Medical cards can help low-income or no-income people afford prescription medicines.
Illinois medical cards are available to low-income or no-income elderly people and to families for children to receive checkups, school physicals and immunizations. Young single mothers are able to obtain medical cards for prenatal care. Illinois medical cards are provided by government programs through the office of the Department of Human Services and are good for up to one year. Recipients have to reapply annually. Medical care and prescriptions are provided at little or no cost through the program.
Instructions
1. Qualify as a candidate eligible to participate and receive medical assistance program benefits. To qualify, you must fall into one of these categories: blind, disabled or aged (65 or over), raising children under the age of 19, or pregnant. You must also meet income requirements, which vary between counties in Illinois.
2. Locate a local Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) office according to your current ZIP code. Staff are available to assist you in beginning the application process. You can obtain an application for a medical card from the DHS Web site as well.
3. Fill out the application and return it to a local DHS office. Immediate instructions are given only in an emergency situation, meaning the applicant is homeless or has absolutely no means of contact. However, in non-emergency cases, the applicant waits until a case worker pulls the case for review. The applicant is notified of progress via phone.
4. Schedule an appointment date to be interviewed by a case worker at DHS. All applicants have to be interviewed in order to qualify for benefits. You'll be asked questions about household income, budget, family size and work status, and a determination will be made based on the application and interview.
5. Look for correspondence from DHS in the mail. An official letter from the Department of Human Services will notify you of your application status. If approved, the letter will give you an 800 number to call to set up mailing for the medical card. You'll need to establish a personal identification number (PIN), and you must maintain ongoing contact with an assigned case worker upon acceptance.
Tags: case worker, Department Human, Department Human Services, Human Services, medical cards, Illinois medical