Illinois Healthcare Portal Special Programs

Welcome to the Healthcare Portal’s Special Programs Page, which helps to ensure that people with special needs and their families get the information they need to take advantage of the services the State of Illinois has to offer. Read below for information on state programs like the Illinois Renal Disease Program, the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, and the Illinois Hemophilia Program.

HFS Medical Benefits may be available for individuals who are age 65 or older, blind or have a permanent disability. To qualify for HFS Medical, persons must live in Illinois and meet income and asset limits. Persons must also be U.S. citizens or qualified immigrants. You can review the HFS Medical Benefits Information to find out if you qualify.

The Illinois State Chronic Renal Disease Program assists Illinois residents who have been diagnosed as having chronic renal disease at the stage of irreversible renal impairment requiring a regular course of dialysis to maintain life. The program is for patients with chronic renal diseases who require lifesaving care and treatment, but do not qualify for Medicaid or All Kids or cannot meet spenddown. For more information call the Chronic Renal Disease Program Coordinator at 1-217-524-7143 or visit the State Chronic Renal Disease Program Web site.

The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program provides breast cancer screenings and treatments to uninsured women in Illinois. Persons found to need treatment may qualify for Health Benefits for Persons with Breast or Cervical Cancer. To find out if you’re eligible for free screenings, visit the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program Web site or call the Illinois Women’s Health-Line at 1-888-522-1282 (TTY: 1-800-547-0466).

The program provides financial assistance to eligible Illinois patients for the cost of the antihemophilic factors, annual comprehensive medical visits and other medical expenses related to the disease. For more information contact the Hemophilia Program at 1-217-782-3303 or toll free at 1-877-782-5565 (TTY 1-866-675-8440), or visit the Web site for the Bleeding Disorders Alliance Illinois.

State Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Program provides payment for medical expenses for sexual assault survivors who seek emergency services from a certified hospital and who are not eligible for Medical Assistance or All Kids nor are covered for these services by a policy of health insurance. Hospitals are responsible for collecting all associated bills for the Emergency Room visit from other providers such as physicians, ambulance companies, etc., and submitting these bills in a billing packet to HFS for payment. The program can also provide payment for follow-up visits rendered at the hospital for 180 days from the initial Emergency Room visit. If an HFS Authorization for Payment Voucher is issued by the hospital, the patient can seek follow-up care at the provider of their choice for 180 days from the initial Emergency Room visit. For questions about this program, call 1-217-782-3303 or 1-877-782-5565 (TTY: 1-800-526-5812).

With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("national health reform" or "the Affordable Care Act") on March 23, 2010, Illinois families and employers can anticipate a health insurance marketplace that will provide more meaningful benefits, be more accountable to consumers, and be more transparent. Most health insurance reforms are scheduled to be implemented and effective by January 1, 2014.

The establishment of a federally-funded temporary high risk pool is among the components of the Affordable Care Act scheduled for implementation in the near future. By design, the federally-funded high risk pool will provide transitional coverage to 2014 for the currently uninsured with preexisting conditions. Of course, effective January 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act prohibits health insurers from basing coverage or pricing decisions on health status. We know that day will not arrive soon enough for many families and employers, especially in Illinois which, does not require that health insurer rate increases be actuarially justified.

For information visit the IPXP Web site or call the Department of Insurance at 1-877-527-9431 for further information about enrollment.

If you have been diagnosed with HIV or AIDS you maybe eligible for prescription drug assistance though the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Visit the ADAP Web site or call the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-825-3518 ( TTY: 1-800-547-0466).

The State of Illinois funds a broad array of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment and prevention services at local community agencies, located in nearly all communities throughout the state. If you wish to learn more about these services, please call the DHS-Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse helpline at 1-866-213-0548 during business hours or visit the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator to find the location of the treatment provider nearest to you.

The Division of Mental Health (DMH) is responsible for assuring that children, adolescents and adults, throughout Illinois, have the availability of and access to public-funded mental health services. Services are available through 162 community mental health centers/agencies, 27 community hospitals with psychiatric units and nine state-operated hospitals. Information about access to these services may be obtained by contacting the DHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154 (TTY: 1-800-447-6404) or visit the Division of Mental Health Web site.

The Statewide Coordinator for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services provides training programs and additional materials in the area of mental health and deafness/hearing loss. The program serves individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and who also have mental health needs. For more information contact the DHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154 (TTY 1-800-447-6404) or visit Statewide Coordinator for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Web site.

The Division of Developmental Disabilities Hotline 1-888-DD-PLANS (1-888-337-5267) (TTY 1-866-376-8446) is available to persons and the family of people with developmental disabilities to answer questions on community programs, respite care, and other state services available to persons with a disability. More information is also available on the Division of Developmental Disabilities Web site.

The Department of Human Services Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is the state's lead agency for providing services to individuals with disabilities. DRS works in partnership with people with disabilities and their families to assist them in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living opportunities. Visit the DRS Web site or call the DHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154 (TTY: 1-800-447-6404).

UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) has 13 regional offices across the state where care coordinators are available to assist families with medically eligible children (birth to age 21 years) access needed specialty services. The Core Program is the major focus of DSCC and offers care coordination and cost-supported diagnosis and treatment for children with chronic health impairments determined eligible for program support. The Home Care Program offers coordination and support for in-home medical care of technology-dependent children who would otherwise have to remain in a hospital or skilled nursing facility. The Children's Habilitation Clinic, located on the west campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago, within the Children and Adolescent Section of the Out-Patient Center, provides comprehensive diagnostic services to children with complex disabling conditions and provides ongoing rehabilitation and developmental management to those children to age 21. For more information about these programs, call 1-800-322-3722 or visit UIC Division of Specialized Care for Children Web site.