Client Information

Who MUST join Illinois Health Connect?

Most people with an HFS Medical Card must join Illinois Health Connect. Families that have an All Kids, FamilyCare, and Moms and Babies Medical Card can also join Illinois Health Connect.

Who CANNOT Join Illinois Health Connect?

People who receive Medicare
Children under age 21 who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Children in foster care and children who get Subsidized Guardianship or Adoption Assistance from DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services)
Children under age 21 who are blind or who have a disability
People who live in nursing facilities
American Indians and Alaska Natives
Individuals with Spend-down
Refugees
People who get Home and Community-Based Services like the Community Care Program, the Home Services Program, or community services for persons with developmental disabilities
Individuals residing in Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs)
Individuals in Presumptive Eligibility programs
Individuals enrolled in the following programs with limited benefits:
- Illinois Healthy Women
- All Kids Rebate and FamilyCare Rebate
- Illinois Cares Rx, formerly SeniorCare/Circuit Breaker
- Transitional Assistance, age 19 or older
- Emergency Medical Only
- Hospice
- Renal and Hemophilia programs
Populations Already Managed:
- Individuals with High Level Third Party Liability (TPL)/Private Insurance
- Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) participants
- Children under age 21 whose care is managed by the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) of the University of Illinois at Chicago

How do I enroll?

It is easy to join Illinois Health Connect.

First pick a PCP. Think about where you and your family get your health care now. Do you want to stay with that doctor or clinic, or do you know another doctor or clinic that you like? Call that clinic or doctor's office to see if they are part of Illinois Health Connect.

If your doctor or clinic is part of Illinois Health Connect, you can pick them as your doctor. You do not have to pick the same doctor for all members of your family.
If not, we will help you pick a doctor, call us at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY: 1-866-565-8577). The call is free. We will help you pick a PCP.
Or go to the Illinois Health Connect PCP Directory to search for a PCP.

You do not have to pick your current doctor. You may pick a new doctor.

Once you have picked a doctor, you can enroll in Illinois Health Connect four ways:

PHONE: Call us at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY: 1-866-565-8577). The call is free. We will help you pick a PCP.
MAIL: Fill out the enrollment form you received in your packet. Mail the form back to Illinois Health Connect in the envelope provided.
- Illinois Health Connect
  1375 East Woodfield Road, Suite 600
  Schaumburg, IL 60173-5418
FACE-TO-FACE: Call the ICEB Helpline at 1-877-912-8880 (TTY: 1-866-565-8576) to schedule an appointment at a local DHS office. The call is free. You can also attend one of the community events.
ONLINE: Proceed to Illinois Health Connect Client Online Enrollment.

Need more help to pick the best doctor? Call the Illinois Health Connect Client Helpline at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY: 1-866-565-8577). The call is free.

What is a medical home?

Your medical home is the doctor’s office or clinic where you go to see your Primary Care Provider (PCP). Having a medical home means:

All your medical records are kept there in one place.
Your primary care provider gets to know you well.
You get better health care because your personal doctor knows all of your health care needs.
You and your family get the top quality health care you need to stay healthy.

Even if you are healthy and never get sick, it is good to have a medical home.

Why is it good to have a medical home?

Having a medical home means you get better health care. When you have a medical home, your doctor will get to know you well. That way, you and your family get the quality health care you need to stay healthy. Even if you are healthy and never get sick, it is good to have a medical home.

What is a Primary Care Provider (PCP)?

A Primary Care Provider (PCP) is the family doctor, nurse or other health care provider at your medical home who takes care of you and your family. Your doctor or other health care provider gets to know you well.

Your PCP will:

Take care of you when you are sick.
Give your children check-ups and immunizations (shots) to stay well.
Help you manage diseases and other conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma.
Send you to specialists or other health care providers when you need to go. This is called a "referral".
Answer questions you have about your health care.
Give you the information you need to stay healthy.
Work with you to get the health care you need.

What is Healthy Kids?

Healthy Kids is Illinois’ EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment) Program. It is a free health care program for babies, kids, teens, and young adults through age 20 who use the HFS or All Kids Medical Card. This means taking your kids to your medical home for regular check-ups and immunizations/shots.

If a problem is found during a Healthy Kids exam, your PCP can refer you to a specialist.

Additional Client Information

Here are some information and documents that explain more about Illinois Health Connect.

You can visit the Client FAQs page to find answers to frequently asked questions.

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