May 3, 2023

Gov. Pritzker Speaks at PCC Steinmetz Clinic about the Recertification Process

After Three Years of Continuous Medicaid Coverage Requirement during Global Pandemic

Ensuring quality health insurance for all Illinoisans

Oak Park, IL -- Gov. Pritzker held a press conference yesterday at PCC Community Wellness Center at Steinmetz, 3030 North Mobile Avenue, to encourage Illinois Medicaid customers to complete renewals to ensure continued coverage as Federal Pandemic-era policies end. 

During the meeting, President and CEO Toni Bush gave a heartwarming speech about growing up as a single parent in high school on public assistance.  

“I was a high school student raising a child at 16 and receiving Medicaid. Receiving assistance helped me to raise my daughter, complete my high school and college education, and put me on track to become the CEO of PCC. I am forever grateful for Medicaid and all the other services I received during that time.” Bush said.

The governor reassured Illinoisans there would not be a “coverage cliff,” where everyone loses coverage at one time. Instead, redeterminations will happen on a rolling basis through mid-2024, and all Illinois Medicaid customers’ due dates will be different so that every customer can go through the redetermination process.

Other program participants included Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, Rep. Camille Y. Lilly (78th), Theresa Eagleson, director of HFS, Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago), CPS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sofia Adaway, IDHS Secretary Grace Hou, and Steinmetz ROTC students Trenton Hanson and Josiah Navarro. Hanson and Navarro are also patients at the PCC Steinmetz Clinic. 

The entire process will begin as early as next week. For more information, Medicaid customers can call 1-800-843-6154 or visit abe.illinois.gov and select “Manage My Case” to set up an online account. Once there, customers can verify, update and check their eligibility status. New registrants can apply for the first time at Medicaid.illinois.gov.