Chicago, IL, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recently awarded CountyCare a four-star rating for 2026-2027, making it the highest-rated Medicaid managed care plan in Illinois for the third consecutive year. CountyCare, operated by Cook County Health, covers nearly 380,000 members across Cook County. Nationally, only 27 percent of all Medicaid plans received a four-star rating or higher this year.
CountyCare earned five stars for members’ satisfaction with their health plan and in six additional report card areas. The plan also received four stars for members’ overall healthcare experience and for the plan’s efforts to promote preventive care and population health, increasing last year’s scores in both categories.
“CountyCare’s continued recognition is no coincidence,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “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.”
Recognized as the industry standard, NCQA releases annual report cards assessing commercial, Medicaid and Medicare health insurance plans in every state. It evaluates plan providers based on the quality of care that members receive, how satisfied members are with their care and the plans’ efforts to continue improving their offerings.
“Three consecutive years as Illinois’ highest-rated Medicaid plans reflects more than strong performance. It reflects CountyCare’s mission and commitment to members,” said Erik Mikaitis, M.D., chief executive officer of CCH. “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.”
As the largest Medicaid managed care plan in Cook County, CountyCare has a network of more than 90 hospitals, 175 urgent and immediate care locations and 36,600 primary care providers and specialists across Cook County. Members also have access to wide-ranging benefits, including incentives for expecting parents and transportation assistance for all members.
Aaron Galeener, CountyCare’s chief administrative officer, commended the CountyCare team for three consecutive years of first-rate performance and member satisfaction.
“This recognition belongs to the CountyCare team and reflects the trust our members place in us,” Galeener said. “Earning top marks year after year does not happen by chance. It comes from listening to our members, continually improving their experience and remaining focused on what they need to be healthy.”
CountyCare recently earned Health Equity Accreditation from NCQA, earning a perfect score during review.
To view CountyCare’s full NCQA report card, click here.
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About CountyCare
CountyCare is the largest Medicaid managed care plan in Cook County, covering nearly 380,000 residents. Owned and operated by Cook County Health, CountyCare offers primary care, dental and vision coverage, prescriptions and other health care benefits at no cost to its members. For the past three years, CountyCare has been the highest-rated Medicaid health plan in Illinois, earning a prestigious four-star overall rating and five stars for member satisfaction from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Learn more at www.countycare.com.
About Cook County Health
One of the largest public health systems in the nation, Cook County Health (CCH) serves as the safety net for health care in Chicago and suburban Cook County. CCH is comprised of John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital and Provident Hospital, a robust network of more than a dozen community health centers, the Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, Cermak Health Services – which provides health care to individuals at the Cook County Jail and the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center – the Cook County Department of Public Health and CountyCare, a Medicaid managed care health plan. Through the health system and the health plan, CCH cares for more than 600,000 individuals each year. While Cook County Health has evolved over the past 180 years, our mission remains the same: ensuring that all may live their healthiest life.
Tracy Lytwyn CountyCare, Cook County Health 312-864-1201 tracy.lytwyn@cookcountyhealth.org