Neither Cigna nor Aetna sells 2026 ACA marketplace plans in Illinois; the insurers that do are Ambetter, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, MercyCare, Molina Healthcare, Oscar and UnitedHealthcare. The right choice depends on your income, which doctors and hospitals you need in-network, and your prescription medications — not which carrier has the better logo.
2026 marketplace check, Illinois: Cigna – no plans. Aetna – no plans. Source: Get Covered Illinois’s 2026 insurer list.
Cigna isn’t among the insurers selling 2026 plans on Get Covered Illinois.
Aetna (CVS Health) left the ACA individual marketplace in every state at the end of 2025, so there is no Aetna marketplace plan to buy in Illinois for 2026. Aetna still sells employer group coverage.
Looking for Cigna Global? That is Cigna’s international health insurance for people living or working abroad. It isn’t sold on Get Covered Illinois and isn’t an ACA marketplace plan; this page is about Cigna’s U.S. plans.
| Cigna | Aetna | |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 marketplace plans in Illinois | No | No |
| Parent company | The Cigna Group | CVS Health |
| Plan type | National carrier with employer-market roots | National carrier with pharmacy integration |
| Known for | strong behavioral health coverage, international travel coverage, wellness programs | broad pharmacy integration through CVS, strong customer service scores |
| Watch for | No 2026 marketplace plans in Illinois | No 2026 marketplace plans in Illinois |
Cigna vs Aetna in Illinois
In Illinois, marketplace plans are sold through Get Covered Illinois, and neither carrier is on it for 2026. Plan availability, networks, and premiums vary significantly by county and ZIP code across Illinois — what is available in Chicago, Springfield, and Rockford is not necessarily available in smaller or rural parts of the state.
The most important thing to understand about comparing any two marketplace carriers: premium is not the same as cost. A plan with a lower monthly premium may have a higher deductible, narrower network, or worse formulary coverage for your medications — resulting in higher total annual spending than a plan that cost more per month.
About Cigna in Illinois
Cigna is primarily known for employer group plans; their marketplace ACA presence is a complement to their larger commercial business. Cigna isn’t among the insurers selling 2026 plans on Get Covered Illinois.
Prescriptions: Cigna uses Express Scripts (subsidiary) for pharmacy benefits management. Check your specific drugs on their formulary.
Best for: Not an option on the Illinois marketplace in 2026. Enter your ZIP code below and Daniel will compare the insurers that are.
About Aetna in Illinois
Aetna is backed by CVS Health, which also operates prescription benefit management (Caremark) and retail pharmacy. Aetna (CVS Health) left the ACA individual marketplace in every state at the end of 2025, so there is no Aetna marketplace plan to buy in Illinois for 2026. Aetna still sells employer group coverage. Aetna's CVS Health integration gives members access to MinuteClinic locations for routine care.
Prescriptions: Aetna plans often feature preferred pricing for CVS pharmacy locations. Check if your prescriptions are on the Aetna formulary at an acceptable tier.
Best for: Not an option on the Illinois marketplace in 2026. Enter your ZIP code below and Daniel will compare the insurers that are.
How to Choose Between the Two
Neither carrier sells 2026 marketplace plans in Illinois, so compare the insurers that do: Ambetter, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, MercyCare, Molina Healthcare, Oscar and UnitedHealthcare. Compare their after-subsidy premiums, network coverage for your specific doctors, and formulary coverage for your prescriptions before deciding.
If you qualify for ACA subsidies: Compare after-subsidy costs: the cheaper-looking plan before subsidies may not be cheapest after your premium tax credit is applied.
If you are paying full unsubsidized cost: At full unsubsidized cost, total annual cost (premium + expected out-of-pocket) determines value. Consider deductible, OOP max, and network breadth.
What to Check Before You Choose
Before selecting either plan, do these four checks using each carrier’s provider directory and formulary tool:
- Doctor check: Search for your primary care physician and any specialists you see regularly in each carrier’s Illinois provider directory. Networks can be narrow, and a doctor who is in-network with one carrier may not be with the other.
- Hospital check: Confirm the hospital you would go to for a planned procedure or emergency is in-network. Hospital network participation differs from physician network participation.
- Drug formulary check: Look up every prescription you take in the formulary for each plan you are considering. Note the tier and the cost-sharing for each. Small formulary differences can result in hundreds of dollars in annual cost difference.
- After-subsidy premium: If you qualify for a premium tax credit, enter your income and household size at Get Covered Illinois to see the after-subsidy premium for each plan. The after-subsidy number is what you actually pay.
This state has expanded Medicaid. Buyers with income below approximately $21,600/year (single adult) may qualify for free Medicaid coverage instead of a marketplace plan.
An independent broker completes all four checks at no cost to you. Call (713) 575-9904 for a free Cigna vs Aetna comparison for your Illinois ZIP code.