Open Enrollment begins November 1. Find helpful tips for getting individual and family health insurance before it ends on January 15, 2025. Get step-by-step details, from comparing your options to finishing enrollment.
Still shopping for a 2024 plan after going through a life change? Review your options.
Why Is It Important to Get Health Insurance During Open Enrollment?
The Open Enrollment Period happens once a year, every year. It begins November 1 and ends January 15. Anyone can update or pick a new health insurance plan during this time. Having health insurance:
- Helps cover the costs when you get health care, from annual appointments to emergencies
- Allows you to stay up-to-date on preventive care so you may avoid bigger concerns later on
- Keeps your children and spouse covered if you decide to add them to your plan
If you miss the Open Enrollment deadline, you'll have to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period to enroll unless you go through a big life change that allows you to apply during Special Enrollment.
How to Get a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Plan During Open Enrollment
Understand your needs. Compare BCBSIL plans.
Our shopping platform makes it easy to compare the costs and coverage of plans you're eligible for. All plans offered through BCBSIL and the Health Insurance Marketplace meet Affordable Care Act (ACA) standards. Start shopping to understand which plan and metallic level may best fit you and your family.
Save your progress. Check your application status.
When you're shopping for health insurance coverage, create an account on our shopping platform. You'll be able to log in to pick your application up where you left off and, once your application's submitted, check its status.
Our shopping platform will prompt you to create an account once you start shopping.
Get ready for BCBSIL coverage.
So you've found a plan that matches your needs and budget — great! There are just a few more steps you'll need to take when you submit your application:
- Depending on your plan type, you may have to choose your primary care physician (PCP).
- Decide if you want to make your premium payment when you're submitting your application or later.
- Confirm the addresses of any dependents covered by your plan.
After you choose to enroll in your plan on our shopping platform, you'll automatically be taken through these steps.
Make sure your coverage starts as soon as possible.
Your monthly premium is the cost you pay to keep your coverage active. You'll need to pay your first premium before you can use your new plan's health coverage and benefits.
Assess Your Health Insurance Needs
Evaluate your coverage needs.
Do you have long-term prescriptions? Are there dependents that will be covered by your plan? Understanding your budget and the level of care you need is important to picking your right plan.
Know which plan to shop for. For example, HMO and POS plans let you rely on a primary care provider while PPO plans offer flexibiltiy when it comes to networks or referrals.
Understand the terminology.
- Subsidy, or premium tax credit: a credit that could help lower your monthly bill
- Dependent: A spouse, partner or child who you're able to cover by your plan
- Premium: The monthly amount owed to keep your coverage active
- Deductible: The amount you pay before your plan begins to cover costs
- Copay and coinsurance: The percentage (like 20%) or dollar amount (like $25) owed for care costs
Check our glossary for other common terms.
Research Available Health Plans
With BCBSIL, you may be eligible for the below plans:
- Blue Choice Preferred PPOSM
- MyBlue PlusSM
- BlueCare DirectSM
- Blue Precision HMOSM
Compare BCBSIL Plan Costs and Coverage
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Check each plan's provider network and primary care providers (PCP).
Check each plan's covered network and primary care providers (PCP) to make sure your doctors and specialists are in-network. This can help you save on health care bills. It also makes it easier to keep the health care providers you trust.
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Get help understanding BCBSIL health insurance options.
Want to talk with a health plan specialist about your health plan options? Have questions about enrolling?
Give us a call, we're here to help.
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Find out if you qualify for savings.
Based on your income and family size, you might qualify for a premium tax credit, also known as a subsidy, to get financial help. You could pay less each month without changing your level of health care coverage.
What to Do After Applying
- Make your first payment and set up Auto Bill Pay. Your coverage won't begin until your first premium's paid. Make your premium payment online and set up Auto Bill Pay to pay your monthly bills easily and on-time. Make a payment.
- Start using your member resources. Review your benefits, understand when you'll start receiving your member materials and sign up for your member account. After you apply, find out what's next.
Need a Plan After Open Enrollment?
If you've gone through a big life change, you might be able to enroll through the Special Enrollment Period.
Learn if your life event qualifies, how long you have to apply and what your next steps are during Special Enrollment.