Illinois Medicaid & Redetermination

Medicaid members! Don't risk losing your health insurance. Please update your address with Illinois Medicaid. It's easy, fast, and free: Call 800.843.6154 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or visit medicaid.illinois.gov. If you use a TTY, call 1.866.324.5553.

¡Miembros de Medicaid! No se arriesguen a perder su seguro médico. Actualicen su dirección en Medicaid de Illinois. Es fácil, rápido y gratuito: llame al 800.843.6154 de 8:30 a. m. a 5 p. m. o visite medicaid.illinois.gov. Si usa TTY, llame al 1.866.324.5553.


Most people covered by Medicaid in the Chicago metro area must select (or be auto-enrolled into) a Medicaid managed care plan. If you want your child to receive services at Lurie Children's, please make sure to select a plan that includes Lurie Children's.

The following Medicaid plans currently include Lurie Children's and accept patients up to age 19:

  • Aetna Better Health
  • Blue Cross Community Family Health Plan
  • CountyCare
  • Meridian Health Plan
  • Molina Healthcare
  • YouthCare

NOTE: Even though we are in these plans, please be sure to check with your Primary Care Provider to make sure they make referrals to Lurie Children's.

This page lists only a few of the health plans we accept. Learn more about all of the insurance plans Lurie Children's accepts.

What Should I Do If I Am Already Enrolled in a Medicaid Plan, and I Received a Letter from the State Asking If I Want to Change My Plan?

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will send letters once a year, giving those insured by Medicaid the option to change plans. This is called your annual open enrollment period.

If you are enrolled in a plan that is meeting your needs, you do not have to do anything. You will remain in that Medicaid plan for another year.

If you want to change plans, you should call the State's Client Enrollment Services at 877.912.8880 or visit their enrollment website.

What Should I Do If I Want to Sign My Child up for Medicaid for the First Time?

You may apply online for Illinois Medicaid benefits. You may also apply by completing an application form or by visiting your local Family Community Resource Center. To find a center near you, use the DHS Office Locator.

Who Can I Speak with If I Have Questions?

If you have any questions and/or are ready to choose a plan, you can call Illinois HFS Client Enrollment Services at 877.912.8880.

If you have any questions for Lurie Children's, please call 312.227.1230 or stop by the Patient Services Office or Pederson Family Learning Center on the 12th floor of the main hospital.

What Is Redetermination?

Redetermination is a review of a recipient’s eligibility for Medicaid and All Kids. Redetermination requires you to return a renew annually online or by returning the renewal form to see if you still qualify for a medical card.

You will receive an initial letter from the State telling you that your redetermination form is on the way. Then, about two weeks later, you will receive the actual redetermination form in the mail. Please pay close attention to the due date, and make sure you return it on time.

If you don't return the renewal form by the due date, your child's medical card will be canceled.

What to Do if Your Child's Medical Card Has Been Canceled

If your child's medical card has been canceled, it is possible that:

  1. You did not receive a form in the mail to renew coverage for Medicaid.
  2. You received the redetermination (renewal) form, but you:
    a. Did not return the form.
    b. Did not return the required documents – such as proof of income or proof of Illinois residency.
  3. You sent the redetermination (renewal) form back but were not approved to renew your child's medical card.

Depending on what caused your child's medical card to be canceled, there may be ways to restore it or find alternative forms of health insurance. To learn what you should do next, find the scenario below that matches your situation.

  1. If you did not return the redetermination (renewal) form or did not renew online, and:
    • You still have the form: Call Illinois Medicaid at 1.800.843.6154 and ask for more time to return the form.
    • You do not have the form or did not renew online: Call Illinois Medicaid at 1.800.843.6154 and ask for a new form.
    • You missed the deadline to submit the form: You may have to re-apply for your child's medical card. You may also need to re-apply for yourself or other family members. To re-apply, visit https://abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/ or contact your HFS caseworker.
  1. If you sent the redetermination (renewal) form back or renewed online but were not approved to have a medical card:
    • Contact your HFS caseworker and ask why your child's medical card was not renewed.
    • If you disagree with the decision to cancel your child's medical card, you may request an appeal by calling 1.800.843.6154 or 1.866.324.5553 TTY.
  1. If your child's medical card was canceled due to a change in your income:
    • Visit www.getcoveredillinois.gov or call 1.866.311.1119 to find out what other health insurance options you may have. Health navigators are available to help answer questions and help you apply for other low-cost insurance options.
  1. If none of the reasons above are why you lost your medical card, do one of the following:
    • Call Care Advisors, a Lurie Children’s partner, at 312.210.9787 to assist with Medicaid renewal.
    • Call Lurie Children's Patient Financial Services at 312.227.1230. You may be eligible for financial assistance.
    • Visit a Lurie Children’s Financial Services team member at 225 E. Chicago Avenue, 12th Floor, Room 322.

Cost Estimate Tool

Lurie Children’s understands that pricing for healthcare services can be complicated based on insurance coverage and specific plan details. We provide a cost estimation tool for our patient families to use. For any questions regarding estimates, please call 312.227.1333.