How to renew your Illinois Medicaid coverage

Last verified: June 2026

Illinois Medicaid renews annually for most enrollees

Illinois uses 12-month continuous eligibility for Medicaid. Most adults and children are not subject to mid-year redeterminations — coverage runs for a full 12-month period even if income or household circumstances change during that time. The redetermination (renewal) occurs once per year, at the end of the coverage period.

HFS sends a renewal notice approximately 10 months after your coverage start or last renewal date. The notice explains what information is needed and how to submit it. If you receive a paper notice, respond by the due date shown — failing to respond on time can result in coverage termination.

All Kids enrollees at the Share and Premium tiers receive similar notices. Per HFS, a child found eligible for All Kids Assist, Share, or Premium Level 1 receives 12 months of guaranteed coverage unless the child moves out of Illinois or turns 19.

Ex parte renewal: Illinois renews many members without requiring any action

Illinois uses ex parte renewal — an automated process in which HFS checks state data sources (tax records, wage files, and other state databases) to verify income before contacting the enrollee. If the data confirms continued eligibility, the renewal is completed automatically. The enrollee receives a notice that coverage was renewed.

Ex parte renewal reduces the number of people who lose coverage solely because they did not respond to a paperwork request. Per CMS guidance, states must attempt ex parte renewal before sending a renewal form to an enrollee. Illinois's ABE system is designed to pull from available data sources automatically.

If ex parte renewal cannot confirm eligibility — for example, because income records are unavailable or have changed — HFS sends a renewal packet asking for updated information. Respond promptly. If you disagree with a renewal decision, you have 60 days from the notice date to request a hearing.

Post-pandemic renewals: what Illinois did during the unwinding period

During the COVID-19 public health emergency (March 2020 through March 2023), federal rules prohibited states from terminating Medicaid coverage for most enrollees. Illinois, like all states, paused redeterminations. When the continuous enrollment requirement ended in April 2023, Illinois processed a large backlog of renewals over approximately 12 to 14 months — the "unwinding" period.

During Illinois's unwinding, some enrollees lost coverage due to outdated addresses, missing paperwork, or income changes that were not caught before termination. HFS and DHS made significant outreach efforts to contact enrollees and process renewals. If you believe your coverage was terminated incorrectly during 2023 or 2024, you can reapply through ABE or request a hearing.

The unwinding period is complete as of mid-2024. Illinois is now operating on standard annual redetermination cycles. If you were terminated during the unwinding and have since reapplied, coverage should restart from the new approval date.

What you must report between renewals

Even with 12-month continuous eligibility, certain changes must be reported to HFS or DHS within 10 days. Required reports include:

• Change of address — update through ABE Manage My Case or call 1-800-843-6154
• Moving out of Illinois — coverage ends; you must apply in your new state
• A household member gains employer-sponsored insurance that covers the entire family at affordable cost
• Income increase that may affect eligibility at renewal (not required to report mid-year for most MAGI programs, but recommended)
• Death of a covered household member

For most MAGI-based Medicaid programs, income changes during the coverage year do not end coverage immediately — they are considered at the next renewal. The exception is if income changes affect All Kids premium tier assignments; in that case, premiums may be adjusted.

How Illinois Medicaid renewal works

1. 1

   Ex parte renewal attempted first

   HFS first tries to confirm your continued eligibility automatically using data from the IRS, SSA, and Illinois databases. If electronic verification confirms eligibility, your coverage renews without any action from you.

2. 2

   Renewal notice sent if ex parte cannot confirm

   If electronic data cannot confirm eligibility, HFS sends a renewal notice to your address on file. Keep your address current in ABE — notices sent to old addresses can be missed, leading to unintentional termination.

3. 3

   Complete your renewal online, by phone, or in person

   Log in to abe.illinois.gov, call 1-800-843-6154, or visit your local DHS office. Report any household changes since your last renewal.

4. 4

   Submit documents if requested

   HFS may request updated income, residency, or other documentation. Upload to your ABE account or mail to your local DHS office. Respond promptly — the notice will state the deadline.

5. 5

   Receive renewal decision

   HFS issues a written decision. If renewed, your coverage continues with no gap. If denied, the notice explains the reason and your right to request a fair hearing within 60 days.

Before your renewal date — what to check

• ABE account has your current mailing address, phone number, and email
• Recent income documentation ready — last 30 days of pay stubs or most recent tax return
• Report household changes — people moved in or out, income changes, new baby, address change
• If you received a renewal notice: respond before the deadline stated on the notice
• Check your renewal date in your ABE account under “My Benefits”