Insurance in Stephenson County · Northwest Illinois
Insurance Coverage for Stephenson County, IL
Stephenson County is home to roughly 44,042 residents across Freeport, Lena, and Pearl City. Hougom Insurance Agency is a full-service independent agency licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin — we write every line here: Medicare, ACA/individual health, life insurance and annuities, group benefits, and home, auto, farm, and business coverage, comparing multiple carriers so you're never stuck with one company's price.
By the numbers · Stephenson County
Quick facts for Stephenson County Medicare
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2023, 5-Year Estimates) & CMS Medicare Advantage Landscape (PY2026).
Health profile · why coverage choice matters here
Chronic conditions among Stephenson County adults
The right Medicare plan depends on your health. Here's how common key conditions are locally (CDC PLACES, model-based prevalence among 43,105 adults) — a reason to check each plan's drug formulary and specialist network before you enroll.
Source: CDC PLACES Local Data for Better Health (2023).
Plans & stability
Medicare Advantage plans in Stephenson County (2026)
Representative MA-PD plans with drug coverage, by CMS star rating. "Stability" is each plan's published CMS Overall Star Rating — a federal quality measure, not our opinion. We never call a plan best or worst; we show the data and help you compare.
| Plan | Carrier | Premium | Drug deductible | CMS rating | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humana Full Access H7617-009 (PPO) | Humana | $0 | $400 | 4.5★ | Strong (4★+) |
| HumanaChoice H7617-018 (PPO) | Humana | $0 | $615 | 4.5★ | Strong (4★+) |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC IA-0002 (HMO-POS) | UnitedHealthcare | $45 | $520 | 4★ | Strong (4★+) |
| Humana Gold Plus H1468-007 (HMO) | Humana | $0 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| HumanaChoice H5216-251 (PPO) | Humana | $0 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Aetna Medicare Advantra Extra (PPO) | Aetna Medicare | $0 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Aetna Medicare Signature Extra (PPO) | Aetna Medicare | $0 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Humana Full Access H5216-412 (PPO) | Humana | $0 | $400 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| HumanaChoice H5216-283 (PPO) | Humana | $5.2 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Aetna Medicare Advantra (PPO) | Aetna Medicare | $36 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Humana Gold Choice H8145-006 (PFFS) | Humana | $37 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC IL-6 (PPO) | UnitedHealthcare | $45 | $600 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| HumanaChoice H5525-004 (PPO) | Humana | $60 | $615 | 3.5★ | Average (3.5★) |
| Aetna Medicare Signature (HMO-POS) | Aetna Medicare | $0 | $615 | 3★ | Below average (<3.5★) |
| Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Value (HMO) | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois | $0 | $450 | 3★ | Below average (<3.5★) |
| Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Essential (PPO) | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois | $0 | $450 | 3★ | Below average (<3.5★) |
| Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Health Choice (PPO) | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois | $0 | $615 | 3★ | Below average (<3.5★) |
| Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Dental Premier (PPO) | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois | $0 | $615 | 3★ | Below average (<3.5★) |
| Wellcare Simple Essential (HMO) | Wellcare | $0 | $615 | 3★ | Below average (<3.5★) |
| Wellcare Simple Essential Value (HMO) | Wellcare | $0 | $615 | 3★ | Below average (<3.5★) |
| Wellcare Giveback (HMO) | Wellcare | $0 | $615 | 3★ | Below average (<3.5★) |
| HumanaChoice R5361-002 (Regional PPO) | Humana | $103 | $615 | 3★ | Below average (<3.5★) |
| Aetna Medicare Signature Extra (HMO-POS) | Aetna Medicare | $0 | $615 | — | Not yet rated |
| Molina Medicare Choice Care (HMO) | Molina Healthcare of Illinois | $0 | $0 | — | Not yet rated |
| Clear Spring Health BrightPath Advantage (HMO) | Clear Spring Health | $0 | $200 | — | Not yet rated |
Source: CMS Medicare Advantage Landscape (PY2026). Premiums shown are consolidated monthly premiums; full plans vary — compare with the tool below.
Who covers you
Carriers in the Stephenson metro
- Humana — 9 plans · HMO, PPO, Regional PPO, and PFFS options, including two 4.5★ plans
- Aetna Medicare — 5 plans · CVS Health-owned; HMO-POS and PPO plans
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois — 4 plans · HCSC-owned; HMO and PPO plans
- Wellcare — 3 plans · Centene-owned; $0-premium HMO plans
- UnitedHealthcare — 2 plans · AARP-branded HMO-POS and PPO plans
- Molina Healthcare of Illinois — 1 plan · $0-premium, $0-deductible HMO
- Clear Spring Health — 1 plan · Group 1001-owned HMO
Where you get care
Hospitals & providers nearby
- FHN Memorial Hospital — Freeport, IL · CMS 3★ hospital rating
Plus roughly 6 family-medicine providers and 6 pharmacies in the Freeport area — check that yours are in-network before you enroll.
Sources: CMS Hospital Compare · NPPES NPI Registry.
This is educational information, not medical, legal, or insurance advice, and not a recommendation of any specific plan. Hougom Insurance Agency is a licensed independent insurance agency (NPN 20742808) and a Third-Party Marketing Organization (TPMO) under CMS guidelines — we are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to the plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for a complete list of options.
Everything we cover · Stephenson County
One agency, every line, right here in Stephenson County
Beyond Medicare, we write every other line of insurance for Stephenson County households and businesses. Each line below links to the full coverage details.
ACA & individual health
Marketplace plans, subsidy eligibility, and short-term coverage for households and the self-employed not on an employer plan.
Life, annuities & group benefits
Term and whole life, retirement-income annuities, and employer-sponsored group health, life, dental, and vision for local businesses.
Home, auto & farm
Homeowners, auto, and farm insurance for Stephenson County's farms and rural households — often bundled for savings.
Business & bonds
General liability, business owner's policies, and contractor license bonds for Stephenson County businesses.
Stephenson County insurance questions, answered
Does Hougom Insurance Agency serve Stephenson County, IL?
Yes. Hougom Insurance Agency is licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin and serves Stephenson County — including Freeport, Lena, and Pearl City — for every line we write: Medicare, ACA/individual health, life insurance, annuities, group benefits, and home/auto/farm/business coverage.
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Stephenson County for 2026?
For 2026, 25 Medicare Advantage and MA-PD plans are available in Stephenson County across 7 carriers, including 20 $0-premium options. The highest CMS star rating offered locally is 4.5★.
Which hospital serves Stephenson County?
FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport is the county's primary hospital. Some residents also travel to Rockford, about 30 miles east, for specialty care not offered locally. Network participation still varies by specific Medicare Advantage plan — we confirm your doctors and preferred hospital are covered before you enroll.
Do you write farm and agricultural insurance in Stephenson County?
Yes. Stephenson County has a significant agricultural base, and we write farm insurance alongside homeowners, auto, and business coverage — often bundled for working farms that need both personal and commercial protection.
What's the uninsured rate in Stephenson County?
An estimated 5.2% of Stephenson County's civilian population — about 2,263 residents — was uninsured per the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey. We help close that gap by comparing ACA marketplace plans, including subsidy-eligible options, for Stephenson County households.
Are Wisconsin and Illinois Medigap rules the same?
No. Wisconsin uses its own state-standardized Medigap system (a required Basic Plan plus optional riders), while Illinois uses the national A–N letter plan system (Plan G, Plan N, and others). Stephenson County sits right on the border, so if you have family or property on both sides, we're licensed in both states and can explain how each state's rules apply to you.
Talk to a local advisor about Stephenson County coverage
Free, no pressure — licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Book a free consultation → (608) 799-8434
Also serving: Jo Daviess County, IL · Winnebago County, IL · Boone County, IL · McHenry County, IL · Lake County, IL