Medicaid (Illinois HFS)
Last updated August 2026
Illinois expanded Medicaid, so adults 19 to 64 qualify on income alone up to 138 percent of the poverty line. Pregnant women reach 213 percent through the Moms and Babies program, with babies covered regardless of income when mom had Medicaid at birth. Children and pregnant women qualify regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
Apply at ABE (abe.illinois.gov), by phone at 1-800-843-6154, in person, or on paper, any day of the year. The state's own advice: apply even if unsure; there is no penalty for an unsuccessful application.
One caution on the state's own website: the income page still prints old dollar figures ($1,366 a month for one person). The 138 percent rule is what governs, and current dollars run higher, so do not screen yourself out from a stale chart. Let ABE run the real numbers.
Coverage comes through HealthChoice Illinois, the managed care program; compare and pick plans at enrollhfs.illinois.gov. One honest note for immigrant adults: the HBIA program for ages 42 to 64 ended July 1, 2025, and HBIS for seniors is closed to new enrollment. Kids and pregnant coverage continue regardless of status.
Renew annually; ABE's Manage My Case shows your date and handles online renewals, with help at 1-866-255-5437. Appeals get 60 days, with decisions within 90.
Phone 1-800-843-6154
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Adults 19-64 who are Illinois residents and U.S. citizens or have legal status, with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level
- Children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities have their own rules; one ABE application checks them all
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply at abe.illinois.gov, call 1-800-843-6154, or visit a Family Community Resource Center. Any day; no enrollment season.
- 2
Apply even if unsure; the state says there is no penalty for trying, and stale dollar charts understate today's limits.
- 3
Pregnant? Say so: the Moms and Babies limit is 213 percent of poverty, and status does not matter.
- 4
Once approved, pick your HealthChoice Illinois plan at enrollhfs.illinois.gov.
- 5
Track your renewal date in ABE's Manage My Case, and renew online when it comes: help at 1-866-255-5437.
- 6
Denied or cut? Appeal within 60 days at abe.illinois.gov/abe/access/appeals or 1-800-435-0774.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Who qualifies for Medicaid in Illinois?
Adults 19 to 64 to 138 percent of poverty, parents and caretakers to 138 percent, children to 147 percent (then All Kids), and pregnant women to 213 percent. Kids and pregnant women qualify regardless of immigration status.
The income chart says $1,366 a month. Is that right?
That figure on the state site is outdated. The 138 percent-of-poverty rule governs, and current dollar limits are higher. Apply and let ABE compute it; there is no penalty for applying.
Can immigrants get coverage?
Children and pregnant women, yes, regardless of status. The HBIA program for adults 42 to 64 ended July 2025, and HBIS for seniors 65+ is closed to new enrollment; current HBIS enrollees keep coverage.
What is HealthChoice Illinois?
The statewide managed care program most enrollees use. Compare and enroll in plans at enrollhfs.illinois.gov after approval.
How do renewals work?
Annually. ABE's Manage My Case shows your renewal date and supports online and automatic renewal; the renewal help line is 1-866-255-5437.
How do I appeal?
Within 60 days of the notice, online, by phone at 1-800-435-0774, email, fax, mail, or in person, with a decision within 90 days.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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