Healthcare for All Kids
State of Illinois - All Kids Program
by Tom Mulligan
October 17, 2007
The State of Illinois provides a program called All Kids (Healthcare for All Kids). The program was designed to ensure that all kids in the state of Illinois have access to healthcare services, which includes doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, vision and dental care. It also covers special services like speech therapy and physical therapy. This program combined KidCare and Medicaid programs to become a more comprehensive program for kids. A child that is under the age of 18, is a resident of Illinois, and has gone without healthcare for 12 months, is eligible for the All Kids program. (There are also other ways a child may be eligible – for that information consult the website or call the number below). Children who already have health insurance may also qualify for All Kids depending on family income. The following is a breakdown for free access to All Kids:
- Two Person Family: under $26,000 a year
- Three Person Family: under $33,000 a year
- Four Person Family: under $40,000 a year
- Five Person Family: under $47,000 a year
- High limits for larger families
Even though healthcare access for children may not be free because of family income level, it still may be at a much reduced rate. You would need to contact the Department of Healthcare and Family Services directly and talk with a caseworker for specific situations. Below are some examples of cost that they provide in their brochure:
Example 1: A family of four that makes up to $26,000 of gross income each year does not have to pay premiums or co-payments for their children
Example 2: A family of four that makes about $26,000 to $30,000 of gross income each year does not have to pay any premiums. A family like this pays a $2 co-payment for each doctor visit or prescription. This family would pay a maximum of $100 in total co-payments in a year.
Example 3: A family of four that makes about $30,000 to $40,000 of gross income each year pays premiums of $15 a month for one child and $25 for two children. A family like this pays co-payments of $5 for a visit to a doctor, $3 for each generic drug prescription and $5 for each brand name drug. The family would pay a maximum of $100 in total co-payments in a year.
The school district is providing this information to you as an attempt to partner with outside agencies and in turn, provide more services for our students. Healthier kids make better students!!!!!!!
For more information, contact the Department of Healthcare and Family Services at 1-866-All-Kids (1-866-255-5437) or go to www.allkids.com
You can also contact your school office for a brochure on All Kids.
