How to Obtain Free Health Insurance for Children in Illinois

The State of Illinois has a comprehensive health insurance program for children called All Kids. There are currently 1.3 million Illinois children enrolled in All Kids, and the state is working hard to get the remaining 250,000 uninsured children to join All Kids. All Kids is a means-based insurance plan, which means you pay premiums and co-pays (payments per visit) for your insurance based on your income and family size and is often completely free for larger families with lower incomes.

Instructions

• 1

  Calculate your total income. Make sure to include all income sources like pensions, disability payments and so forth. The premiums and co-pays each family is responsible for are calculated on a sliding scale based on income and family size, and as of 2010 the children 18 or below of a family of four earning less than $29,000 annually would be insured through All Kids for no charge. As income increases, families are expected to contribute more, up to $80 a month premium per child and up to $10 co-pays.

• 2

  Apply to All Kids. This can be done online or by mail or in person if you want to work with an All Kids application agent in your neighborhood or community. Look at the All Kids Application Agents Search website for the application.

• 3

  Pick your medical home. Your medical home is the doctor's office or clinic of your primary care physician where all your records will stay in one place and your doctor can get to know you as you see him over time. To find a health care provider that works with All Kids for your medical home, visit the Illinois Health Connect website in the Resources for complete listings and assistance.