Illinois Among Top States for Medicaid Redetermination

Illinois has made good progress in getting people re-enrolled in Medicaid, however more work needs to be done. Last May, the federal government ended all COVID-19 pandemic-related Medicaid changes put in place during the federal public health emergency. This means that regular, annual eligibility verifications, also known as renewals or redeterminations, must resume.

Illinois has one of the highest renewal rates among states midway through unwinding from pandemic-era continuous coverage; 78% of Illinoisans have renewed coverage based on the most current data from Kaiser Family Foundation, while on the other end, Texas leads the Nation in Medicaid disenrollment with a rate of 61%.

Just like pre-pandemic procedures, people enrolled in Medicaid will receive a renewal form in the mail which they must complete and return by the deadline to continue to receive Medicaid coverage.

How to update personal information:

1. Click Manage My Case at abe.illinois.gov.
2. Verify your address under “Contact Us.”
3. Find your renewal due date under “Benefit Details.”
4. Watch your mail and complete your renewal right away.

Protect Yourself Against Cervical Cancer

The overall rate of cervical cancer among women of all ages has stopped falling. However, successful methods for avoiding cervical cancer exist. Health care providers recommend the following:

Early detection is essential; Pap smear screening makes it possible.

• Pap smear screening—every three years for women aged 21-29, and every three years with a Pap smear, or every five years with an HPV (Human Papillomavirus) test, or combination of the two tests, for women aged 30 to 65.
• In addition, the HPV vaccine, available to women through age 26, offers protection against advanced cervical precancer.

Early detection is essential; Pap smear screening makes it possible.

Radon Awareness Month

January is Radon Awareness Month. Did you know that radon is the most common environmental cause of cancer and is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year (according to the U.S. EPA). It’s a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas.

Homes should be tested for radon whenever they are bought, sold, or renovated. Just visit radon.illinois.gov to find low-cost test kits and licensed mitigation professionals.

Find out more at Bit.ly/CDCRadonAwareness

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