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Immigrant Eligibility for Medicaid FAQ

Who is eligible for Medicaid?

Illinois’ federally-funded Medicaid program provides comprehensive health care coverage for Illinois residents who meet eligibility criteria. Unless you are a child under age 19 or a pregnant woman, in order to be eligible for Medicaid, you must be either a U.S. citizen or an immigrant who has been living in the U.S. with lawful permanent resident status for at least five years. Other immigrants with special status, such refugees and asylees, may also be eligible. This is the same criteria for Medicaid coverage in other states.

 

All people - regardless of immigration status - can go to the hospital and receive emergency medical services. The federal government provides reimbursement funds to hospitals for these visits through Medicaid as long as the person is otherwise eligible (for example, meets the income requirement). As part of the reimbursement process, the State of Illinois must submit data to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in order to receive reimbursement.

More information about Illinois Medicaid eligibility criteria is available here.

What type of information does the state report to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)?

All states are required to routinely share information with CMS to receive reimbursement for Medicaid costs. Federal law requires that all states submit standard customer-level information, such as name, address, date of birth, Medicaid ID, Social Security number (if provided), and information pertaining to immigration status. States also provide CMS with information about health services received, claims processing, and program funding.

It was recently reported that CMS shared Illinois Medicaid customer information with the Department of Homeland Security, is this true?

In mid-June 2025, HFS became aware of reports that federal CMS may have shared Medicaid customer personal data with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. To date, HFS has not received confirmation that Illinois Medicaid customer information was shared with federal agencies by CMS, as the Associated Press and other news outlets reported in mid-June 2025. HFS has asked CMS for confirmation of this reported data sharing but has not yet received a response. HFS was not given advance notice that any Illinois Medicaid customer information would be shared outside of CMS. HFS continues to actively seek answers from our federal partners.

Is Medicaid data routinely shared by CMS with other federal agencies?

Data collected by the state and submitted to CMS is considered sensitive and confidential. CMS is legally required to protect the confidentiality and security of Medicaid and personally identifiable data.

 

CMS has long promised the public that it is committed to protecting the integrity and privacy of its data, including by stating it will not be used for immigration enforcement purposes, and that is has sophisticated measures in place to limit data sharing. HFS continues to seek clarity regarding concerning reports of data sharing beyond CMS. 

Federal CMS has publicly stated that it is reviewing states’ claims data to determine if states are improperly claiming federal funds for people with unsatisfactory immigration status. Is Illinois subject to this review?

In April 2025, HFS received a request from federal CMS to review Illinois data regarding claims for federal financial participation that were submitted as part of HFS’s submission for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. HFS is participating in this federal CMS review process.

 

What if I have questions about Medicaid and my immigration status?

If you have questions about how enrollment in this program would affect current or future requests to change your immigration status, please email Protecting Immigrant Families at pifillinois@povertylaw.org, or call the Immigrant Family Resource Program at 1-855-437-7669. They will help you find an organization to answer your questions.

The Illinois Department of Human Services provides a range of resources for immigrants, refugees and asylees, including a list of qualified Community Service Agencies that serve immigrants. 

To apply for or manage your existing Medicaid benefits, visit ABE (Application for Benefits Eligibility.) You can also call the Health Benefits Hotline at 1-800-226-0768.

Learn more about HFS’ Medical Programs and who is eligible for Medicaid here.