Millions of Illinoisans remain enrolled in Medicaid post COVID-19 pandemic

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — 73% of Illinois Medicaid customers will remain eligible for coverage thanks to quick action by the Pritzker administration last year. The governor told reporters in Chicago Monday he was committed to keeping people on Medicaid after COVID-19 pandemic protections for renewal ended.

Over the past year, roughly 3.8 million Illinoisans went through Medicaid care re-determination for the first time since March of 2020. Pritzker said Illinois needed all hands on deck to help those in need.

"We brought together officials at the state and national level, community health partners, patient advocates, civic groups, public health professionals and more to make this process as smooth as possible and keep Illinois patients informed and protected," Pritzker said.

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The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services and Department of Human Services allowed flexibility over the past year to keep Medicaid customers enrolled. Administration leaders explained they would like to keep some of the flexible options permanent.

"By ensuring our customers have their medical needs addressed, we bring stability to their lives," said DHS Secretary Dulce Quintero. "Sometimes, it is the exact temporary support they need in order to achieve their self sufficiency."

An additional 85,675 re-determinations have been received and are pending approval from the state. Many of those customers will be helped by DHS caseworkers like Maria Mendez, who benefited from Medicaid coverage as a child.

"My parents were hard-working, but we just needed a little support and we were fortunate to have this resource available to us," Mendez said. "So, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is to ensure that our clients maintain uninterrupted access to healthcare through Medicaid."

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also announced last week that it will extend an option for states to automatically renew Medicaid coverage for people with no income until June 2025. Ex parte re-determinations are automatic renewals when there is enough state and federal data available to confirm a customer's eligibility before they are asked to complete renewal paperwork.

"We made every effort to automate renewals, give customers more time and information, and to build the capacity necessary to manage the caseload and work to avoid letting people slip through the cracks," Pritzker said.