Jane Dotson
Medicaid is a state-managed health coverage program that provides free or low-cost medical benefits to eligible low-income individuals. Each state has its own requirements and plans for Medicaid, and in Illinois, the program is known as Illinois Medicaid. Illinois Medicaid is associated with various organisations, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Aetna Medicaid Illinois, and UI Health. These organisations offer different plans and services to eligible Illinois residents, including vision and dental care, rides, pregnancy care, and more.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is Medicaid? | Affordable health coverage for Illinois residents |
| Who is eligible? | U.S. citizens, immigrants with permanent resident status for at least 5 years, and children of non-citizens |
| What does it cover? | Vision, dental, pregnancy care, weight management, rides to appointments, and more |
| How to apply | Check eligibility using the Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) tool |
| Scams | Illinois will never ask for money to renew or apply for Medicaid |
| Insurance providers | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Aetna Better Health of Illinois, UI Health |
| Contact | Illinois Medicaid: 800.843.6154; Illinois HFS Client Enrollment Services: 877.912.8880 |
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What You'll Learn
- Illinois Medicaid plans are offered by Aetna Better Health of Illinois, part of the CVS Health family
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois also offers two Medicaid plans: Blue Cross Community Health Plans and Blue Cross Community MMAI
- Illinois Medicaid covers vision, dental, pregnancy care, and weight management
- To be eligible for Medicaid, you must be a U.S. citizen or an immigrant with lawful permanent resident status for at least five years
- To keep your Medicaid benefits, be sure to update your address with Illinois Medicaid if you move
Illinois Medicaid plans are offered by Aetna Better Health of Illinois, part of the CVS Health family
Medicaid provides affordable health coverage to Illinois residents, including vision and dental care, pregnancy care, and help with managing weight. It also covers children from newborn to age 18 and their parents or caretaker relatives. To be eligible for Medicaid, you must be a U.S. citizen or an immigrant who has been living in the U.S. with lawful permanent resident status for at least five years. Refugees and asylees may also be eligible.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will send letters once a year, giving those insured by Medicaid the option to change plans. This is called the annual open enrollment period. To keep your Medicaid benefits, be sure to update your address if you move. You can do this by contacting the HFS or by visiting the ABE website.
In addition to Aetna, the state of Illinois has also contracted with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois to implement Medicaid in all counties. BCBSIL offers two plans: Blue Cross Community Health Plans and Blue Cross Community MMAI (Medicare-Medicaid Plan). MMAI combines Medicare and Medicaid funding to provide integrated, comprehensive care to benefit dual-eligible enrollees.
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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois also offers two Medicaid plans: Blue Cross Community Health Plans and Blue Cross Community MMAI
Medicaid is a health coverage program that provides affordable health insurance to Illinois residents. The program covers different population groups, including children, parents or caregivers of dependent children, pregnant women, and adults.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the state of Illinois have partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and other Managed Care Organizations to implement Medicaid across all counties in Illinois. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) offers two Medicaid plans: Blue Cross Community Health Plans and Blue Cross Community MMAI (Medicare-Medicaid Plan).
The Blue Cross Community Health Plans include a network of independently contracted providers, such as physicians, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, ancillary providers, and long-term services and support providers. These providers offer covered services to eligible members, including seniors, persons with disabilities, families, and children. The program also covers adults who qualify for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Medical Program under the Affordable Care Act.
The Blue Cross Community MMAI plan, on the other hand, is designed for individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. MMAI combines funding from both programs to provide integrated and comprehensive care for dual-eligible enrollees. This plan ensures timely access to medical care, including routine and preventive care, urgent care, and behavioral health services.
Both plans aim to improve the accessibility and availability of care for members while maintaining their independence. Individuals can enroll in either plan when specific criteria are met, and Medicaid waivers may also apply to eligible members.
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Illinois Medicaid covers vision, dental, pregnancy care, and weight management
Illinois Medicaid provides affordable health coverage to residents of Illinois. The term “Medicaid” is used to describe the health coverage programs managed by the State of Illinois. Within Illinois Medicaid, there are different coverage groups for different populations, including: All Kids, FamilyCare, ACA Adults, Moms & Babies, Former Foster Care, and AABD medical.
Vision
Vision services are covered under the All Kids program, which provides health coverage for children from newborn to age 18. Molina Healthcare, for example, partners with Avesis to provide covered vision services to Illinois Medicaid recipients.
Dental
Illinois Medicaid also provides dental coverage for eligible adults, children, and pregnant women. For instance, BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois includes Illinois Medicaid dental plans.
Pregnancy Care
Pregnant women are eligible for Illinois Medicaid regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. The Moms & Babies program provides coverage for services beginning up to three months before the application and throughout the pregnancy. It also covers the mother for up to 12 months after the baby is born. The program includes outpatient services like prenatal checkups, doctor visits, lab tests, prenatal vitamins, medicine, specialty medical care, eye care, dental care, mental health services, and transportation to medical appointments. Hospital services, including labor and delivery, are also covered under Moms & Babies.
Weight Management
Illinois Medicaid also offers a weight-loss benefit for active employees enrolled in a State of Illinois employee health plan. Requests for reimbursements for weight-loss programs must be submitted to the Department of Central Management Services within one year from the date of the receipt.
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To be eligible for Medicaid, you must be a U.S. citizen or an immigrant with lawful permanent resident status for at least five years
Illinois Medicaid provides affordable health coverage to residents of Illinois. The term “Medicaid” is used to describe the health coverage programs managed by the State of Illinois. There are different coverage groups for different populations, including All Kids, FamilyCare, ACA Adults, Moms & Babies, Former Foster Care, and AABD medical.
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) covers children and teens up to age 19. CHIP qualifications are different in every state and generally depend on income. In 2009, 29 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands chose to remove the five-year waiting period and cover lawfully residing children and/or pregnant women in CHIP. By 2011-12, 61.5% of immigrant children in states that extended eligibility had Medicaid or CHIP coverage, compared to 21.2% in states that did not.
In Illinois, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois have contracted with the state to implement Medicaid in all counties. BCBSIL offers two plans: Blue Cross Community Health Plans and Blue Cross Community MMAI (Medicare-Medicaid Plan). The Illinois Medicaid network includes independently contracted providers, such as physicians, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and ancillary providers, through which eligible members may obtain covered services.
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To keep your Medicaid benefits, be sure to update your address with Illinois Medicaid if you move
If you are a Medicaid member in Illinois, it is important to update your address with Illinois Medicaid if you move to keep receiving your benefits. Medicaid provides affordable health coverage to Illinois residents, including low-income individuals, children, and families. The program is managed by the State of Illinois and is sometimes referred to as "All Kids" or the "medical card."
To update your address, you can fill out a quick online form at medicaid.illinois.gov. This will ensure that you continue to receive important paperwork and information about your Medicaid coverage. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) requires all Medicaid members to keep their mailing addresses up to date.
By updating your address, you can also stay informed about any changes to your Medicaid plan. In Illinois, Medicaid is administered through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, which offers two plans: Blue Cross Community Health Plans and Blue Cross Community MMAI (Medicare-Medicaid Plan). These plans include a network of providers, such as physicians, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities, through which eligible members can obtain covered services.
It is important to note that failing to update your address may result in missing crucial paperwork and potentially losing your Medicaid coverage. The process of updating your address is fast, easy, and free, so be sure to take care of it as soon as possible if you move. Additionally, you can visit the HFS' Address Update Messaging Toolkit webpage for instructions in languages other than English.
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Frequently asked questions
Medicaid is a program that provides affordable health coverage to Illinois residents with low incomes.
Eligibility for Medicaid in Illinois depends on your status as a U.S. citizen or immigrant, your income, and whether you are a child under 19 or a pregnant woman.
You can apply for Illinois Medicaid by contacting Illinois HFS Client Enrollment Services at 877-912-8880 or by visiting getcoveredillinois.gov. You may also be able to apply through your state's Medicaid agency or the Health Insurance Marketplace.
