Enrollment Materials

HealthChoice Illinois

Most people with an HFS medical card are required to enroll in HealthChoice Illinois, the Medicaid managed care program. The HealthChoice Illinois program is mandatory (required) in all counties in the state.

If you are required to enroll in HealthChoice Illinois, you will receive an enrollment packet in the mail. The packet will include:

• An enrollment letter for Cook County residents, asking you to choose one of 7 health plans and a primary care provider (PCP)
• An enrollment letter for residents of all other counties, asking you to choose one of 5 health plans and a primary care provider (PCP)
• HealthChoice Illinois Plan Report Card with tips on Choosing a HealthChoice Illinois Plan on the back
  • for Cook County
  • for all other counties
• A brochure explaining How to Enroll with a Health Plan
• A comparison chart that lists all your health plan choices and their extra benefits
  • for Cook County
  • for all other counties

HealthChoice Illinois plans also serve persons who get Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS). This includes seniors and persons with disabilities who get full Medicare and Medicaid benefits and live in a nursing home or long term care facility, or who get home and community based waiver services.

LTSS clients who live in counties with the Medicaid-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) but who choose to opt out of MMAI must enroll in a HealthChoice Illinois plan. 

The MMAI counties are listed below under “Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative.” An LTSS client can choose to re-enroll with MMAI at any time. 

The enrollment packet for LTSS clients living in a MMAI county will include:

• An Enrollment Letter asking you to choose a HealthChoice Illinois health plan for your long term care and waiver services, or an MMAI plan for all your Medicare and Medicaid benefits, including prescription drug benefits (Medicare Part D) 
• A brochure on How To Enroll in a Health Plan
• A comparison chart that lists all your health plan choices and their extra benefits
  • for Cook County
  • for all other counties
• HealthChoice Illinois Plan Report Card for Cook County with tips on Choosing a HealthChoice Illinois Plan on the back

Delay in HealthChoice Illinois Program for LTSS Clients AND Waiver Clients Only

LTSS clients who live in non-MMAI counties or individuals receiving waiver services in the expansion counties: the program has been delayed. Such clients will receive a letter explaining the delay in the HealthChoice Illinois program for dual-eligible (Medicare/Medicaid) clients receiving long-term care AND for clients who receive services from the Community Care Program, Home Services Program, Supportive Living Program or are in a nursing home or long-term care facility.  Please see the LTSS and Waiver Clients in non-MMAI Delay Letter.

Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative

Another managed care program in Illinois is the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI). If you are an adult with full Medicare and Medicaid benefits, and you live in one of the counties listed below, we will send you an enrollment packet about the MMAI program.

The packet will include:

• An MMAI Enrollment Letter asking you to choose a health plan and a primary care provider (PCP) for all your Medicare, Medicaid and prescription drug benefits or a health plan for just your long term care and waiver services
• A brochure explaining How to Enroll with a Health Plan
• A comparison chart that lists all your health plan choices and their extra benefits

The MMAI program is available in these counties: