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More than 204,800 Illinoisans have lost Medicaid coverage over the last three months as the resumption of a nationwide eligibility process continues, according to data from the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services.

* But, according to the article, almost half of those folks had other health coverage…

Of those that lost coverage, more than 86,000, or 42%, had another source of health care or liability coverage and about 14,300, or about 7%, had Medicare, HFS said.

* A large number no longer met income requirements…

Of those that lost Medicaid in August, September and October, about 62,179, or 30%, lost coverage because they were no longer eligible for Medicaid based on income requirements.

* And while 69 percent didn’t submit the required paperwork, a big chunk have filed paperwork to be reinstated…

Meanwhile, an additional 142,642, or 69%, residents were disenrolled because they did not submit required paperwork showing need for the program.

As of Oct. 6, more than 43,200, or 21%, of those who lost Medicaid over the last three months have returned redetermination paperwork to HFS, the agency said, meaning they may have the opportunity to be reinstated to the program.

It seems that many of those who didn’t submit the paperwork may have known they weren’t eligible anyway.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 17, 23 @ 12:38 pm

Comments

So that sounds about right from a front line caseworkers viewpoint.
Folks are eventually doing their redetermination and frankly those with new jobs are self selecting and not doing the redetermination.
Here’s the tough one that rips my heart out though.
AABD ( Aid to the Aged, Blind, and disabled) Medical
There are a whole bunch of folks who got AABD Medical at the beginning of the pandemic when we were giving to those who qualified and not doing redeterminations till now.
Now their disability or social security went up and they no longer qualify or they have a Spenddown (like a deductible)
When they find out that they no longer have it they go into total panic. These are folks who are no longer working or can’t work.
It’s awful. They came to count on Medicaid to pay for their medications especially.
It’s horrific for them and frankly for caseworkers too. It breaks our hearts that they will have to go without.
More needs to be done.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Oct 17, 23 @ 2:37 pm