Navigating Illinois’s Medicaid application backlog can be difficult for families when their loved one needs long-term care. In this article, we will discuss steps you can take to ensure your application is moving through the system.
According to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) at illinois.gov, the number of Medicaid applications which have exceeded normal processing times has ranged from 3,000 to nearly 150,000 in the years since 2017. Recently, Governor JB Pritzker passed the Medicaid Omnibus Bill, which restructures oversight of hospitals and long-term care. Governor Pritzker was instrumental in tackling the Medicaid backlog which had occurred in post-pandemic years. During the pandemic, Medicaid redeterminations were paused. When they were restarted post-pandemic, this caused a backlog with the Medicaid application processors. Currently, the backlog is not as bad as it has been in the past, but you may still experience a delay in the application process.
Below are suggested steps you can take to ensure your application is in process:
Track your application online: Illinois uses the Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) portal, where you can track your application and upload documents. Be sure not to submit a second application, as this will cause confusion and reset your timeline for review.
Respond quickly to requests for additional information: If your case worker requests additional information or documents, ensure you submit them as soon as possible. Wait times are reduced when necessary information is provided promptly.
Contact the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS): Visit your local DHS office or call the DHS Customer Help Phone Number at 1-800-843-6154.
Ask about provisional eligibility: Because Illinois has struggled with processing backlogs, the state has been subject to federal court orders to expedite processing and offer provisional eligibility for applicants whose initial applications have been languishing well beyond acceptable limits. Ask your case worker if your situation qualifies you for this temporary coverage.