This booklet explains the Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) Medical programs. It should answer many of your questions about the programs and how they can help you.
HFS offers many different healthcare programs for the people of Illinois. Sometimes these programs are called Medicaid, All Kids, FamilyCare, Moms & Babies or HFS Medical Benefits.
Two state agencies work together to help Illinoisans get HFS Medical Program benefits. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services administers health insurance programs for children, pregnant women, and adults who are residents of Illinois. The Department of Human Services (DHS) helps by taking applications for medical benefits.
If you have any questions or need more information, call the DHS Helpline at 1-800-843-6154, Monday through Friday (except state holidays), between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Persons using a teletypewriter (TTY) can call 1-800-447-6404. The call is free.
HFS Medical Programs are for some people who need help getting and paying for medical care.
You can apply in person, by mail or by fax. You can also apply online for some programs.
To apply for medical benefits in person, go to your local DHS Family Community Resource Center (FCRC). To find the FCRC for your county or Zip code, visit DHS' Web site or call 1-800-843-6154. Persons using a teletypewriter (TTY) can call 1-800-447-6404. The call is free. A caseworker at your local DHS FCRC will ask you questions and enter your answers into a computer. When your caseworker is done, he or she will give you a computer printout with your answers on it and ask you to sign it. This is your application.
If you cannot stay for an interview, you may take a paper application to fill out at home and return it by mail, fax, or in person. You can also fill it out, sign it, and leave it at the FCRC. DHS will accept your application as long as it has your name, address and signature. DHS will send you a letter to let you know if they need more information.
Individuals and families, including persons who are age 65 or older, blind or who have a disability can download an application from the Illinois Healthcare Portal and mail, fax or take it to your local DHS Family Community Resource Center.
Pregnant women and families can also apply for medical benefits at certain medical facilities and clinics, online at the All Kids Web site, or through the mail. For more information, call the All Kids Hotline at 1-866-ALL-KIDS (1-866-255-5437). Persons using a teletypewriter (TTY) can call 1-877-204-1012. The call is free.
If you are a patient in a hospital, ask someone on the hospital staff to help you apply.
All your earned income and unearned income is reviewed when you apply for medical benefits. If you are age 65 or older, are blind or have a disability, your assets will also be reviewed. Earned income is wages from your job or profits from your business. Other money you get, like money from Social Security or a pension, is unearned income. Assets are the things you own, like money in a bank account or life insurance.
If you have too much income or assets to qualify for medical benefits, but you meet all other requirements, you may qualify for the medical benefits Spenddown Program. If you participate in the Spenddown Program, payment may be made for some of your medical care each month if you have medical bills that equal a certain amount. This amount is called your spenddown amount. You will receive a notice telling you the amount of your spenddown.
You may have the option of paying your spenddown amount directly to HFS. This is called Pay-in Spenddown. You will receive a notice telling you if you qualify to enroll in the Pay-in Spenddown option. See our Spenddown Program booklet for more information about spenddown.