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Changes to Medicaid
renewals

A new federal law, HR 1, is changing some Medicaid requirements. Many of our members will not be affected, but some will.

We want to make sure every member knows what’s coming so they can be prepared when it’s time to renew. Keep reading to learn more about these changes and what you can do now to prepare.

1

Get ready

How to be sure you get notified if the changes affect you

These new Medicaid rules won’t affect everyone. But if these Medicaid changes do apply to you, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) or Medicaid Illinois will contact you before you need to take any action. That’s why the most important step right now is making sure your contact information is up to date. This helps ensure you receive important notices about your coverage.

Click the button below to fill out a quick address update form. You can also update your address through Manage My Case or by calling 1-877-805-5312.

Update your address today

2

Get the facts

What’s changing and how you could be impacted

These new rules will affect some members based on how they qualify for Medicaid.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) adult members: new work and renewal requirements

This may affect you if you’re 19 to 64 with no children at home and are not disabled, not pregnant, or on Medicare. However, only the state of Illinois can confirm if you are affected by this change. You can check Manage My Case to learn more.

Starting in 2027, some adults may be required to engage in work, school, volunteer, community service, or training to get or to keep Medicaid coverage. They will also have to renew their Medicaid coverage every 6 months instead of every 12 months.

There are a few ways to meet these new work requirements:

  • Working
    Working at least 80 hours a month, or earning at least $580 a month
  • School
    Going to school at least part time
  • Job training
    Participating in a work or job training program (80 hours a month)
  • Volunteering
    Volunteering in the community (80 hours a month)

Note: You can combine any of the activities listed above to meet the required 80 hours. Once work requirements apply, the state looks for even one month of $580 or 80 hours since your last renewal.

These new requirements will generally apply to adults ages 19 to 64. Some members will be exempt, including those who:

  • Are a parent, guardian, or caretaker of a child 13 or younger
  • Are a caretaker for someone with a disability
  • Are pregnant, or gave birth in the last 12 months
  • Are in foster care or have aged out of foster care (up to age 26)
  • Subject to SNAP work requirements and are not exempt. Learn more about SNAP work requirements.
  • Already meeting TANF work requirements
  • Are a veteran with a total disability rating
  • Are an American Indian or Alaska Native
  • Participating in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment rehabilitation program
  • Are an inmate of a public institution
  • Are considered medically frail
  • Additional exemptions as determined by HFS

For a complete and up-to-date list, visit hfs.illinois.gov.

Even if you are exempt from the work requirements, you will still need to renew your Medicaid coverage every 6 months.

Remember, HFS will contact you if these changes apply to you.

Update your address to make sure you get important information about your coverage, and open mail from the state of Illinois right away.

These links will take you to websites run by HFS.

Coverage changes for some non-citizens

This may affect you if you’re a refugee, asylum seeker, or T visa holder. However, only the state of Illinois can confirm if you are affected by this change. You can check Manage My Case to learn more.

Starting October 2026, some immigrants will no longer qualify for Medicaid. This includes, but is not limited to, refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees, and survivors of trafficking or domestic violence. If this applies to you, you will get a letter in the mail from the state of Illinois. Update your address to make sure you can get letters from the state of Illinois.

Some non-citizens will still be eligible for Medicaid coverage, including:

  • Children under 19 years old
  • Pregnant people
  • Naturalized citizens
  • Lawful permanent residents who meet or are exempt from the 5-year eligibility bar
  • Certain Cuban and Haitian entrants
  • COFA migrants (from Marshall Islands, Micronesia, or Palau)
  • Individuals enrolled in certain state-funded programs

For a complete and up-to-date list, visit hfs.illinois.gov.

Even if you no longer qualify for Medicaid coverage, there are other ways you can get the healthcare you need.

Remember, HFS will contact you if these changes apply to you.

Update your address to make sure you get important information about your coverage, and open mail from the state of Illinois right away.

These links will take you to websites run by HFS.

3

Get answers

FAQs on Medicaid changes

Have a question that’s not listed here? Call Member Services at 866-606-3700 (TTY: 711).

No. Most people are not affected by this change. Many people who would be impacted are exempt, including children, people 65 and older, pregnant members, and parents of young children. See a full list of exemptions. If you’re affected, HFS will contact you directly. Update your address to make sure you can get mail from the state of Illinois.

All members who are affected will get a notice from HFS. Make sure your address is up to date so you don’t miss important information about your renewals. You can also log in to abe.illinois.gov and select “Manage My Case” to see if you are in one of the affected groups. You’ll also get updates by text and email from Meridian.

It depends on your immigration status or visa type. Some immigrants will no longer be eligible for Medicaid starting October 2026. Coverage for children, pregnant people, and several other groups is not changing. If your eligibility is changing, you will get a letter from HFS. Update your address to make sure you can get letters from the state of Illinois.

Working, going to school, job training, volunteering, or community service can all count. The requirements are slightly different for each:

  • Working: You need to work at least 80 hours a month, or earn at least $580 a month
  • School: You need to be going to school at least half-time
  • Job training: You need to participate in a work or job training program for at least 80 hours a month
  • Volunteering: You need to volunteer for at least 80 hours a month

No. Both require recipients to show 80 hours of work, volunteer, or community service activities. However, individuals do not need to meet work requirements for both Medicaid and SNAP. If you’re already meeting SNAP work requirements, you are exempt from the Medicaid work requirements.

HFS will reach out to you directly if you need to take action. That’s why it’s so important to keep your contact information current. Update your address with a quick online form, through Manage My Case, or by calling 1-877-805-5312.

You’ll usually have 30 to 60 days to enroll in another plan. If you’re a qualified immigrant, you can access Emergency Medicaid or get care at a Federally Qualified Health Center or free clinic.

Yes. If your situation changes, you can reapply for Medicaid at any time. Visit abe.illinois.gov to apply.

Questions? Contact us.

Call us with your Medicaid renewal questions.

Meridian Member Services
866-606-3700 (TTY: 711)

Monday–Friday,
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.