December 23, 2025

Given the horrendous uncertainty about ACA Marketplace plans, we at CCHCC wanted to provide you with some important updates. These updates are for individuals and families who get their health insurance through the Marketplace.
 
1. Illinois residents should now be shopping for health insurance Marketplace plans at Get Covered Illinois!
The state of IL is now running its own Marketplace, and is no longer using the federal Marketplace known as Healthcare.gov. Illinois residents who are shopping for Marketplace plans will now shop at https://getcovered.illinois.gov/
 
2. Congress has failed to extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits that helped make Marketplace plans more affordable for millions of Americans.
Unfortunately, both the House and the Senate failed to pass legislation that would extend the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits for ACA Marketplace plans. And Speaker of the House Mike Johnson sent the House members home early, so no vote is expected any time soon.

These Enhanced Premium Tax Credits first went into effect in 2021, and they helped increase enrollment in Marketplace plans from 11 million Americans to over 24 million Americans. That’s how helpful this form of financial assistance has been!

CCHCC will continue to join with local, state, and national organizations from across the country to continue to advocate for the passage of legislation to extend these tax credits. We will keep you update on any developments in the new year.
 
3. Premium tax credits ARE still available for Marketplace plans, depending on enrollees’ incomes.
Some people will STILL benefit from the standard Premium Tax Credits, even though the Enhanced credits were not extended. It still worth shopping around to see what you might be eligible for.
 
4. It is STILL worth shopping for Marketplace plans to see what is available. Amazingly, some Gold plans in our area are extremely affordable.
Much to our amazement, we have seen that some Gold plans are extremely affordable, depending on people’s incomes. So, if you are shopping for a Marketplace plan, please be sure to look at ALL the metal tiers of coverage. Many Silver plans are exceedingly expensive (because the government subsidies for those specific plans have gone away), but even if a Silver plan is very expensive, it does not mean that a Gold plan will be.
 
5. If you had a Marketplace plan in 2025 through Healthcare.gov, you MIGHT have been automatically enrolled in a new plan on Get Covered Illinois!
You need to check whether or not you have been automatically enrolled into a plan, and if so, you need to make sure it is a plan that works for you.
 
If you are unsure, you can contact us at cchcc@cchcc-il.org, or call and leave a voicemail at 217-352-6533.
 
But please be aware that we are not fully staffed during the holidays, so we will get back to you as soon as we can.

6. Marketplace Open Enrollment ends on January 15, 2026.
You still have time to shop for a plan on the Get Covered IL Marketplace. If you need help, please reach out to us and schedule an appointment with us. Do NOT wait until the last minute, please.
 
7. If you have already proactively chosen your plan on Get Covered Illinois, and you want your plan to start on January 1, make sure to pay your premium by January 1!
If you have not proactively chosen your new plan and checked the premium, it’s important to check so you are not surprised by a different premium or enrolled in something you do not want. Without the enhanced tax credits, some premiums will be very different!
 
Stay tuned to CCHCC for future developments and information you can use!

Support CCHCC!

Sincerely,
Champaign County Health Care Consumers