If you live in Cook County, Illinois and are exploring Medicare Advantage (MA) for 2026, this guide gives you the must-knows—dates, plan types, how to compare costs, and where to get neutral, local help. It’s plain-English, skimmable, and sourced from CMS/Medicare.gov so you can trust the details.

Whether you need health insurance for yourself or your family, knowing when you can enroll is crucial. Here’s a simple breakdown of when and how you can sign up for coverage, whether through the ACA Marketplace, Medicare, Medicaid, or employer plans.