Prairie State Wire

The Pritzker Administration has initiated a public awareness campaign to help Illinois residents maintain their health insurance coverage as pandemic-era protections come to an end. The initiative aims to prepare Medicaid customers for the resumption of eligibility verifications.

This effort, led by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), involves a comprehensive outreach strategy utilizing various media channels and grassroots efforts. The goal is to ensure that those who remain eligible can renew their coverage without interruption.

Governor JB Pritzker stated, "In Illinois, we're ensuring everyone has access to quality healthcare coverage—and one of the ways we are doing that is by spreading the word about the Medicaid renewal process." He emphasized the importance of informing all eligible residents about how to renew their coverage through multiple platforms.

HFS Director Theresa Eagleson highlighted the need for widespread cooperation: "We are doing everything we can to preserve coverage for everyone who is eligible. Historically, almost half the people who lose coverage did not respond to their renewal notice."

Since March 2020, Medicaid customers have not been required to renew their coverage. With continuous enrollment ending, annual eligibility verifications or "redeterminations" will resume. HFS encourages healthcare providers and community organizations to assist in preparing Medicaid customers for these renewals.

A Ready to Renew Toolkit has been developed in multiple languages, providing key messages and materials for those interacting with Medicaid customers. The most crucial step for customers is ensuring their current address is on file with Illinois Medicaid, as redetermination materials will be mailed out according to renewal dates.

Customers can manage their accounts through the Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) website at abe.illinois.gov or call 1-800-843-6154 for assistance. Renewal notices will begin arriving in early May for those due by June 1, with subsequent notices sent on a rolling basis over a year.

The state will not implement a one-time loss of coverage; instead, renewals will occur gradually. Those denied due to income changes may transition to other health plans or explore options via getcoveredillinois.gov.

Get Covered Illinois serves as the state's official Affordable Care Act marketplace, offering free enrollment assistance and information on financial aid eligibility. Individuals whose circumstances change after losing Medicaid are encouraged to reapply.

For additional details and resources such as the Ready to Renew toolkit, HFS has launched an information center at medicaid.illinois.gov.