2026 Medicare Advantage Plans In Decatur, IL

From October 15-December 7, you have the opportunity to enroll in Medicare Advantage health and drug plans. If you enroll in a plan during this Annual Open Enrollment Period, that plan will begin on January 1, 2026.

Medicare Advantage has grown quickly in recent years — and we’re seeing that growth here in Decatur, too, with far more plan options available now than just a few years ago. In 2026, there are a total of 21 plans to choose from.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Medicare Advantage plan options in the Decatur, IL area.

Disclaimer: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 4 organizations which offer 41 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1‑800‑MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

Should I Switch to Medicare Advantage?

Before we get into the available Medicare Advantage options in Decatur, IL for 2026, you might be wondering if you should consider switching from your Medicare Supplement plan.

Consider Plan Choices

For 2026, we have 21 Medicare Advantage plans in Decatur. 

In the past, Medicare Advantage plan options in Decatur were limited, especially compared to metro areas such as Chicago. But now, we really do have plenty of competitive plan options to compare.

If you're in need of a $0 plan that comes with more out-of-pocket risk, we have plenty of companies to consider, which is very exciting.

Consider the Network

One of the most common concerns about Medicare Advantage plans are the network restrictions.

Medicare Advantage plans are network-based, meaning you need to see physicians that accept the plan. HMOs are the strictest and PPOs offer more flexibility.

As with any medical insurance product you have, always make sure your provider accepts it!

If you have a preferred doctor or hospital, your Sams/Hockaday agent can help you find out which Medicare Advantage plans include them — or you can look it up on Medicare’s website as well.

You Still Pay the Part B Premium

If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you should know you are still required to pay the Medicare Part B premium of $206.50 in 2026.

Some clients see the $0 premium feature of many Medicare Advantage plans and get excited, and while the Medicare Advantage plan may be $0 premium, you still have to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

Even though you are forfeiting your Original Medicare benefits in favor of a private Medicare Advantage plan, you still must pay that premium.

You may also come across Medicare Advantage plans that offer a Part B giveback. If that’s something you’re interested in, there are a few options available locally through Humana and Wellcare.

Just keep in mind — a plan with a Part B giveback isn’t always the lowest-cost option overall. 

Most Competitive 2026 Medicare Advantage Plans In Macon County, Illinois

In Macon county, we’re fortunate to have 21 Medicare Advantage plans available for 2026. There are several quality plans offered by Aetna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

After running several comparisons, there are a few plans that stand out.

Keep in mind our agents can run a customized plan comparison for you based on your prescriptions, providers, preferred pharmacy, and current health.

Aetna Medicare Signature (PPO)

Aetna has been a longstanding favorite among Medicare beneficiaries in Central Illinois, and 2026 will likely be no different. 

If you had the $0 Aetna premium plan in 2025 (Aetna Medicare Value (PPO)) and still want to keep a $0 premium, this plan may be an option to consider.

Some plan highlights for 2026:

• $0 monthly premium
• $0 health deductible
• $615 drug deductible
• $5,500 in-network out-of-pocket maximum ($10,100 combined)
• $0–$55 copay for in-network specialist visits

$50 urgent care copay; $130 ER copay

What’s Different in 2026?

Like many insurance companies facing rising costs and lower payments from the government this year, Aetna scaled back some of the benefits offered in their $0 premium plan in order to maintain that $0 premium for 2026. 

While the plan structure remains similar, a few key areas saw increased cost-sharing:

• Higher out-of-pocket maximums
• Higher hospital copays, including both inpatient and outpatient services
• Higher specialist, urgent care, and diagnostic imaging copays
• Slight increase in skilled nursing facility costs
• Higher drug deductible ($615 vs. $590 in 2025)
• Removal of limited meals benefit (2025 offered limited coverage; 2026 does not)
• Removal of comprehensive dental coverage, including restorative, endodontic, periodontal, prosthodontic, and oral surgery services (all of which were covered in 2025 at $0 in-network)

This makes the plan slightly leaner, but for many clients who prioritize a national PPO network, predictable copays, and strong medical coverage, it can still be a competitive choice for 2026.

Aetna Medicare Enhanced (PPO)

The Enhanced plan is Aetna’s way of keeping a more complete benefits package intact.

Aetna largely preserved — and in some cases improved — the benefits compared to last year. The trade-off is a small monthly premium, which helps offset rising healthcare costs while maintaining more generous coverage.

Some brief plan highlights for 2026:

• $37 monthly premium
• $0 health deductible
• $615 drug deductible
• $4,700 in-network out-of-pocket maximum (lower than the Signature plan’s OOP max)
• $10,100 combined in- and out-of-network maximum
• $0–$40 copay for in-network specialist visits (lower than the Signature PPO)
• $40 urgent care copay; $130 ER copay

• Comprehensive dental included, with coinsurance ranging from 20%–50% in-network
• Over the counter drug benefits (Signature offers none)

It’s a strong option for anyone who wants to keep access to comprehensive dental, enjoy lower copays for specialists and hospital care, and receive extra perks like OTC credits and meals after a hospital stay — all while still benefiting from the flexibility of a national PPO network.

HumanaChoice Giveback (PPO)

Humana is another long-time favorite for many Medicare beneficiaries in Central Illinois. 

But for 2026, Humana made several structural changes and now offers multiple plans that can look very similar at first glance — including a few mirrored options with only slight differences.

Because of that, it’s especially helpful to work with your Sams/Hockaday agent if you’re considering Humana this year. They can sort through those small but important differences and help you choose the best fit.

One plan that continues to stand out in popularity is the HumanaChoice Giveback (PPO).

Some brief plan highlights for 2026:

• $0 monthly premium
• $750 health deductible
• $615 drug deductible
• $4,500 in-network out-of-pocket maximum ($10,100 combined)
• $40 copay for in-network specialist visits‍
• $50 urgent care copay; $130 ER copay

What makes this plan special?

The standout feature is the Part B premium reduction, where the plan gives back $71 each month toward your Medicare Part B premium.

That’s meaningful savings over the course of a year and one of the main reasons this plan draws attention. However, a giveback alone doesn’t guarantee the lowest overall costs.

It’s still important to have your Sams/Hockaday agent run a personalized comparison — including your prescriptions, preferred pharmacy, and doctors — to see which plan truly offers the best savings and coverage for your specific needs.

Other Plan Types and Network Considerations for 2026

There are several other plan options available in Macon County for 2026, including both HMOs and PPOs. Many insurance companies are shifting more heavily toward HMOs right now because they’re having a harder time maintaining profitability with PPOs. 

For dual-eligible individuals, Illinois is also transitioning from the MMAI demonstration to new D-SNP plan structures in 2026, which is another factor shaping how carriers design their networks.

However, for most of our clients, PPOs tend to be easier to recommend simply because they offer broader provider networks and more flexibility.

That’s not to say an HMO can’t be the right fit — some individuals do very well on them. Just keep in mind that HMOs come with stricter networks, and you’ll need to make sure your doctors, specialists, preferred hospital, and pharmacy are all in-network.

As always, our licensed agents can run a personalized comparison for you, taking your prescriptions and providers into account.

Conclusion

While we highly recommend a Medicare Supplement to many of our clients, there are many fantastic plan options worth considering on the Medicare Advantage side for 2026 (in our opinion).

To find out which plan truly offers the best coverage and value for you, connect with your Sams/Hockaday agent for a customized comparison and expert guidance.