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Medicaid Coverage in Illinois

Medicaid is a federally and state-funded health insurance program designed to help out certain groups of needy individuals. Illinois offers a Medicaid program that, as of 2007 according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, has over 2 million enrolled.

  1. Qualified Populations

    • Illinois Medicaid only covers certain groups. They include pregnant women, the elderly (65 years of age and older), people with disabilities, people who are blind, children under 18 years of age, parents/caretakers of children under 18 years of age, and those with breast and cervical cancers.

    How to Qualify

    • Members of the qualified groups must meet certain income eligibility guidelines that are typically based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Eligibility for selected mothers and infants (under one year old), pregnant women, and those with breast and cervical cancers involves income no higher than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which calculated to $1,805 for singles and $2,428 for couples in 2010. Other parents and children (over one year old) may bring in no more than 133 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which calculated to $1,200 for singles and $1,615 for couples in 2010. There are no asset limits for these groups.

      Elderly, disabled and blind persons have the strictest Medicaid guidelines in Illinois, as they may bring in no more than 83 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. This calculated to approximately $739 for singles and $1,009 for couples in 2010. The elderly, disabled and blind also may have no more than $2,000 in assets if single or $3,000 in assets if married.

    Benefits

    • Illinois Medicaid is a comprehensive health care program that offers a range of health care services, including doctor visits, hospital visits, emergency care, mental health, family planning, and medical equipment and supplies. It also covers nursing home care, long-term care and dental benefits.

      Illinois Medicare also offers a complete prescription drug package that works on its own, and for the elderly and disabled, works with Medicare Part D, the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

    Medicare Savings Program

    • For elderly and disabled who are just above the eligibility guidelines, Medicaid also offers Medicare Savings Programs that can help with some of the costs of Medicare. Those with incomes below 135 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines can qualify for some degree of benefits.

    How to Apply

    • To apply for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program, you must do so in person at an Illinois Department of Human Services office. Those who are prevented from going into the office in person due to health reasons may submit an application through the mail.

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