County Care

 

 

Post written by CHC member Daniel Broome

Daniel serves at the American Cancer Society at Stroger Hospital as a Patient Navigator

Having applied and received a federal waiver, Cook County has been able to start “County Care,” a niche Program that is part of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion a year in advance.

County Care is a Medicaid program available specifically for Cook County residents who do not receive Medicare or do not qualify for Illinois’ Medicaid program, like many of the clients Chicago Health Corps members serve. County Care is run jointly by the State of Illinois and the Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS).

Medicaid eligibility has become complex, mostly covering populations such as children, pregnant women, the disabled, certain non-disabled adults (such as parents and caretakers), and qualifying seniors. Moreover, Medicaid programs differ state to state. County Care, however, exists as a net to catch the specific needs of Cook County Residents who are not eligible for these programs.

So who is eligible?

·         Ages 19-64

·         Residents of Cook County

·         Citizens and 5+ Year Legal Immigrants

·         Must have a Social Security Number or have applied for one.

·         Residents who earn at or below an annual income of $15,282 if Single and $20,628 for Couples

·         Not eligible for Medicaid or Medicare

County Care will cover most health care services including:

·         Inpatient services ·         ER visits ·         Ambulatory services ·         Lab and X-Ray services ·         Prescriptions

·         Family planning services ·         Dental Services (ages 19-21) ·         Mental health assistance ·         Medical supplies ·         Hospice and palliative care.

For a complete list of services offered, visit CountyCare.com

To apply by phone call 312-864-8200 or toll free number 1-855-444-1661. Apply in person at Stroger Hospital, Provident Hospital, Oak Forest Health Center, or Erie Family Health Centers.

For more information regarding health benefits for Illinois residents, check out Illinois Health Matters.

For a quick tutorial on the Affordable Care Act and how it will impact you, check out this Video!