Chambana Sun

In a March 20 Facebook post, Sen. Paul Faraci encouraged individuals who have Medicaid coverage to make sure their information is correct.

“Medicaid members! Don’t risk losing your health insurance,” he wrote. “Update your address with Illinois Medicaid. Illinois Medicaid needs to send you paperwork. To keep your health insurance, use an address where mail can always reach you. Updating your address is easy, fast and free. Call 877-805-5312 from 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m. or visit medicaid.illinois.gov. If you use a TTY, call 1-877-204-1012.”

Statista noted approximately 84 million people were enrolled in Medicaid in 2021.

Faraci's reminder comes as the Pritzker Administration launches a "Remember to Renew" program. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services' public awareness effort, coined Ready to Renew, is a multi-platform outreach campaign that includes paid advertisements, print, digital and broadcast communication, and grassroots outreach to help Medicaid customers ensure they are ready for required upcoming coverage renewals. "We are doing everything we can to preserve coverage for everyone who is eligible," said HFS Director Theresa Eagleson. "Historically, almost half the people who lose coverage did not respond to their renewal notice. If everybody pitches in to spread the word and help customers get ready, we can make a huge difference in the tragic gap in health equity for hundreds of thousands of people."

The White House noted the GOP had plans to cut into Medicaid, adding 69 million people are at risk to lose services covered by Medicaid.

Continuous coverage ends on March 31. State officials report, the first Medicaid enrollees who will be going through the re-started redetermination process are those with June renewal dates and will receive their renewal notices in early May, those with July renewal dates will receive their renewal notices in early June, and on throughout the year. Officials stated, if someone doesn’t submit their renewal or doesn’t qualify anymore, they may lose coverage a month after their renewal due date. For people whose renewal date is June 1, they may lose coverage as early as July 1.

To learn who is eligible for Medicaid, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Service’s website.

For those who are denied due to income, Medicaid qualifies as previous coverage and people can transfer to available work-based health plans or visit getcoveredillinois.gov to shop for quality, affordable coverage provided under the Affordable Care Act.

Faraci’s term is expected to end in 2027.

Faraci was appointed to the 52nd Legislative District to replace the late State Senator Scott Bennett. He has served as the City of Champaign Township Assessor, Champaign City Council from 2011-2017 and Deputy Mayor City of Champaign 2015-2017.