CountyCare Earns Four-Star Rating for Third Year

Chicago, IL, Sept. 17, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- CountyCare, the largest Medicaid managed care plan in Cook County, has earned a four-star rating for 2026-2027, making it the highest-rated Medicaid health plan in Illinois for the third consecutive year. Operated by Cook County Health, CountyCare covers nearly 380,000 members across the county. Nationally, only 27 percent of all Medicaid plans received a four-star rating or higher this year.

The plan excelled in several areas, earning five stars for member satisfaction and four stars for members' overall healthcare experience and efforts to promote preventive care and population health. These scores represent an increase from last year, reflecting CountyCare's ongoing commitment to improving the quality of care for its members.

"As a public health plan operated by Cook County Health, its focus has always been on the people it serves, connecting members to quality care, addressing barriers to health, and putting their needs first. That mission is especially important as significant changes to Medicaid threaten to make coverage more difficult to access and maintain. Cook County will continue to stand behind CountyCare and the residents who depend on it."

CountyCare operates a robust network of more than 90 hospitals, 175 urgent and immediate care locations, and 36,600 primary care providers and specialists across Cook County. The plan offers a wide range of benefits, including incentives for expecting parents and transportation assistance for all members. As the largest Medicaid managed care plan in Cook County, CountyCare plays a crucial role in providing healthcare to a significant portion of the population.

Erik Mikaitis, M.D., chief executive officer of Cook County Health, emphasized the importance of this recognition. "Three consecutive years as Illinois' highest-rated Medicaid plans reflects more than strong performance. It reflects CountyCare's mission and commitment to members," he said. "Our NCQA rating emphasizes our foundational model that places the member at the center of everything we do. As we face monumental changes to Medicaid over the next few months and years, CountyCare remains dedicated to providing quality healthcare coverage to the members who rely on us."

CountyCare recently earned Health Equity Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, earning a perfect score during review. This accreditation underscores the plan's commitment to equitable healthcare and its efforts to address health disparities among its members.

Cook County Health, one of the largest public health systems in the nation, serves as the safety net for health care in Chicago and suburban Cook County. Through the health system and the health plan, CountyCare cares for more than 600,000 individuals each year. While Cook County Health has evolved over the past 180 years, its mission remains the same: ensuring that all may live their healthiest life.