Illinois Medicaid: coverage, eligibility, and how to apply

Last verified: June 2026

What is Illinois Medicaid, and who runs it?

Illinois Medicaid is the state's Medicaid program, formally called the Illinois Medical Assistance Program. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) administers the program. As of 2025, approximately 3.4 million Illinoisans are enrolled — roughly one in four state residents, per HFS enrollment data.

Illinois expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act in 2014. Adults ages 19–64 with household income at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify under the ACA expansion. Children are covered up to 318% FPL through the All Kids program — one of the highest children's income limits in the country. Pregnant women qualify up to 213% FPL under the Moms & Babies program.

Illinois has a history of broad public coverage that predates the ACA. The state operated an early CHIP-funded children's program and expanded adult coverage before federal expansion was available. That legacy shaped the program's current structure, which covers a wider income range than many other states.

How care is delivered: HealthChoice Illinois

Most Illinois Medicaid enrollees receive care through HealthChoice Illinois, the statewide managed care program that launched statewide in January 2018. HealthChoice Illinois brought together several prior managed care programs — the Family Health Plan/ACA Program, the Integrated Care Program, and the Long-Term Services and Supports Program — under a single coordinated structure. Per HFS, the program covers roughly 80% of all Medicaid beneficiaries through managed care plans.

Health plans currently participating in HealthChoice Illinois include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, CountyCare (Cook County only), Harmony Health Plan, IlliniCare Health Plan, Meridian Health, and Molina Healthcare of Illinois. When you enroll in Medicaid, you choose a health plan and a primary care provider (PCP). The enrollment portal is at enrollhfs.illinois.gov, or call the enrollment broker at 1-877-912-8880.

A separate track — HealthChoice Illinois LTSS — serves people who have both Medicare and Medicaid and need long-term services such as nursing home care, supportive living, or home-based waiver services. A Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE SNP) launched January 1, 2026, for seniors and people with disabilities who hold full Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

Applying through ABE: one application for multiple programs

Illinois uses the ABE (Application for Benefits Eligibility) portal at abe.illinois.gov. A single ABE application covers Medicaid, All Kids, SNAP, and cash assistance. Families do not need separate applications for each program — the system routes each member to the right coverage automatically. ABE also has a "Manage My Case" section where existing members can renew, report changes, and check benefit status.

Applications can also be submitted by phone at 1-800-843-6154 or in person at a local DHS (Department of Human Services) office. DHS handles intake for HFS medical programs statewide. Applications for children through All Kids can also be submitted through an All Kids Application Agent.

All Kids: Illinois's children's coverage program stands out nationally

All Kids is Illinois's name for CHIP-funded children's health coverage. Coverage extends to children up to 318% of the FPL, which is one of the broadest children's income eligibility thresholds in the United States. Per HFS, over 1.6 million Illinois children are enrolled in All Kids.

All Kids launched in 2006 under Governor Rod Blagojevich, positioning Illinois as one of the earliest states to attempt near-universal children's coverage before the ACA. The program accepts children regardless of immigration status — Illinois uses state funds to cover children who do not meet federal immigration requirements. This policy was confirmed by HFS and the National Academy for State Health Policy.

Coverage under All Kids includes doctor visits, hospital stays, dental care, vision care, prescription drugs, and immunizations. Premiums apply at higher income levels (above approximately 142% FPL) but are capped at $40–$80 per month per family at the highest tier.

Illinois Medicaid eligibility at a glance

Source: Illinois HFS; HHS 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines. All Kids accepts children regardless of immigration status using state funds.

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