Illinois Medicaid Application

The state-funded program provides health insurance coverage to more than 3 million participants in Illinois. With Medicaid growth in the country, an increase of 488,000 recently covered individuals were covered under the program.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states have established a threshold of 133 percent of the federal poverty level as the benchmark for supplying Medicaid coverage. States have the capacity to change this to the national guideline or over the threshold. The state of Illinois has chosen to stay consistent with the national average with respect to the poverty level.

When Medicaid was expanded in 2014, it started covering participants that were non-elderly adults. The Affordable Care Act was used to lower the quantity of uninsured individuals throughout the country by providing easy access to affordable health insurance.

What’s Covered Under Medicaid

• Birthing center services are provided to pregnant mothers once the time arrives to give birth.
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital services are provided to participants to get regular care.
• Dental and dental hygiene services are provided to persons the ability to find a dentist for routine care or surgical extractions.
• Podiatry, doctor, optometry, chiropractor, and psychologist services are offered under the Medicaid program.
• Prescription drugs are provided to provide participants inexpensive access to therapy.
• Products and apparatus covered include dentures, glasses, hearing aids, prosthetic and orthotic devices, and durable medical equipment.
• Ambulance and non-emergency transport services are provided to help participants reach clinics and hospitals.
• Diagnostic screenings, laboratory tests, x-rays, and case management services are covered under Medicaid in Illinois.
• Pregnant girls may also get involved in a tobacco cessation program so as to stop smoking.
• Home health and personal care companies provide participants with the capacity to get in-home care from a health professional.
• Hospice care is provided to people at the end of their own lives and in need of care, relaxation, and pain management services.

Who’s Covered Under Illinois Medicaid

• Kids under the age of 18 may qualify if their family income doesn’t exceed 142 percent of the federal poverty level.
• CHIP covers children under 18 whose family income is up to 313 percent of the federal poverty level.
• Pregnant women whose family income doesn’t exceed 208 percentage of the federal poverty level may qualify for coverage under Medicaid.
• Non-elderly adults whose family income doesn’t exceed 133 percent of the poverty level may be eligible for the Medicaid program.

Interested parties may use the nation’s site or healthcare.gov to apply for coverage. Also available is the ability for residents to apply locally in their neighborhood office to the Department of Human Services. Calls to DHS in 1-800-843-6154 are also another way for residents to get a mailed application for Medicaid benefits.

After the Medicaid Application

Following submittal of the program, residents could be forced to wait between 45 to 60 days in order for a decision to be reached. The DHS Helpline may be reached at 1-800-843-6154 if the resident wants to check on the status of their application.

Once submitted online, an application tracking number is provided in order to establish and monitor the program’s submission. Residents seeking to make changes following the submission of this program must contact the DHS Helpline.

For applicants that were denied since income guidelines were exceeded, programs are automatically forwarded to the national medical insurance marketplace. For applicants turned down due to a shortage of necessary information, the state allows 60 days for the return of the crucial information so as to reopen the case.

Every applicant has the right to a hearing if the decision provided wasn’t expected.

For individuals in the Illinois who need immediate medical insurance, applications can be obtained by telephone by calling 1-800-843-6154. Oftentimes, Medicaid coverage is offered retroactively for three months before the date of the program.

Throughout 2016, the national government will absorb the whole cost of Medicaid growth in Illinois. In the following years, the federal government’s percentage will dwindle to 90 percent upon reaching 2020.