Health Insurance Premiums Keep Rising in 2027: Why Rockford Patients Are Locking In Flat-Fee Primary Care Instead
By Dr. Syed M. Rizvi, board-certified internal medicine physician
As you review healthcare costs for 2027, it helps to separate two things: the cost of your health insurance and the cost of your everyday primary care. Insurance premiums and deductibles can make it harder to plan your household budget, but a direct primary care membership may give you a more predictable way to access routine care.
In Illinois, the Department of Insurance has posted proposed, not final, average rate changes for 2027 individual health plans. Meanwhile, Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. The dates matter, but so does understanding what each type of coverage does.
What Illinois’ proposed 2027 rates tell you
The Illinois Department of Insurance rate filings show initial proposed average rate changes for individual-market insurers:
| Insurer | Proposed average change |
|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois | 14.90% |
| Celtic Insurance Company | 9.20% |
| MercyCare HMO | 12.15% |
| Molina Healthcare of Illinois | 1.80% |
| Oscar Health Plan | 12.70% |
| UnitedHealthcare of Illinois | 12.35% |
These are insurer averages submitted for review. They are not final rates or a quote for your household. Your actual premium depends on the plan available in your area, your age, household details, and whether you qualify for financial assistance. A premium also tells you only part of the story: check each plan’s deductible, copayments, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, drug coverage, and provider network.
Illinois’ state marketplace also says Cigna and Molina plans will no longer be available through Get Covered Illinois starting January 1, 2027. If you have one of those plans, read notices from your insurer and the marketplace and choose a replacement during open enrollment.
Keep Medicare and ACA enrollment periods separate
If you have Medicare, the annual enrollment period from October 15 to December 7 is your opportunity to review coverage for the coming year. Depending on your current coverage, you may be able to change Medicare Advantage plans, change Part D drug plans, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Changes generally take effect January 1. Review your doctors, prescriptions, plan costs, and benefits using Medicare’s official Open Enrollment information and Plan Compare tool.
If you’re shopping for an individual ACA marketplace plan rather than Medicare, the 2027 enrollment period is scheduled for November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Check current dates and plan options through Get Covered Illinois, the state marketplace where Illinois residents can apply for marketplace financial assistance.
What direct primary care can, and can’t, do
Direct primary care (DPC) is a membership arrangement for specified primary-care services. Instead of paying a copay each time you have a covered visit, you pay a straightforward recurring fee for the primary care described in the membership.
At Rizvi MD Direct, individual membership for adults ages 18–64 is $75 per month. It includes primary care visits, an annual wellness exam, chronic disease management, telehealth access, and direct access to Dr. Rizvi. Members can request same-week appointments and longer consultations. The clinic also offers discounted labs and imaging, often 80–90% below retail pricing through its wholesale network. Specific services, tests, and costs depend on what you need, so ask the clinic what is included and what may be billed separately.
For some Rockford residents, DPC can complement a high-deductible or more basic health plan. Your plan may help protect you against eligible services outside routine primary care, while the membership gives you a predictable way to access everyday care. You’ll still need to check the plan’s rules, network, and costs, and make sure the combination fits your budget.
DPC is not health insurance. A primary-care membership does not replace coverage for emergencies, hospital stays, specialist care, major procedures, or other services outside the membership agreement. Do not cancel comprehensive coverage based on a DPC membership alone.
A practical checklist for comparing your options
Before you choose coverage or a primary-care arrangement for 2027:
- Compare total costs, not just premiums. Review the deductible, copays, coinsurance, prescription costs, and out-of-pocket maximum.
- Check the details that matter to you. Confirm your preferred doctors, pharmacies, medications, and local hospitals are covered by your insurance plan.
- Check eligibility for financial assistance. Marketplace tax credits can affect what you pay; confirm eligibility through Get Covered Illinois.
- Ask what a DPC fee includes. Get clear answers about visits, telehealth, after-hours access, labs, imaging, medications, and services outside primary care.
- Keep major-medical protection in place. A DPC membership can support access to primary care, but it does not cover the financial risk of an emergency or hospitalization.
- For Medicare, review your options by December 7. Compare next year’s plan costs, prescriptions, providers, and benefits before you make a change.
For a deeper introduction to how the model works, read our guide to direct primary care at Rizvi MD Direct.
How Rizvi MD Direct supports everyday care
Dr. Rizvi is a board-certified internal medicine physician who provides personalized primary care in Rockford. The clinic offers same-week appointments, extended consultations, telehealth access, chronic disease management, and transparent membership options. Discounted labs and imaging may help reduce the cost of certain tests, though those prices are separate from your insurance premium and can vary by service.
Medicare patients are welcome, and a membership is not required for Medicare visits at Rizvi MD Direct. The clinic bills Medicare directly. If you’re comparing Medicare plans, still review your coverage through Medicare and confirm how your plan applies to the care you receive.
Frequently asked questions
Is direct primary care a replacement for health insurance?
No. DPC is a membership for specified primary-care services, not comprehensive health insurance. Keep coverage for emergency, hospital, specialty, and other major medical care.
Can I use DPC with a high-deductible plan?
Many people consider DPC alongside a high-deductible or basic health plan to make routine primary care more predictable. Review your insurance and membership terms, and consider how the arrangement fits your coverage and budget.
What is the DPC membership fee at Rizvi MD Direct?
Individual membership for adults ages 18–64 starts at $75 per month. Children may be added with an adult membership, and a family plan is available. See current options on the Rizvi MD Direct website and confirm details with the clinic.
Do Medicare patients have to pay for a membership?
No membership is required for Medicare patients at Rizvi MD Direct. The clinic bills Medicare directly. Your coverage and any applicable cost-sharing depend on your Medicare benefits.
Get clear answers about your care options
Rising premiums can make planning feel complicated. You don’t have to sort through your primary-care options alone. Call Rizvi MD Direct at (779) 256-7075, or submit a message through the contact form. The clinic is located at 7210 E. State St., Suite 107, Rockford, IL 61108.
Ask about membership, Medicare visits, and which services are included. Your request is confidential, and there’s no spam, just a response from the clinic. If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.