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Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

HealthChoice Illinois - How To Join

First you will need to apply for Medicaid. We will let you know if you qualify. Next, we will make sure HealthChoice Illinois is the right way for you to get your Medicaid care. 

If it is, we will help you choose from a range of health plans that will customize a care plan for you. To choose a health plan, you should think about which ones your providers are part of and which plan best fits your needs

To apply for Medicaid, visit www.abe.illinois.gov or call the ABE Customer Service Center at 1-800-843-6154.

There are a few situations when the best fit for a Medicaid member might not be with HealthChoice Illinois, such as those who are part of dual-eligible Medicare-Medicaid programming and others. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services will let you know either way and explain the reasons.

Choosing the plan that is right for you.

Once we welcome you to HealthChoice Illinois, the choice of health plan is totally up to you. You will get a packet of useful information and tips to help out. And you can find detailed information at EnrollHFS.Illinois.gov, if you click on “Compare Plans.”

A few questions to ask yourself might help you make the best pick.

Which health plans is your Primary Care Provider (PCP) with?  Your PCP is the doctor or clinic you go to when you are sick or need a checkup. To make sure you keep yours, contact your PCP to see which health plans they are part of. Or go to EnrollHFS.Illinois.gov and click “Find Providers.”

Do you need to find a PCP? If you don’t have a PCP who you want to remain with, you can find listings for each health plan at EnrollHFS.Illinois.gov. Just click “Find Providers.”

Do different family members want different plans? You can pick a different PCP and health plan for each family member. Or you can choose the same HealthChoice Illinois health plan for everyone in your family.

For more information and more questions to think about, check out the HealthChoice Illinois Plan Report Card.

What happens after you join a health plan.

Once you enroll in a health plan, you will receive a health plan member handbook and a member ID card. Look for them in the mail. Your plan will also send you information about your Care Team. You will work with your health plan and Care Team to get the right healthcare services. This includes your physical health, behavioral health and social service needs.

More questions?

Check out our “Tell me about …” FAQs page. Or contact the Client Enrollment Broker online or at 1-877-912-8880 (TTY 1-866-565-8576) Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The call is free! You can get this information in other languages or formats, such as large print or audio.

And visit the managed care pages of “My Healthcare” at the HFS website.