Get Covered Illinois Extends Deadline for January 1 Coverage

Good news for Illinois residents shopping for health insurance: Get Covered Illinois has officially extended the deadline to enroll in a plan with a January 1, 2026 start date to December 31, 2025.

This extension gives consumers extra time to review their options, compare plans, and make changes all while avoiding a gap in coverage.

What Changed?

Originally, the deadline to enroll for January 1 coverage was December 15. Due to the number of plan and pricing changes this Open Enrollment Period, Illinois has extended that deadline to December 31.

This means:

• You have more time to enroll or switch plans

• Coverage can still begin January 1, 2026

• No Special Enrollment Period or qualifying life event is required

Why Shopping Matters This Year

Plan pricing looks different this year, so shopping really does pay off.

Many consumers are discovering that Gold plans are actually less expensive than Silver plans, while offering better coverage and lower out-of-pocket costs. If you were automatically re-enrolled, you may be missing out on better benefits for less money.

Taking a few minutes to review your options could lead to meaningful savings in 2026.

Key Deadlines to Know

• Enroll by December 31, 2025 → Coverage starts January 1, 2026

• Enroll by January 15, 2026 → Coverage starts February 1, 2026

If your current coverage ends December 31, enrolling by the extended deadline helps you avoid a lapse in coverage.

Already Applied or Enrolled? You Still Have Options

• You can edit your application, household information, or income details before enrolling

• If you’ve already enrolled, you can switch plans before Open Enrollment ends

• If you’ve paid your first premium, contact your insurance company to confirm refund options before making changes

• You can still add dependents before the January 15 deadline

Need Help?

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Licensed brokers and navigators are available to help you compare plans and enroll - schedule a call with one of our agents today.

If you’d like help reviewing your options or seeing whether switching plans could save you money, our team is happy to assist.

👉 Open Enrollment runs from November 1 through January 15
👉 Enroll by December 31 to start the new year covered