CHICAGO, Ill. (WAND) – COVID-19 pandemic policy of pausing annual Medicaid renewals for customers are coming to an end.

The Pritzker administration is offering to protect coverage for eligible Illinois Medicaid customers, as annual eligibility verifications, or redeterminations, resume in Illinois.

Starting the first week of May, the first round of customers will go through the resumed renewal process and will begin receiving time-sensitive redetermination notices in the mail.

According to Pritzker’s Administration, in Illinois, there will not be a “coverage cliff,” where everyone loses coverage at one time. Rather, redeterminations will happen on a rolling basis through mid-2024. Everybody’s due date is different, and all Illinois Medicaid customers will have a chance to go through the redetermination process.

“My administration is committed to making this renewal and redetermination process as smooth and efficient as possible, so that every Illinoisan knows the healthcare options that are available to them,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’ve been preparing for this moment for many months now, from increasing staffing to our widespread Ready to Renew marketing campaign. And we are collaborating with community health centers, local organizations, and public health partners to deliver resources for Illinois residents that will be most impacted by the restart of the Medicaid redetermination process.”

“In Illinois, we are committed to the work that will ensure the people of our state can live healthy and well. Access to healthcare and providing critical information to navigate the healthcare system is core to that mission,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “As hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans are impacted by the return of annual Medicaid renewals, we are digging in through the Ready to Renew campaign, so they know how to take action and maintain the healthcare coverage that is key to a good quality of life.”

The Administration said within the month of June, approximately 113,600 cases in Illinois will be up for renewal.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), which administers the Illinois Medicaid program, has conducted an ex parte screening on all cases using electronic data sources and known information to determine the customer’s continued eligibility.

HFS will now be able to automatically renew 51% of Medicaid customers due in June.

The Administration suggests customers with June renewal dates should keep a close eye on their mailboxes starting this week to see if they were renewed automatically or if they need to take action. If they are required to complete and submit their renewal form and any additional information to determine their eligibility, they must do so by June 1.

Customers whose eligibility cannot be verified through the ex parte process will be required to complete forms with additional information and submit that to HFS.

Customers who do not respond or are no longer eligible lose their Medicaid coverage a month after their due date. Anyone who is no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage will be notified and will receive information about how to enroll in alternative coverage.

“I can only imagine how daunting the Medicaid redetermination process may seem for many Illinois residents,” empathizes State Representative Eva-Dina Delgado. “It is crucial to complete this process on time to avoid any lapses in health care coverage. My office is here to help, and I encourage anyone who needs assistance to reach out and take advantage of this resource. I commend Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services for their commitment to spreading awareness and providing assistance.”

“Illinois has taken a proactive, multi-faceted approach to try to make sure that everyone who is eligible for Medicaid can continue coverage through the program without disruption,” said HFS Director Theresa Eagleson. “Medicaid customers have not had to renew coverage in over three years, and we have engaged in many levels of outreach to prepare people for when their renewal date comes up. We believe these efforts will have a significant impact in preserving coverage and encourage everyone to visit our website for more information on both their own renewals and how community organizations and health providers can assist.”

According to the Administration, medicaid enrollment in Illinois grew significantly in the three years the Continuous Coverage Requirement was in place, currently covering roughly 3.9 million people statewide, up from 2.9 million before the pandemic.

In preparation for the end of the Continuous Coverage Requirement, HFS has been working for more than a year to raise public awareness in an effort to ensure eligible Illinois customers retain their coverage in anticipation of the Continuous Coverage Requirement ending.

In March, HFS launched a multi-platform outreach campaign called Ready to Renew, which includes paid ads, print, digital and broadcast communications, and grassroots outreach to help Medicaid customers across the state ensure they’re prepared for their upcoming renewal. HFS also launched a Ready to Renew Toolkit in multiple languages so anyone who interacts with Medicaid customers can easily access and use key messages and materials to help reach Medicaid customers.

Medicaid customers can be sure they’re ready to renew by visiting abe.illinois.gov and clicking “Manage My Case” to set up an online account. Once there, customers should:

    Verify their mailing address is correct to make sure they get mail from HFS (addresses are listed in the ‘Contact Us’ tab).

    Look up their due date so they know when it is time to renew (due dates are in the ‘Benefit Details’ tab).

    Complete their renewal right away when they are due.

Customers can also call 1-800-843-6154 for help with their renewal.

For more information, please visit HFS’ online information center at Medicaid.illinois.gov, which includes answers to frequently asked questions, links to download the Ready to Renew toolkit, a link to abe.illinois.gov, and will house the HFS operational plan for transitioning out of the public health emergency.