Health & Benefits

Medicaid helps people in need with healthcare costs. In Illinois, Medicaid is available to people who are:

• Children 18 years and younger,
• Parents and caregivers responsible for a child 18 years or younger,
• Low-income adults ages 19 to 64 years,
• Over 65 years,
• Disabled,
• Blind,
• Pregnant, and
• Young adults under age 26 who were formerly in foster care.

For more information about the different medical programs available, visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) website.

Income limits

Each group has different income and asset rules. Adults with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level are eligible for Medicaid. 

Children and pregnant women have higher income limits. Children who live in households with an income of up to 318% of the federal poverty level are eligible for Medicaid coverage. Women who have recently given birth with incomes up to 213% of the federal poverty level are eligible for Medicaid coverage. This coverage can last up to 12 months after giving birth.

Adults who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older have different income limit rules, too. Their income must be below 100% of the federal poverty level, and individuals must have no more than $17,500 of non-exempt resources. Exempt resources are things like the home you live in, a single car, and your personal belongings. Learn more about the income and resource rules for Aged Blind and Disabled (AABD) Medical on the HFS website. 

Check with IDHS for the income and resource limits for your type of Medicaid. These income limits change each year. The changes depend on the federal poverty level. 

Citizenship 

To be eligible for Medicaid, you must be a U.S. citizen or fall within one of the qualified categories of non-citizens, such as refugees and persons lawfully present in the U.S. for over five years. If you are not eligible for Medicaid because of your immigration status and you are 65 years or older, you may be eligible for Illinois' Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program. (Note: Enrollment into the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors program has been paused.)

If you cannot get Medicaid because of your immigration status, you may be able to buy low-cost insurance. You can buy it with financial assistance through the Get Covered Illinois Marketplace.

Medicaid eligibility by state

Each state in the US has different eligibility requirements. Senior Planning offers an interactive map showing Eligibility for Medicaid long-term care. Just pick the state you want to see the requirements for.

Medicaid is available for low-income people and families. For people who don’t qualify for Medicaid, visit Get Covered Illinois to learn more about healthcare coverage options. Open enrollment generally runs from November 1 to January 15.  If open enrollment ends and you have not registered, certain life events may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. You have 60 days after a qualifying event to enroll.