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.
|
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.
