The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is reminding the public that as of July 1, an income limit of 300 percent of the federal poverty level takes effect for the All Kids children’s health insurance program.
The limit
was adopted as part of the landmark Medicaid reform legislation that was
enacted in Illinois in January.
“Illinois
is taking a number of steps to reform its Medicaid program, to improve
efficiency and ensure that we are covering those who truly need
government-funded health care,” said HFS director Julie Hamos. “Implementing an
income cap for All Kids is one of those steps. Families that are over that
level have options for health care in the private market.”
According
to this legislation, any child enrolled prior to June 30 will continue to
receive coverage under All Kids regardless of the family’s income and as long
as their premiums are paid and they continue to meet all other requirements.
The new
income limit of 300 percent of the federal poverty level varies based on the
size of the family but for a family of four, the annual income limit would now
be at about $67,000
HFS said
that of the 1.6 million children who receive health coverage through the
department, the limit would affect less than 1 percent of those children.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
