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Customer and Stakeholder Listening Sessions: Medicaid Managed Care for current and former youth in care (currently YouthCare)
We want to hear from you!
HFS and DCFS will be holding listening sessions to hear from youth in care, former youth in care, caregivers, case workers, providers, and others to help inform the upcoming re-procurement of the Specialty Managed Care Plan for Youth in Care and Former Youth in Care (currently YouthCare). Your feedback will help shape how health care services are delivered to this population in the future (physical, behavioral, dental, etc.)
The re-procurement process is anticipated to begin in Spring 2026, with a Request for Proposals (RFP) expected to be released in late summer. The new DCFS Specialty Managed Care Plan contract is anticipated to begin January 2028.
Who do we want to hear from?
Youth currently or former youth in care; foster parents and caregivers; providers supporting youth in care; advocates, caseworkers, and other stakeholders supporting youth in care. Youth in care and former youth in care are Medicaid-eligible and typically enrolled in HealthChoice Illinois - YouthCare. Your lived experiences are critical to helping us understand how the system works for youth in care and former youth in care.
Because the procurement is subject to the procurement code, HFS will be listening and registering your comments and will not be able to answer questions or respond during these sessions. If you have any questions regarding the procurement process, please submit via email to: HFS.Procurement@illinois.gov.
We are especially interested in learning:
What works well and where do you see gaps or opportunities to improve related to…
Access to care (including physical health, behavioral health, dental, etc.)
Care coordination
Transitions
How can managed care better meet the medical, behavioral health, and developmental needs of youth in care?
Any other feedback
Why are we doing this?
These listening sessions are an opportunity for youth in care, former youth in care, and those who support them to share real experiences with Medicaid managed care. Your input will help HFS and DCFS:
Improve access to timely and appropriate care
Strengthen care coordination for youth in care
Improve quality and continuity of services, especially during placement change
Schedule Information
2026 Timeline |
Meeting Modality |
Location |
Registration Details |
Listening Session Recording Links |
Date: January 28 Time: 11am-1pm
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Virtual Closed Captioning Available |
Virtual: Web Ex |
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Date: February 11 Time: 4-6pm
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In-person ADA Accessible |
UIC College of Pharmacy, 833 S. Wood Street Room 134-1
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Recording of Feb 11 Listening Session
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Date: February 25 Time: 11am-1pm
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Virtual Closed Captioning Available |
Virtual: Web Ex |
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Date: February 27 Time: 10am-12:30pm
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Virtual Closed Captioning Available
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Virtual: Web Ex Listening Session will take place during the second half of the Medicaid Advisory Committee Meeting (MAC) |
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Date: March 5 Time: 4pm-6pm |
In-person - Springfield | UIS Innovate Springfield, 1 Horace Mann Plaza, 6th floor Springfield, IL 62715 |
Register Here to Attend |
Opportunity to Share Written Feedback
Are you unable to attend an in-person or virtual session? Below is your opportunity to provide written feedback to us. All customer and stakeholder feedback will be considered through March 6, 2026 at midnight.
Utilize the form below to discuss your experience or provide feedback.
What works well and where do you see gaps or opportunities to improve related to:
- Access to care (including physical health, behavioral health, dental, etc.), care coordination, transitions, etc.
- How can managed care better meet the medical, behavioral health, and developmental needs of youth in care?
- Any other feedback you would like to share.
NOTICE:
Regardless of how feedback is provided, note that it later may be shared outside of HFS pursuant to HFS’s obligations under FOIA.
PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT:
- Personal Health Information or other details commentors wish to remain private
- Comments regarding a specific healthcare provider
- Detailed language suggestions regarding particular contract provisions
- Specific client details, name, provider, address, SSN, etc.
- Inappropriate, foul language, or references to staff by name
- Information from a vendor about its supplies, services, and operating models.
This webpage will be updated periodically, so please check back for more information as it becomes available.