Navigating Healthcare Options as an Immigrant in Illinois Community Resource Guide

Transcription

1 Navigating Healthcare Options as an Immigrant in Illinois Community Resource Guide

2 Table of Contents I. An Introduction to Healthcare and Public Benefits in Illinois How to Use the Resource Guide 4 Introduction to Healthcare Options 6 The Rights of Immigrants in Search of Healthcare 7 II. The Affordable Care Act What is the Affordable Care Act? 9 Affordable Care Act Timeline 11 III. Healthcare Coverage Options Part 1: High Risk ICHIP 13 IPXP 14 Part 2: Children Women, Infants and Children* 16 All Kids* Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility (MPE)* 19 Moms & Babies* 20 Part 3: Adults Emergency Medicaid* 22 Charity Care* 23 HUPDA* 24 Family Care 25 Aid to the Elderly and Disabled 26 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 27 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families 28 IV. For More Information 29 This guide was created by the Immigrant Family Resource Program of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights with funding from the Community Memorial Foundation and the Illinois Department of Human Services. *Public benefits that do NOT have any immigration restrictions, U.S. Citizens, legal permanent residents or undocumented immigrants may be eligible for benefits. Eligibility is based on each person in the household or family. It is possible for some members to participate in a benefit while others do not 2 3

3 How to Use the Resource Guide How to Use the Resource Guide (continued) To use this guide, first look up your immigration category on this page, and see what healthcare plans are available to you. Then, turn to the indicated page in the guide for more information. I am an undocumented immigrant* or a lawful permanent resident (LPR) / green card holder who has been in the United States for fewer than five years. I am also A Child under age 18 You may qualify for Women, Infants and Children. Turn to page 16 You may qualify for All Kids. Turn to page You may qualify for Moms & Babies. Turn to page 20 You may qualify for SNAP. Turn to page 27 You may qualify for TANF. Turn to page An Adult You may qualify for Family Care. Turn to page 25 You may qualify for Emergency Medicaid, Charity Care or HUPDA. Turn to page 17 You may qualify for SNAP. Turn to page 27 You may qualify for TANF. Turn to page 28 You may qualify for ICHIP. Turn to page 13 You may qualify for IPXP. Turn to page A Senior U.S. Citizen, Blind or Disabled You may qualify for Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD), Medicare or Medicaid. Turn to page A Pregnant Woman You may qualify for Women, Infants and Children. Turn to page 16 You may qualify for MPE or Moms & Babies. Turn to page 20 You may qualify for SNAP. Turn to page 27 You may qualify for TANF. Turn to page An Adult You may qualify for Emergency Medicaid, Charity Care or HUPDA. Turn to page 21 You may qualify for ICHIP. Turn to page 13 You may qualify for IPXP. Turn to page 14 I am an LPR/ green card holder who has been in the United States for more than five years. I am also A Child You may qualify for Women, Infants and Children. Turn to page 16 You may qualify for All Kids. Turn to page You may qualify for Moms & Babies. Turn to page 20 You may qualify for SNAP. Turn to page 27 You may qualify for TANF. Turn to page A Pregnant Woman You may qualify for Women, Infants and Children. Turn to page You may qualify for MPE or Moms & Babies. Turn to page 20 You may qualify for SNAP. Turn to page 27 You may qualify for TANF. Turn to page 28 *most benefits are not available for undocumented individuals in a family 4 5

4 Introduction to Healthcare Options Your Rights as an Immigrant in Search of Healthcare Healthcare and nutrition are important elements in achieving and maintaining your overall wellness. You have the right to have your basic needs met regardless of your immigration status. This guide is designed to help immigrants in Illinois navigate healthcare and public benefit options. To take full advantage of healthcare options, it is important that you have the basic tools to adequately prepare for doctor s visits and encounters with government agencies. Preventive Care Preventive care includes screening for disease, having regular physical exams, getting regular vaccinations, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Preventive care is an important part of the healthcare system and can be accessed both through public benefits and private insurance, and sometimes without insurance. Health fairs usually offer free screening for diabetes, breast and cervical cancer, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and more. Take advantage of free or low cost screenings as a form of preventative care. Using a Medical Home Choose a medical home: a doctor or clinic that you can go to for most of you healthcare needs and can get to know you and your medical history Arrive early to your appointment. You may need to fill out some forms about your medical history or provide other information that will help your doctor assist you better. You have the right to language access when you visit the doctor. This may be a medical provider who speaks your language, an in-person interpreter, or a video tape or phone interpreter. Request language assistance if you feel more comfortable speaking in a language other than English. Decide if you want to bring a friend or family member or if you prefer to see your healthcare professional alone. Your health information is confidential. You have the right to choose with whom you share that information. You should never be asked to bring your own interpreter. You should let your doctor know about any religious or ethnic considerations that would play a role in healthcare decisions. Don t be afraid to ask your doctor questions about your health! Right to receive services in your language As mandated by the Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, a person with limited English proficiency (LEP) seeking assistance from a federally funded healthcare provider has the right to: 1. Request and receive translations and services in the language in which he or she is most comfortable 2. Receive these services free of cost 3. Secure ongoing assistance in this language. If a federally funded provider or public benefit agency denies you any of these rights, the agency has violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and has illegally discriminated against you. To report a case of discrimination, file a complaint with the Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights. To file a complaint follow the steps provided on the Health and Human Services website: hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/complaints/index.html. Right to withhold Immigration Status When Obtaining Healthcare Individuals should not have to provide immigration status information or a social security number to receive medical care at a clinic, doctor s office, or hospital. Some healthcare services do not have immigration restrictions; legally you cannot be denied services because you do not have a social security number or a green card. However, PLEASE NOTE: When applying for benefits, the individuals who would receive healthcare services may need to reveal their immigration status on the applications. Also note that if an undocumented parent applies for All Kids assistance for his or her child, the parent does not need to reveal his or her own immigration status. If you are applying for a service on behalf of someone else or you are applying for a service that does not have immigration restrictions, you never need to reveal your status. Accessing Health and Human Services You have the right to have a healthy life! Services exist to help most people of limited resources access basic needs like food and healthcare. Each section in this guide has contact information to apply for benefits. For any questions or concerns about accessing benefits please contact the Immigrant Family Resource Program at ICIRR the website or by phone : for Spanish, press 1 for Arabic, press 2 for Polish, press 3 for Cantonese, press 4 for Vietnamese, press 5 for Korean, press 6 for Russian, press 7 for English, press 8 6 7

5 Your Rights as an Immigrant in Search of Healthcare (continued) Affordable Care Act Right to Receive Assistance without Becoming a Public Charge A public charge is an individual seeking lawful permanent residency who is primarily financially dependent on the government. To become a public charge, an immigrant must require long-term medical care (such as extended time in a nursing home or a mental health facility) or significant cash assistance (such as TANF, SSI or other direct cash programs). The government cannot use noncash or short-term public benefits as a reason to deem someone a public charge. Public Charge will not hurt an application for U.S. Citizenship. Using All Kids, FamilyCare, WIC, MPE, Moms & Babies, Emergency Medicaid, Charity Care or HUPDA will not hurt an application for residency or U.S. Citizenship. Institutionalized care (such as care in a nursing home or mental health facility) can hurt an application for residency. notes: What is the Affordable Care Act? The Affordable Care Act is federal law designed to make healthcare more accessible to consumers. The goals of this legislation will be reached by making insurance more affordable for consumers and delivering high quality care. The Affordable care act protects consumers, lowers the cost of insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses, and gives tax credits to employers that provide insurance for their employees. The Affordable Care Act will be implemented gradually over the next few years, the timeline on page 7 outlines how and when major changes will occur. Some highlights Children can no longer be denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition. Young adults can stay on their parent s health plan until they reach age 26. Co-pays and premiums will be reduced. Medicaid eligibility will be expanded. Insurance Exchanges or marketplaces will be established. How does the implementation of the Affordable Care Act affect me? The implementation of the Affordable Care Act means that most people will be able to afford and receive medical services with more ease. As of 2014, Medicaid coverage will be expanded to all low- income individuals up to 133% of the poverty line, but there are some immigration restrictions. It is estimated that coverage will be expanded to 16 million people in the United States as a result of healthcare reform. By 2014, most people will be required to have medical insurance, and most people who do not have insurance will have to pay a penalty. Insurance exchanges will be set up to help you purchase insurance. These exchanges are like marketplaces where you can compare health insurance plans and costs. The goal of insurance exchanges is to allow individuals, families, and employers to make informed decisions when purchasing insurance. 8 9

6 Affordable Care Act (continued) Affordable Care Act Timeline Does the Affordable Care Act affect my ability to get insurance as an immigrant? Naturalized U.S. Citizens and Refugees: Medicaid: Eligible Private insurance: Eligible High risk pool: Eligible Legal Permanent Residents: Medicaid: Adults must have their green card for five years to be eligible to receive benefits. Children will not have to wait for five years to begin receiving benefits. Children will be eligible to receive Medicaid benefits regardless of their parents eligibility. Private insurance: Individuals and families will be able buy insurance from the Insurance Exchange. High risk pool: Legal permanent residents are eligible to purchase insurance through the high risk pool. Check in with ICIRR s Immigrant Family Resource Program at for updates on the Affordable Care Act and how immigrants will participate. notes: Other Lawfully Present Immigrants: Medicaid: only eligible under certain circumstances, ex: VAWA applicants, trafficking victims Private insurance: Eligible High risk pool: Eligible Undocumented: Medicaid: Adults who are undocumented will not be eligible for Medicaid. Adults are eligible for emergency Medicaid (which covers pregnancy). Children will continue to be eligible for All Kids in Illinois, regardless of immigration status. Private Insurance: Individuals and families will not be able to obtain coverage through Insurance Exchanges. Undocumented individuals may continue to receive services from Federally Qualified Health Centers; school based clinics, and will be able to receive emergency care at hospitals Physicians are paid based on the quality of care they provide, not the number of people they serve The middle class receives tax credits for purchasing health insurance. Affordable insurance exchanges are established. Individuals and Families who earn less than 133% of the poverty level are eligible for Medicaid. Anyone who can afford health insurance must buy it, or they will have to pay a penalty. Medicaid programs receive more funding to provide preventive care. The coordination and quality of patient care is improved. Medicaid payments for primary care doctors are increased. Children s health insurance receives more funding. Seniors receive discounts for prescription drugs. Seniors receive free preventive care. Health care premiums are reduced. Disabled individuals can receive home and community based services through Medicaid. Children with preexisting conditions can no longer be denied health insurance. Insurance companies can no longer revoke coverage. Young adults under age 26 can be covered by parent s health plan. Small businesses receive tax credits for providing health insurance for employees. All new health plans must provide free preventive care without charging copays or deductibles. The Affordable Care Act becomes law Integrated Health Systems are encouraged to develop. Administrative costs are reduced. Health disparities will be addressed by collecting racial ethnic, and language data from patients

7 Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (ICHIP) ICHIP is a state-run health benefit plan. It exists to provide coverage for individuals who otherwise would be uninsurable. What is the High Risk Pool? Before US healthcare reform, insurance companies could deny or withdraw coverage for individuals who had pre-existing conditions. These individuals were deemed a risk for the insurance company. Effective January 1, 2011, the Affordable Care Act will no longer allow insurance companies to deny coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions. The High Risk Pool exists to provide coverage for people considered high risk until they become eligible to purchase insurance on January 1, Illinois offers insurance for individuals who have been unable to obtain or afford coverage from a private insurer because of a pre-existing condition; this program is called the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan (ICHIP). Do I qualify? 1. To receive benefits you must be a resident of Illinois. 2. You also must meet one of the following criteria: You have applied for private health insurance and have been denied because of a preexisting health condition. You are currently insured under a plan that provides the same coverage as ICHIP but costs you more than ICHIP would cost you. You have one of the 31 presumptive medical conditions that result in an automatic denial from insurance companies. The 31 presumptive medical conditions: Healthcare Coverage Options Part 1: Healthcare for High Risk Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Hemophilia (Classical) Paraplegia or Quadriplegia (AIDS) or Aids Related Complex (ARC) Hodgkin s Disease Parkinson s Disease Angina Pectoris Huntington s Chorea Lupus Erythematosus Disseminate Arteriosclerosis Obliterans Juvenile Diabetes Polycystic Kidney Cerebrovascular Accident (Stroke) Kidney Failure Requiring Dialysis Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Chemical Dependency Leukemia Sickle Cell Anemia Cirrhosis of the Liver Metastatic Cancer Silicosis Pneumoconiosis (Black Lung) Coronary Insufficiency Multiple or Disseminated Sclerosis Syringomyelia Coronary Occlusion Muscular Atrophy or Dystrophy Wilson s Disease Cystic Fibrosis Myasthenia Gravis Friedreich s Ataxia Myotonia The Illinois Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (IPXP) is a federal program funded by the Affordable Care Act that creates additional insurance options for high-risk residents in Illinois. IPXP is a temporary insurance program, and will be discontinued in 2014, when all

8 Illinois Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (IPXP) insurance companies will be bound by law to accept all patients regardless of pre-existing conditions. Under IPXP, you may receive care for inpatient and outpatient services, doctor visits, surgical services, nursing services, home healthcare services, hospice care, organ transplants, prescription drugs, medical equipment, physical, speech and occupational therapy, maternity care and preventive services. Unlike other federally sponsored healthcare options, IPXP is not free and those who use this option will have to pay. If you are already on ICHIP, the government advises that you do not opt out of ICHIP coverage to wait for IPXP coverage. Since enrollment in IPXP is extremely limited, you would risk losing health insurance all together. Furthermore, if you leave ICHIP you will not be allowed to re-enroll for 12 months after deactivating service. Do I qualify? 1. You must be a U.S. Citizen or a legal permanent resident. 2. You must be uninsured for at least six months. You can have no form of insurance, which includes Medicare or Medicaid. 3. You must have a pre-existing condition. While previous high-risk pools provided consumers with a set list of conditions that are considered high-risk, IPXP has an automatic list of approved preexisting conditions but also allows you to lobby for unlisted pre-existing conditions that might qualify you for IPXP. You will be asked to describe your condition on your application, and IPXP will then decide if it is high-risk. What personal attributes may affect my premiums? 1. Age 2. Residential address 3. Tobacco use 4. Deductible option By law, IPXP insurance cannot discriminate against you because of your sex. How do I apply? You may apply online at or you can call IPXP at (877) to receive an application. Healthcare Coverage Options Part 2: Healthcare for Children

9 Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) All Kids What is WIC? WIC is a nation-wide program for low-income women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, and also to infants and children (up to the age of five). It provides nutritious foods, healthy eating information, and healthcare referrals. WIC provides monthly vouchers for families to purchase nutritious foods. WIC provides pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age five with nutritious foods. These foods include: infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, fruit and vegetable juice that is rich in vitamin C, eggs, milk, cheese, and canned goods. WIC promotes breastfeeding, but provides iron-fortified infant formula for mothers that do not fully breastfeed their infants. Do I qualify for WIC? 1. There are no immigration restrictions for WIC. Any woman or child, regardless of immigration status, may qualify. 2. You must be a woman who is pregnant, breastfeeding (up to the child s first birthday), or postpartum (up to six months after the end of pregnancy). 3. Children are eligible for benefits up to age five. 4. To be eligible you must demonstrate a medical-based or dietary-based nutrition risk. These nutrition risks include but are not limited to: being underweight, having anemia or living with a poor diet. 5. Your household income must be at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. To find out if you qualify, income eligibility guidelines can be found online at html. How do I apply for benefits? You can apply for benefits at a WIC clinic near you. To locate a clinic, go to the website at aspx?item=30513 or call the state WIC office at You must apply in- person at a WIC clinic. Screening for nutrition risk is also provided at WIC clinics. What is All Kids? All Kids is a program that provides free or affordable medical insurance to low-income children in Illinois. The All Kids medical plan covers regular checkups, dental appointments, immunizations, hospital visits, physical therapy, mental health services, and vision care. Any child who is a resident of Illinois may be eligible for the program. Some low-income families will receive insurance through All Kids at no cost, while families with higher incomes may have co-pays and premiums. Do I qualify for All Kids? 1. There are NO immigration restrictions for All Kids. Any child, regardless of immigration status, can qualify for All Kids. 2. You must be 18 years old or younger. 3. You must be a resident of Illinois. 4. Your household income must be at or below 300 percent of the poverty level. 5. You will be considered eligible for All Kids once you have been uninsured for at least 12 months. Exceptions are made if you have been uninsured for less than 12 months when your household income is less than the cutoff amount. The cutoff amounts can be found online at How much do I pay for All Kids? If you are a low-income family in Illinois, you may be able to obtain free medical care for your children through the All Kids program. If you are a family that is not low-income, but your children are uninsured, you may qualify for reduced-rate insurance through All Kids. Eligibility and fees for All Kids can be found online at You ll find tables that outline a family s eligibility status according to the household income and family size. You can also find information on which fees, if any, apply for services received. To find a healthcare provider that accepts All Kids, call the Illinois Health Connect Hotline at (TTY: ) or visit their website:

10 All Kids (continued) Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility (MPE) and Moms & Babies Does All Kids affect me or my children s eligibility for residency or U.S. Citizenship? As long as your child does not receive long term care in a nursing home or mental health facility, All Kids will not affect their eligibility for residency or U.S. Citizenship. If your child uses All Kids, it will not affect your eligibility for residency or U.S. Citizenship. How do I apply for All Kids? You can apply online by going to allkids.com. Applications can be downloaded from allkids.com, and mailed to the address provided on the application. Paper copies of the application can also be obtained by calling the All Kids hotline: ALL-KIDS ( ). For help filling out an application, locate an All Kids Application Agent in your area by going to search/. For more information about applying for All Kids contact the Immigrant Family Resource Program at ICIRR by calling or on the website What is Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility? Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility (MPE) provides immediate outpatient care to low-income pregnant women in Illinois. If you qualify, you will not be asked to pay for any outpatient services while you have MPE. However, MPE only offers temporary medical insurance and does not include labor and delivery. If you qualify for MPE, you should also apply for Moms & Babies, which offers a longer-term healthcare plan for pregnant women and their newborns. What is Moms & Babies? Moms & Babies is a long-term health insurance plan that offers inpatient and outpatient services, prenatal care, labor and delivery care and other services for pregnant women up to 60 days after their babies are born. Babies born to women on the Moms & Babies program will automatically receive free All Kids Health insurance for one year. If you qualify for Moms & Babies, all of these services are administered free of charge. Do I qualify for MPE? 1. There are NO immigration requirements for MPE. Any U.S. Citizen, legal permanent resident or undocumented immigrant can qualify for this program. A social security number is not required for access to MPE. 2. You must be pregnant. 3. Your monthly household income must be 200 percent or below the Federal Poverty Level. To find out if you can receive MPE coverage, you can find the income eligibility online at First, find the number of people in your household in the left column, and then see if your monthly income falls into the income bracket listed in the right column. If it does, you may qualify for MPE. Do I qualify for Moms & Babies? The qualifications for Moms & Babies are the same as those for MPE (outlined above). You do not need to be a legal permanent resident or a U.S. Citizen to qualify for Moms & Babies 18 19

11 Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility (MPE) and Moms & Babies (continued) How do I apply for MPE? You should go to an approved MPE site and fill out an application. At the site, a doctor will verify that you are pregnant and ask to report your monthly household income. If you meet the requirements listed above, you should be granted MPE and your services should begin immediately. MPE will cover your outpatient pregnancy services for about two months after you are accepted into the program. To find an MPE site, find a WIC clinic near you and see if they offer MPE application services. How do I apply for Moms & Babies? Since Moms & Babies is a branch of the Illinois All Kids program, you must apply for Moms & Babies using the All Kids application. The application will ask for verification of your pregnancy, which you must obtain from a doctor. At your next checkup, ask if your doctor is an All Kids agent. If the doctor s office is an All Kids agent, it will be able to give you an application and help you apply. If you would like to apply online, go to allkids.com. To request a paper copy of the application or to find an All Kids Application Agency that will help you apply for Moms & Babies, call If you have MPE and have applied for Moms & Babies, your MPE coverage will automatically be extended until you are approved for Moms & Babies. When you are approved, you will receive a notice in the mail. Healthcare Coverage Options Part 3: Healthcare for Adults 20 21

12 Emergency Medicaid Charity Care What is Emergency Medicaid? To receive emergency medical benefits, individuals must need, or have received, emergency medical services during the month of application or during the 3 months before the month of application. An emergency condition occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, is caused by injury or illness, has acute and severe symptoms, such as pain, and requires immediate medical attention to prevent jeopardy to patient s health or serious impairment to bodily functions or parts. Do I qualify for Emergency Medicaid? 1. There are NO immigration requirements for Emergency Medicaid. To receive Emergency Medicaid you can be a U.S. Citizen, legal permanent resident or an undocumented immigrant. 2. You must have an emergency medical situation that threatens your life, your organ functioning or your bodily functioning in order to qualify for Emergency Medicaid. 3. You must be able to verify that you are a resident of Illinois. 4. You must meet certain income standards to be eligible for Emergency Medicaid. Your household income must be at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level. How do I apply for Emergency Medicaid? If you are not over the age of 65 or disabled, you should apply for Emergency Medicaid at the time of your hospital visit. Ask the front desk for an Emergency Medicaid application, and they should give you one. You must submit your application within three months of receiving services at the hospital, or you could be denied financial assistance. If you are over the age of 65 or disabled, you should contact your local DHS office to receive medical assistance through the Aid to Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) program. notes: What is Charity Care? Charity Care is free or reduced-rate care to low-income patients who do not have medical insurance. It is always offered by non-profit hospitals and sometimes by other hospitals. Ninety percent of hospitals in Chicago are non-profit, and therefore provide Charity Care to qualified patients. Do I qualify for Charity Care? 1. There are NO immigration requirements for Charity Care, so if you are an undocumented immigrant, legal permanent resident or naturalized U.S. Citizen you may qualify for Charity Care. 2. You must be considered low-income to be eligible. Each hospital has their own standards for Charity Care eligibility; but in general, Charity Care will cover your entire medical bill if your household income is 200 percent of the federal poverty level or below. If your income is somewhere between 200 and 500 percent of the federal poverty level, you can usually qualify for significant deductions to your medical expenses. 3. You usually cannot have any form of medical insurance, including Medicaid or Medicare. How do I apply for Charity Care? 1. Applications for Charity Care are available at hospitals and on hospital websites. Ask the front desk of your hospital for a financial assistance application when you check out of the hospital. 2. Once you get your application, you may be asked to present tax forms, employment verification or a social security number. If you do not pay taxes, have a job, or have a social security number, be honest and tell the hospital that you do not have these documents or numbers. Legally, they cannot refuse your application because you lack these items. 3. Attach a cover letter to your application that states the documents you have included and your contact information. What do I do if you don t hear back? 1. If you do not heard back from the hospital in six weeks, call the hospital s financial assistance office and ask about the status of your application. 2. If you do not heard back from the hospital in four months, send a copy of your Charity Care application to the Attorney General and explain that you have been waiting for four months to hear back from the hospital about your application. Send a copy of the letter you sent to the Attorney General to the hospital, so that they know that the Attorney General has been notified. Usually, the hospital will respond quickly

13 Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act HUPDA FamilyCare What is HUPDA? HUPDA is a law that helps Illinois residents without health insurance lower the cost of medical expenses at non-profit hospitals. HUPDA ensures that a patient cannot spend more than 25 percent of his or her annual household income on medical bills in a given year at a single hospital. If you do not qualify for Charity Care because of your income level or if your Charity Care application is denied, you should apply for HUPDA. Do I qualify for HUPDA? 1. There are NO immigration requirements for HUPDA, so if you are an undocumented immigrant, legal permanent resident or naturalized U.S. Citizen you can qualify for HUPDA. 2. You cannot have any form of medical insurance, including Medicaid or Medicare. 3. Your household income must be at or below 600 percent of the federal poverty level. How do I apply for HUPDA? At the time of receiving services ask the hospital about applying for HUPDA. You must submit your HUPDA application within 60 days of receiving services. The application should be filled out and sent to the address that is on the application. The application will ask you to provide the following documents: A copy of last year s tax return A copy of the last three month s pay stubs or other proof of income A copy of the last three month s bank statements Copies of all outstanding bills: automobile, medical bills, credit card statements, etc. What do you do if you don t hear back? To follow up on your application, use the same procedure outlined above for Charity Care. Important Notices and Exceptions to Charity Care and HUPDA: 1. Because HUPDA only applies to medical expenses at one hospital in a given year, it is important to receive services from the same hospital all year. 2. If you are in an automobile accident and the other party has medical insurance, you do not qualify for Charity Care and HUPDA. Since the other party has insurance, you should be able to receive discounts from his or her insurance company. What is FamilyCare? FamilyCare provides primary and secondary health insurance to the parents or legal guardians of children in Illinois. FamilyCare covers doctor visits, dental care, hospital visits, prescription drugs, emergency medical needs and other services. There are four levels of FamilyCare; different levels apply to families with different monthly incomes. FamilyCare Assist, Share and Premium Level 1 provide parents and guardians with a medical card that helps pay expenses that an existing plan may not cover. If you meet the income requirements for FamilyCare Share or Premium Level 1, you can choose to use FamilyCare Rebate instead, which helps you pay for your existing insurance premiums. Do I qualify for FamilyCare? 1. You must be a U.S. U.S. Citizen or Qualified Immigrant. 2. You must be the parent or legal guardian of a child who is 18 years old or younger. 3. You must fit into one of the income bracket. This information can be found online at com/income.htm. To see if you fit into one of these brackets, find your family size and then find the range that includes your monthly income. Do I pay for FamilyCare? You will pay for FamilyCare depending on what services your family needs and which income bracket you fall into. To find out how much FamilyCare insurance might cost you, look up your FamilyCare level to see what fees apply for different types of services. This information can be found online at FamilyCare Rebate is not listed because it does not cover medical expenses, but rather, helps you pay off your existing premiums. How do I apply for FamilyCare? To apply online go to: You can also find an All Kids Application Agent at com/akaa/search/. You may also have an application mailed to you by calling the All Kids hotline at: ALL-KIDS ( ) If your child currently uses All Kids, you can apply for FamilyCare by contacting the Department of Human Services or an All Kids Application Agent. 4 To be a Qualified Immigrant, you must be a Lawful Permanent Resident who has 5 years of Permanent Residency in the U.S. Refugees, Asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Amerasians, trafficking victims, Hmong/Highland Laotians, Persons Granted Conditional Entry, certain Native Americans, U.S. Veterans honorable discharged or persons in active duty in the Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of these persons, certain abused immigrants, their children, and/or their parents, and certain parolees are considered Qualified Immigrants, regardless of the length of their residency

14 Healthcare for Senior U.S. Citizens, the Blind and the Disabled Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) What are Medicare, Medicaid and AABD? Medicare distributes medical and hospital coverage to senior U.S. Citizens in Illinois, regardless of their income level. Medicare has four different types of coverage for recipients: Part A covers hospital visits, nursing care and home care. Part B helps recipients pay for physical therapy, outpatient care and ambulance services. Part C refers to Medicare s Advantage Plans, which include all the services in Parts A and B and provides other benefits such as vision screenings and physicals. Part D is a prescription drug plan for which recipients must pay a monthly premium. In addition to these four parts, private insurance companies offer a Medicare Supplement (commonly referred to as Medigap) to help pay co-payments, deductibles and other items that are not covered in Part A or B of Medicare. Aid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD) and Medicaid provide health insurance to individuals in Illinois who are low-income, senior U.S. Citizens, blind or disabled. If you are a senior U.S. Citizen or a disabled person who meets certain income requirements, you could have dual-eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid. If you have dual-eligibility, the Medicare and Medicaid offices will coordinate with each other to provide you with health insurance. Do I qualify for Medicare? 1. You must be a U.S. U.S. Citizen or qualified immigrant. 2. You must be at least 65 years old. 3. If you are a U.S. Citizen on continuing dialysis support for a kidney failure you may qualify to receive benefits. 4. If you are a U.S. Citizen who is eligible for SSDI and have ALS- Lou Gehrig s disease you may qualify to receive benefits. What is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)? SNAP provides financial assistance for low-income families to purchase food. Every SNAP member receives a LINK card (similar to a debit card) allowing them to purchase food at most grocery stores. Money to purchase food is put on a LINK card each month. Do I qualify for SNAP? 1. Eligibility is based on each person in the household or family. It is possible for some members to obtain a benefit while others do not. You must be a U.S. Citizen or qualified immigrant. Note that if you are a minor who is a Lawful Permanent Resident but has lived in the U.S. for fewer than five years, you can still qualify for SNAP. 2. You must be an Illinois resident. 3. You must meet the income requirements. To find out if you are eligible for SNAP benefits, income eligibility requirements can be found online at How much money will you get on your LINK card? The amount of money that you receive on your LINK card each month depends on the number of people in your household. To find out the maximum amount of SNAP benefits your household may be eligible to receive, you can find this information online at Be sure to note that the amount of benefits may vary. Factors such as income and expenses determine the amount that your family may receive. How do I apply for SNAP? You can apply for SNAP online at If you would like a paper copy of the application, you should call your local DHS office. Do I qualify for Medicaid and AABD? 1. You must be a U.S. Citizen or qualified immigrant. 2. You must meet the income requirements for Medicaid and AABD; your monthly household income must not exceed 100 percent of the federal poverty level. 3. You must be a senior U.S. Citizen, blind or disabled. How do I apply for Medicare, Medicaid and AABD? To apply in person, you should visit your local Department of Human Services Office. To apply online you can use the SNAP, Medical and Cash Benefits application on the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services website at il.us/register/wb/wbhomepre.do 5 Note: If you already receive SSI benefits, you are automatically eligible for Medicaid and AABD. 6 To be a Qualified Immigrant, you must be a Lawful Permanent Resident who entered the U.S. before 8/22/1996 or a Lawful Permanent Resident who entered after 8/22/1996 and has 5 years of Permanent Residency in the U.S. Refugees, Asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Amerasians, trafficking victims, Hmong/Highland Laotians, Persons Granted Conditional Entry, certain Native Americans, U.S. Veterans honorable discharged or persons in active duty in the Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of these persons, certain abused immigrants, their children, and/or their parents and certain parolees are considered Qualified Immigrants, regardless of time in residency

15 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) For More Information What is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)? TANF provides low-income families temporary cash assistance to help pay for food, housing, utilities and other expenses. If you qualify for TANF, you may also receive SNAP benefits and medical assistance. Since TANF is only a temporary service, you may not receive TANF benefits for more than five years in the course of your life. Do I qualify for TANF? 1. You must be a U.S. Citizen or a qualified immigrant. If you do not meet the immigration requirements but your child does, you can apply for child-only assistance. 2. You must be pregnant or have a child who is under the age of You must live in Illinois. 4. If you are a single parent, you must work 30 hours a week. If you are a two- parent household you must work 35 hours a week combined. 5. You must meet the income and asset requirements. To find out the current income and asset requirements, contact your local DHS office. How do I apply for TANF? To apply for TANF, you should visit your local DHS office or notes: To learn more about what public benefits your family may be eligible for, call our multilingual information line at or go tothe website at You may also contact an Immigrant Family Resource Program provider for free assistance and translations Federal Poverty Level Guidelines Chart Household Size 100% 133% 150% 200% 300% 400% 1 $11,170 $14,856 $16,755 $22,340 $33,510 $44, ,130 20,123 22,695 30,260 45,390 60, ,090 25,390 28,635 38,180 57,270 76, ,050 30,657 34,575 46,100 69,150 92, ,010 35,923 40,515 54,020 81, , ,970 41,190 46,455 61,940 92, , ,930 46,457 52,395 69, , , ,890 51,724 58,335 77, , ,560 For each additional person, add $3,960 $5,267 $5,940 $7,920 $11,880 $15,840 These guidelines change annually. Check for updated income levels

16 This guide was created by the Immigrant Family Resource Program of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights with funding from the Community Memorial Foundation and the Illinois Department of Human Services