{"id":22006,"date":"2025-04-07T15:34:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T20:34:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pillarscommunityhealth.org\/?p=22006"},"modified":"2025-04-07T15:34:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T20:34:06","slug":"medicaid-awareness-month-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pillarscommunityhealth.org\/es\/medicaid-awareness-month-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Medicaid Awareness Month: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Medicaid Awareness Month<\/strong><\/p>\n

Medicaid has been helping low-income individuals access care since it was established in 1965 under the Social Security Act and expanded further in 2010 through the Affordable Care Act (ACA).<\/p>\n

Medicaid is paid jointly by the federal and state governments and currently covers 3.4 million people in Illinois\u2014that\u2019s 1 in 4 residents statewide. Of those covered, 44% are children, illustrating how vital Medicaid is for supporting family health and development.<\/p>\n

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What Is Medicaid?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Understanding Medicaid\u2019s benefits and eligibility can help you make informed decisions about your health care. Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program that covers the cost of medical care for people who qualify. It is available only to individuals and families with low income who meet specific eligibility criteria. Medicaid pays health care providers directly. Depending on the service, you may still be responsible for a small copay if Medicaid doesn\u2019t cover the full cost.<\/p>\n

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How Do I Know If I Qualify for Medicaid?<\/strong><\/p>\n

To qualify for Medicaid, you must meet income requirements based on the federal poverty level. Because Medicaid is administered by each state, eligibility rules in Illinois may differ from those in other states.<\/p>\n

In Illinois, Medicaid covers:<\/p>\n