Plans starting at $391/month with benefits like 24/7 virtual care, Walgreens discounts, and rewards programs. Great for budget-conscious families.
• Molina Healthcare: Expanding access with partnerships, offering wide networks and rewards for preventive care. Plans start at $400/month.
• Aetna CVS Health: Affordable options with $0 PCP visits, $3 generic drug copays, and access to MinuteClinics. Many families pay $10 or less after subsidies.

Quick Comparison

To choose the best plan, consider your family’s healthcare needs, budget, and preferred providers. Most Illinois residents qualify for subsidies, making coverage more affordable.

Ambetter Health Insurance Review 2024 | Pros and Cons

1. Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) provides family coverage through various plan options. Their Silver plans start at $368 per month, making them the most affordable in Illinois, though only about one-sixth of residents qualify for these rates .

For 2025, BCBSIL is introducing four network options designed to cater to different family needs and budgets:

The Blue Choice Preferred PPO offers a wide network, including major systems like Northwestern, Loyola, and Rush . With premiums between $368 and $929 per month, it’s a great fit for families needing specialist care without referrals or wanting out-of-network options.

The Blue Precision HMO focuses on affordability and coordinated care, requiring members to work through a Primary Care Physician . Its network includes facilities like Northwestern, Loyola, and the University of Illinois Chicago, making it ideal for families with consistent healthcare needs .

BCBSIL also provides added resources like virtual visits, a 24/7 nurseline, and cost estimator tools to help members manage their care .

For families in the Chicago area, the new MyBlue Plus POS plan replaces the previous Blue FocusCare HMO. It offers a mix of cost savings and provider flexibility, falling between HMO and PPO coverage . This plan is tailored for urban families looking for both affordability and choice.

BCBSIL remains one of the only two insurers in Illinois, alongside Aetna, to offer PPO plans – an important feature for families prioritizing flexibility in provider access . Next, we’ll take a closer look at Ambetter’s affordable family coverage options.

2. Ambetter Insurance Options

Ambetter of Illinois has expanded its coverage to 25 counties across the state, offering plans designed to fit various family needs and budgets. Their lineup includes Premier, Value, and Select plans, with each available in Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers.

Through a partnership with RUSH, Ambetter now offers access to 140 locations and 2,300 providers, including 500 Spanish-speaking specialists. This expanded network ensures families have access to a wide range of care options across the region.

Ambetter’s plans are packed with family-focused benefits. Beyond standard healthcare coverage, members enjoy perks like 24/7 virtual care, a nurse advice line, 20% discounts at Walgreens on health and wellness products, and the My Health Pays rewards program, which offers up to $500 annually .

Premier plans stand out by providing the largest network access and requiring no specialist referrals . Families in the Chicagoland area can also take advantage of same-day appointments and virtual visits through the RUSH network. To get the most out of their coverage, members are encouraged to regularly update their online accounts to confirm tax credit eligibility and maximize their benefits .

With its expanded provider options and exclusive member benefits, Ambetter positions itself as a strong choice for Illinois families looking for reliable healthcare coverage.

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3. Molina Healthcare Coverage

Molina Healthcare has broadened its reach in Illinois through a partnership with Advocate Health Care. This move strengthens its local network, offering expanded healthcare options for families in the Chicagoland area.

The network now includes 11 hospitals and 250+ care sites, with access to 6,300+ physicians and specialists and support from 11,000 nurses .

Molina provides care coordination services for adults and children dealing with chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes . These services offer personalized strategies to manage ongoing health challenges effectively.

"Promoting health equity is central to Molina’s mission. Now, Molina members will have the option to select from thousands more clinicians near their neighborhoods, increasing member choice and making it easier to access health care services."
– Matt Wolf, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Illinois

The Healthy Actions Program encourages families to stay on top of preventive care by offering rewards for completing wellness visits and screenings . Additionally, virtual care options and the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line provide families with guidance for making informed healthcare decisions, avoiding unnecessary emergency visits .

This network expansion is particularly important in Illinois, where 89 out of 102 counties face shortages of healthcare professionals . For families in these areas, the improved network and virtual care options offer much-needed access to quality healthcare services.

4. Aetna CVS Health Plans

Aetna CVS Health blends medical care with pharmacy access, focusing on affordability and convenience. Here’s a closer look at the key features and family-friendly benefits they offer:

These plans also include maternity, newborn, and pediatric care (including dental and vision), along with preventive services .

Aetna CVS Health provides access to a large network in Illinois, which includes doctors, specialists, hospitals, and MinuteClinic locations. Many clinics also offer online scheduling for added convenience .

For families watching their budgets, nearly 80% can find coverage for $10 or less per month after subsidies .

Extras like adult dental and vision benefits, plus a broad prescription program available through CVS pharmacies, make these plans even more appealing for families .

Plan Comparison: Benefits and Limitations

Evaluate how each plan fits your family’s healthcare needs and budget for 2025.

This section focuses on comparing plans to understand their cost and coverage tradeoffs. For instance, Ambetter Health offers a tiered structure that balances premiums with out-of-pocket costs. Families with fewer healthcare needs might lean toward Bronze plans, those seeking balanced coverage could consider Silver, and families with higher medical demands might find Gold plans more suitable .

All plans include essential health services such as emergency care, hospitalization, outpatient visits, maternity and pediatric care, mental health services, lab tests, prescriptions, rehabilitative care, and preventive services .

To make an informed decision, check 2025 estimates on HealthCare.gov. Use factors like income, family size, and healthcare needs to find a plan that balances affordability with the coverage your family requires . This comparison can help you pinpoint the best option for your situation.

Choosing Your Family Health Plan

After reviewing plan comparisons, the next step is finding the right fit for your family. Take a close look at your family’s healthcare needs – whether that’s pediatric care for young kids or specialized care and prescriptions for ongoing conditions.

Key financial considerations:

• Premium tax credits can help lower costs significantly. In the 2024 plan year, 92% of Marketplace users benefited from these credits, saving anywhere from $300 to $3,200 annually based on income .
• Network coverage is crucial. For example, BCBSIL offers a wide range of provider networks across Illinois .
• Cost-sharing structure is also important. Bronze plans often have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs, while Platinum plans come with higher premiums but cover more expenses .

Here’s a simple way to compare plans:

If someone in your family has a chronic condition, consider Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs). CarePlus will offer three C-SNP options in 2025 to address specific chronic health needs . Some providers, like Humana, may also include a Healthy Options allowance to help with essential expenses .

For additional savings, pair a high-deductible plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). This allows you to pay for eligible expenses with tax-free funds . By focusing on these factors, you can narrow down your choices and find the best plan for your family.

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