Health News
In 2010, a study conducted by the University of Illinois at Chicago showed that over 95% of Illinois? kids had insurance coverage, making Illinois a state with one of the lowest rates of uninsured children in the nation. Much of this success can be attributed to the All Kids health insurance program, which provides for affordable, comprehensive health insurance for all Illinois children (up to age 19) who need coverage, regardless of family income or immigration status. Higher-income families pay monthly premiums ranging from $15 - $300/child, along with co-pays for doctor visits and other health care services.
Unfortunately, starting this Friday July 1st, All Kids will only allow for ?some kids? to qualify for coverage. Legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by the Governor in January places an income cap on the program at the start of July, effectively cutting off eligibility at 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL). This is equivalent to about $5,500/month or $66,000/year for a family of four.
Children enrolled in All Kids at or above 300% FPL by June 30th, 2011 are allowed to continue All Kids coverage for up to 12 months until July 1st, 2012, when NO children above 300% FPL will be allowed to continue their coverage.
While the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services estimates that fewer than 4,000 children are enrolled in All Kids above the income cap, it?s likely that many of these families enrolled their children in All Kids because private insurance was unaffordable or inaccessible or because coverage options were insufficient for their child?s health care needs.
So where does this leave families who will no longer be able to qualify for All Kids?
Families can pursue employer-based insurance or insurance on the individual market. The Affordable Care Act included a provision, effective September 23, 2010, that no longer allows insurance companies to deny children health insurance because of pre-existing conditions.
Some children may be eligible for the Illinois Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (IPXP) if they have a pre-existing condition and have been uninsured for at least six months. The Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan may also be an option for some families.
However, these options may be unaffordable or inaccessible to many families. If this is the case for you or for a family you know, the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition is interested in hearing your story. These stories can help us with advocacy efforts to persuade legislators to revise the changes to All Kids in upcoming legislative sessions. Contact Kathy Chan at [email protected] or at 312-491-8161 x 24.
Kathy Chan
Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition
- Don't Chip Away Chip
Leaders, from Illinois and across the country, are calling on Congress to continue funding the Children?s Health Insurance Program by highlighting its success in reducing the number of uninsured children and warning that these children may lose coverage...
- Who Has Pre-existing Conditions In Illinois?
A new study by Families USA has delved deep into Obamacare's patient protection provisions, which prevent anyone from being turned down or charged exorbitant rates for a pre-existing condition. According to the study, over one in four Illinoisans...
- Using Technology To Connect In New Ways In Illinois
According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 85% of all Americans 18 years and older own a cell phone; of these users, nearly a quarter (72%) of them ?text?. A July 2011 report shows that nearly one-third of all adults are...
- The Health Care Law's Impact On Children And Families In Illinois
Welcome to Illinois Health Matters - the website for information and action advice regarding our state's implementation of the nation's health reform law. The law has a tremendous amount in store for children and families of all income levels...
- Recent "medicaid Reforms" In Illinois: How Do They Impact State Implementation Of The Aca?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers states financial and health care coverage opportunities but also imposes administrative and structural requirements for states to meet in a very short timetable. There is, however, substantial federal money available...
Health News
Starting July 1 in Illinois: "Some" Kids Instead of "All Kids"
In 2010, a study conducted by the University of Illinois at Chicago showed that over 95% of Illinois? kids had insurance coverage, making Illinois a state with one of the lowest rates of uninsured children in the nation. Much of this success can be attributed to the All Kids health insurance program, which provides for affordable, comprehensive health insurance for all Illinois children (up to age 19) who need coverage, regardless of family income or immigration status. Higher-income families pay monthly premiums ranging from $15 - $300/child, along with co-pays for doctor visits and other health care services.
Unfortunately, starting this Friday July 1st, All Kids will only allow for ?some kids? to qualify for coverage. Legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by the Governor in January places an income cap on the program at the start of July, effectively cutting off eligibility at 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL). This is equivalent to about $5,500/month or $66,000/year for a family of four.
Children enrolled in All Kids at or above 300% FPL by June 30th, 2011 are allowed to continue All Kids coverage for up to 12 months until July 1st, 2012, when NO children above 300% FPL will be allowed to continue their coverage.
While the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services estimates that fewer than 4,000 children are enrolled in All Kids above the income cap, it?s likely that many of these families enrolled their children in All Kids because private insurance was unaffordable or inaccessible or because coverage options were insufficient for their child?s health care needs.
So where does this leave families who will no longer be able to qualify for All Kids?
Families can pursue employer-based insurance or insurance on the individual market. The Affordable Care Act included a provision, effective September 23, 2010, that no longer allows insurance companies to deny children health insurance because of pre-existing conditions.
Some children may be eligible for the Illinois Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (IPXP) if they have a pre-existing condition and have been uninsured for at least six months. The Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan may also be an option for some families.
However, these options may be unaffordable or inaccessible to many families. If this is the case for you or for a family you know, the Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition is interested in hearing your story. These stories can help us with advocacy efforts to persuade legislators to revise the changes to All Kids in upcoming legislative sessions. Contact Kathy Chan at [email protected] or at 312-491-8161 x 24.
Kathy Chan
Illinois Maternal and Child Health Coalition
- Don't Chip Away Chip
Leaders, from Illinois and across the country, are calling on Congress to continue funding the Children?s Health Insurance Program by highlighting its success in reducing the number of uninsured children and warning that these children may lose coverage...
- Who Has Pre-existing Conditions In Illinois?
A new study by Families USA has delved deep into Obamacare's patient protection provisions, which prevent anyone from being turned down or charged exorbitant rates for a pre-existing condition. According to the study, over one in four Illinoisans...
- Using Technology To Connect In New Ways In Illinois
According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 85% of all Americans 18 years and older own a cell phone; of these users, nearly a quarter (72%) of them ?text?. A July 2011 report shows that nearly one-third of all adults are...
- The Health Care Law's Impact On Children And Families In Illinois
Welcome to Illinois Health Matters - the website for information and action advice regarding our state's implementation of the nation's health reform law. The law has a tremendous amount in store for children and families of all income levels...
- Recent "medicaid Reforms" In Illinois: How Do They Impact State Implementation Of The Aca?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers states financial and health care coverage opportunities but also imposes administrative and structural requirements for states to meet in a very short timetable. There is, however, substantial federal money available...