Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has initiated a campaign urging Medicaid users to update their addresses before the federal COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) concludes. This measure aims to prevent the loss of health insurance coverage as Medicaid customers will need to renew their coverage for the first time since the pandemic began. The PHE is currently scheduled to end in October.

HFS plans to distribute renewal paperwork to the addresses on file, posing a risk for those who have relocated without updating their information. To address this, HFS is collaborating with numerous local organizations across Illinois that serve Medicaid customers, utilizing their networks and expertise to reach individuals who may be affected.

Medicaid customers can update their addresses by calling the HFS hotline at 877-805-5312 or visiting http://www2.illinois.gov/hfs/address. Since March 2020, due to the continuous coverage provision enacted during the PHE, Medicaid customers have not been required to update their contact information.

In anticipation of the PHE's conclusion, HFS aims to maintain coverage for as many customers as possible while adhering to legal requirements and federally mandated timelines. The federal government might extend the PHE beyond October; if so, current procedures would continue without requiring updates from Medicaid users.

Other state agencies are participating in this effort alongside HFS. The Department on Aging collaborates with regional Area Agencies on Aging and local service providers, while the Department of Veterans' Affairs partners with organizations like the American Legion and VFWs. Additionally, the Illinois State Board of Education has provided school districts with messaging toolkits for outreach purposes related to free and reduced meals eligibility through Medicaid data.

Furthermore, departments such as Public Health and Human Services are also contributing by sharing information within their respective networks. Advocacy groups, nonprofits, local governments, and municipalities are encouraged to use these resources to help residents retain their Medicaid coverage.

Key messages from HFS include reminders for Medicaid users not to risk losing health insurance by ensuring that Illinois Medicaid has an updated address where mail can reliably reach them. Updating contact information is described as easy, fast, and free through available hotlines or online services.