Medicare Advantage at Northwestern Medicine.
Which Medicare Advantage plans work with Northwestern, how Medigap and Original Medicare access compares, and our advisor's tips on choosing a plan that keeps your Northwestern providers in-network.
About Northwestern Medicine
Founded in 1859 (Northwestern Memorial Hospital) and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Northwestern operates across Illinois. Top 15 hospital nationally; #1 in Illinois, with national strength in cardiology, oncology, neurology, urology, and orthopedics.
Medicare Advantage carriers that contract with Northwestern
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Humana, UnitedHealthcare/AARP, Aetna, Cigna.
Northwestern is in-network with most major Chicago Medicare Advantage plans. BCBS of Illinois and Humana have particularly broad Northwestern access.
Original Medicare with Medigap = full Northwestern access
If keeping Northwestern in-network is non-negotiable, the simplest path is Original Medicare (Parts A and B) plus a Medigap plan plus a standalone Part D plan. Medigap plans don't have networks — they pay out-of-pocket costs at any provider that accepts Medicare.
Northwestern accepts Medicare. So: Original Medicare + Medigap means you can see any Northwestern doctor, in any Northwestern hospital, with no referrals or pre-authorizations.
The trade-off: Medigap costs $100-$250/month (versus often $0 for Medicare Advantage), and standalone Part D adds $15-$70/month. But you get total provider freedom and predictable out-of-pocket costs.
How to verify your Northwestern doctor is in your Medicare Advantage plan
- Call the plan member services line with your doctor's full name and NPI number. Ask: "Is Dr. [Name], NPI [#####], in-network for [plan name] for 2027?"
- Check the plan's online provider directory. Search by full name. Verify the address matches your Northwestern location.
- Call your Northwestern doctor's office. Ask the receptionist which Medicare Advantage plans they accept. Verify both that the practice is in-network and that the specific physician is in-network — they're sometimes different.
- If you have specialists, repeat for each one. Network status varies physician-by-physician within the same hospital system.
Free 14-minute Medicare review.
A licensed advisor reviews your specific Northwestern providers, your prescriptions, and finds the Medicare Advantage or Medigap option that keeps your care in-network. Free, no obligation.
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