Hougom Insurance Agency

Insurance in Rockford · Winnebago County, Illinois

Insurance Coverage for Winnebago County, IL

Winnebago County is home to roughly 283,289 residents centered on Rockford, Illinois's third-largest 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, and business coverage, comparing multiple carriers so you're never stuck with one company's price.

Get a free local review →   (608) 799-8434

By the numbers · Winnebago County

Quick facts for Winnebago County Medicare

51,590Residents age 65 and older — the population Medicare primarily serves (U.S. Census ACS 2023)
9insurance carriers competing in the metro
23$0-premium Medicare Advantage plans available
4.5★highest CMS star rating offered locally

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 Winnebago County adults

The right Medicare plan depends on your health. Here's how common key conditions are locally (CDC PLACES, model-based prevalence among 280,922 adults) — a reason to check each plan's drug formulary and specialist network before you enroll.

High blood pressure 38.2%
Obesity 42%
Arthritis 29.3%
Diabetes 13.9%
Heart disease 7.3%

Source: CDC PLACES Local Data for Better Health (2023).

Plans & stability

Medicare Advantage plans in Winnebago 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.

PlanCarrierPremiumDrug deductibleCMS ratingStability
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★)
Humana Full Access H5216-412 (PPO) Humana $0 $400 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★)
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★)
Clear Spring Health BrightPath Advantage (HMO) Clear Spring Health $0 $200 3★ Below 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★)
Zing Choice IL (HMO) Zing Health $0 $0 2.5★ Below average (<3.5★)
Zing Elite Select IL-IN (HMO) Zing Health $0 $0 2.5★ 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
DEVOTED CHOICE 003 IL (PPO) Devoted Health $0 $385 Not yet rated
DEVOTED CHOICE GIVEBACK 004 IL (PPO) Devoted Health $0 $605 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 Winnebago 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
  • Devoted Health — 2 plans · PPO plans with a $0 or low deductible
  • Zing Health — 2 plans · $0-premium, $0-deductible HMO plans
  • Clear Spring Health — 2 plans · Group 1001-owned HMO
  • Molina Healthcare of Illinois — 1 plan · $0-premium, $0-deductible HMO

Where you get care

Hospitals & providers nearby

  • UW HealthRockford, IL · CMS 3★ hospital rating
  • Javon Bea HospitalRockford, IL · CMS 3★ hospital rating
  • Saint Anthony Medical CenterRockford, IL · CMS 2★ hospital rating

Plus roughly 40 family-medicine providers and 30 pharmacies in the Rockford area — check that yours are in-network before you enroll.

Sources: CMS Hospital Compare · NPPES NPI Registry.

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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 · Winnebago County

One agency, every line, right here in Winnebago County

Beyond Medicare, we write every other line of insurance for Rockford-area 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.

Explore individual health insurance →

Life, annuities & group benefits

Term and whole life, retirement-income annuities, and employer-sponsored group health, life, dental, and vision for Rockford-area businesses.

Life insurance →  ·  Annuities →  ·  Group benefits →

Home & auto

Homeowners and auto insurance for Winnebago County households, comparing multiple carriers so you get real options, not just one company's rates.

Homeowners →  ·  Auto →

Business & bonds

General liability, business owner's policies, and contractor license bonds for Winnebago County businesses.

Business insurance →  ·  Bonds →

Winnebago County insurance questions, answered

Does Hougom Insurance Agency serve Winnebago County, IL?

Yes. Hougom Insurance Agency is licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin and serves Winnebago County — including Rockford, Loves Park, and Machesney Park — for every line we write: Medicare, ACA/individual health, life insurance, annuities, group benefits, and home/auto/business coverage.

How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Rockford, IL for 2026?

For 2026, 30 Medicare Advantage and MA-PD plans are available in Winnebago County across 9 carriers, including 23 $0-premium options. The highest CMS star rating offered locally is 4.5★.

Which hospitals serve Winnebago County?

Rockford is home to three hospital systems: UW Health, Javon Bea Hospital (Mercyhealth), and Saint Anthony Medical Center (OSF HealthCare). Each Medicare Advantage plan has its own network built around one or more of these systems — we verify your specific doctors and preferred hospital are covered before you enroll.

Can you help a Winnebago County business with group health benefits?

Yes. We design and quote employer group health, life, dental, vision, and disability benefits for Rockford-area businesses, comparing fully-insured and level-funded options across multiple carriers to fit your team and budget.

What's the uninsured rate in Winnebago County?

An estimated 6.1% of Winnebago County's civilian population — about 17,147 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 Winnebago 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). Winnebago County borders Wisconsin directly at Beloit, 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 Winnebago County coverage

Free, no pressure — licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin.

Book a free consultation →   (608) 799-8434

Also serving: Jo Daviess County, IL · Stephenson County, IL · Boone County, IL · McHenry County, IL · Lake County, IL