More than 47,000 Illinois residents have lost their Medicaid coverage since Aug. 1, according to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
In the months ahead, hundreds of thousands more face losing their coverage.
That’s because for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic Medicaid recipients are being asked to provide proof of their eligibility.
The federal government had suspended that requirement in March 2020 as COVID-19 cases mounted — but now that requirement is back.
Prior to the pandemic, roughly 2.9 million Illinoisans were enrolled in Medicaid, but since then, another 1 million have been added to the rolls. For those people, this may be their first experience of having to renew their eligibility.
Below is information on renewing Medicaid coverage.
How to Update Your Personal Information:
Renewable forms for Medicaid will come in the mail, so people must ensure their phone number and address are updated with the state. Go to abe.illinois.gov or call 1-800-843-6154.
If You Lose Medicaid Coverage:
- Connect to coverage at your workplace or through the official Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace for Illinois: GetCoveredIllinois.gov.
- Community health centers can provide care to individuals regardless of ability to pay or immigration status: findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
How to Get Help Navigating Health Resources:
- Chicago and suburban Cook County residents can dial 211 to connect with a resource navigator in many languages. This includes resources for health care, food, housing, utility payment assistance, transportation, child care, employment, mental health services and more.
- Cook County Health has a financial assistance program called CareLink. Financial counselors can help people apply for CareLink, Medicaid, Medicare or an exchange health plan. Make an appointment with a counselor at 312-864-2224.
More information on the Medicaid renewal process can be found on the Cook County Health and Illinois Department of Human Services websites.
