How to Renew Illinois Medicaid
Updated August 2026
Illinois uses 12-month continuous eligibility for Medicaid. Most adults and children are not subject to mid-year redeterminations — coverage runs for a full 12-month period even if income or household circumstances change during that time. The redetermination (renewal) occurs once per year, at the end of the coverage period.
Annual
Renewal frequency
ABE
Renew online at abe.illinois.gov
60 days
Deadline to request a fair hearing
Renew through ABE's Manage My Case before your due date
The fastest way to renew is online at abe.illinois.gov using Manage My Case. You can check your redetermination due date, update your address, and submit your renewal without calling or visiting an office. Update your address now if it has changed — incorrect mailing addresses are the most common reason renewal notices are missed.
Illinois Medicaid renews annually for most enrollees
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) sends a renewal notice approximately 10 months after your coverage start or last renewal date. The notice explains what information is needed and how to submit it. If you receive a paper notice, respond by the due date shown — failing to respond on time can result in coverage termination.
Ex parte renewal: many members are renewed without any action
Illinois uses ex parte renewal — an automated process in which HFS checks state data sources (tax records, wage files, and other state databases) to verify income before contacting the enrollee. If the data confirms continued eligibility, the renewal is completed automatically and the enrollee receives a notice that coverage was renewed.
If ex parte renewal cannot confirm eligibility — for example, because income records are unavailable or have changed — HFS sends a renewal packet asking for updated information. Respond promptly. If you disagree with a renewal decision, you have 60 days from the notice date to request a hearing.
How Illinois Medicaid renewal works, step by step
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1
Ex parte renewal attempted first
HFS first tries to confirm your continued eligibility automatically using data from the IRS, SSA, and Illinois databases. If electronic verification confirms eligibility, your coverage renews without any action from you.
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2
Renewal notice sent if ex parte cannot confirm
If electronic data cannot confirm eligibility, HFS sends a renewal notice to your address on file. Keep your address current in ABE — notices sent to old addresses can be missed, leading to unintentional termination.
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3
Complete your renewal online, by phone, or in person
Log in to abe.illinois.gov, call 1-800-843-6154, or visit your local DHS office. Report any household changes since your last renewal.
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4
Submit documents if requested
HFS may request updated income, residency, or other documentation. Upload to your ABE account or mail to your local DHS office. Respond promptly — the notice will state the deadline.
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5
Receive your renewal decision
HFS issues a written decision. If renewed, your coverage continues with no gap. If denied, the notice explains the reason and your right to request a fair hearing within 60 days.
What you must report between renewals
Even with 12-month continuous eligibility, certain changes must be reported to HFS or DHS within 10 days.
- Change of address — update through ABE Manage My Case or call 1-800-843-6154
- Moving out of Illinois — coverage ends and you must apply in your new state
- A household member gaining employer-sponsored insurance that covers the entire family at affordable cost
- Income increase that may affect eligibility at renewal (not required to report mid-year for most MAGI programs, but recommended)
- Death of a covered household member
Before your renewal date — what to check
- ABE account has your current mailing address, phone number, and email
- Recent income documentation ready — last 30 days of pay stubs or most recent tax return
- Household changes reported — people moved in or out, income changes, new baby, address change
- Renewal date checked in your ABE account under "My Benefits"
Illinois and the 2023–2024 unwinding
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, federal rules prohibited states from terminating Medicaid coverage for most enrollees. When the continuous enrollment requirement ended in April 2023, Illinois processed a large backlog of renewals over approximately 12 to 14 months — the "unwinding" period, which is now complete. During that time, some enrollees lost coverage due to outdated addresses, missing paperwork, or income changes that were not caught before termination.
If you lost Illinois Medicaid coverage in 2023–2024 and were still eligible at the time, reapply at abe.illinois.gov — eligibility is based on your current situation, and you may also be entitled to retroactive coverage for up to 3 months.
Illinois Medicaid
- Renew online: abe.illinois.gov
- Phone: 1-800-843-6154