- Illinois sends a medical card to people who qualify for one of the number of types of state-supported health care. To be considered for the card you must be a resident of Illinois and either a U.S. citizen or a qualified immigrant. Applicants will also need to be elderly, disabled, blind or a family that qualifies as low income.
- Medical cards come in a number of different types, depending on the program in which a cardholder is enrolled. These include the Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled program, the Moms & Babies program and the FamilyCare program. Illinois also generates medical cards for recipients of the Medicaid program.
- The Illinois medical card is a gateway to a full range of medical services. Cardholders can expect to have their doctor's visits, specialist visits, birth control, hospitalization, drugs and even their chiropractic care covered. Children also receive coverage for in-home care and comprehensive dental coverage.
- Illinois medical card holders can choose the type of medical relationship they prefer. The state offers Illinois Medical Connect, which is a managed care plan. Alternately, cardholders can choose a different HMO or a traditional fee-for-service plan. Within those plans, the cardholder can choose whatever doctor or practice he wishes.
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