(630) 892-4355 
Get help with applying for Medicaid, Medicare, & the Health Insurance Marketplace
To make an appointment for Benefits Assistance, please call (630) 892-4355.
Day and Evening appointments are available in Aurora, Elgin, and Bolingbrook.
We can assist with your MPE in Aurora, Elgin, Bensenville, Bolingbrook, Joliet, and Romeoville.
Bring these items with you to a benefits assistance appointment:
- Driver’s license or state ID
- Proof of residential address from a mailed document, such as a utility bill
- Social security numbers for all family members
- If you are a permanent resident, bring permanent resident card for all family members.
- Most recent tax return
- Employer and income information for every member of your household (for example, pay stubs from the last 30 days,
W-2s and documents from all other sources of income) - If you are self-employed, bring your self-employment records
For new Medicaid patients, any time during the year, we can help you complete a health insurance application for:
- Adult Medicaid
- Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility (MPE)
- Moms and Babies
- All Kids
For existing Medicaid patients who have another Primary Care Provider (PCP) but have a health plan accepted at VNA we can help you make the switch to a VNA PCP any time during the year.
For uninsured women with a recent diagnosis of breast or cervical cancer, VNA can complete a ‘fast track’ application to get health insurance coverage for your treatment within 1-2 weeks. Contact our Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program at (630) 892-4355 x 8535.
For new Medicare patients, we can help you learn about Medicare insurance AND help you make a smooth transition from Medicaid (or another health insurance) to Medicare. VNA accepts Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Medigap/Supplementary Plans, and Medicare Advantage Plans.
NOTE: If you have a non-Medicaid health Insurance plan through the Marketplace and you need RENEWAL assistance, we have found the quickest way to get your answers is to phone the Marketplace Call Center directly for immediate assistance.
Phone (800) 318-2596 to speak with a trained Marketplace representative.
Important Health Insurance Dates and Updates
Health insurance rules and enrollment dates can change. VNA Health Care can help you understand your options and find out what coverage may be available to you.
Medicare Open Enrollment: October 15–December 7
If you have Medicare, now is the time to review your health and prescription drug coverage for 2027.
During Open Enrollment, you can change Medicare Advantage plans, change your prescription drug plan, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
Other Important Medicare Enrollment Dates
January 1–March 31: If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change to your coverage during this period.
Turning 65? You can usually sign up for Medicare starting three months before the month you turn 65 and ending three months after that month.
Health Insurance Marketplace: November 1, 2026–January 15, 2027
Need health insurance? You may be able to find a plan through Get Covered Illinois, the state’s official Health Insurance Marketplace.
You can apply for coverage, compare plans, and see if you qualify for help paying for insurance.
Had a major life change? If you lost health insurance, got married, moved, or had a baby, you may be able to sign up outside of Open Enrollment.
Visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov or call 1-866-311-1119 for help.
New Medicaid Work Requirements Begin January 1, 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, some adults with Medicaid must meet new work or activity requirements to qualify for or keep their health insurance.
Who may be affected?
The new rules apply to certain adults ages 19–64 who have Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act adult program. Not everyone with Medicaid will be affected.
Depending on your situation, you may meet the rules through work, school, volunteering, or other approved activities. Some people do not have to meet these requirements.
If you already have Medicaid, the new rules will apply at your first Medicaid renewal on or after January 1, 2027. People affected by these rules will also need to renew their coverage every six months.
What should you do now?
Check your Medicaid account, make sure your address is up to date, and watch for letters from the State of Illinois.
Visit ABE Manage My Case to review your benefits and notices.
Learn more about the new Medicaid rules.
Health Insurance for Children and Families
All Kids: Children under age 19 in Illinois may qualify for low-cost or free health insurance. Eligibility depends on family income and other program rules. Children may qualify regardless of immigration status, and some children with private insurance may also qualify.
FamilyCare: Parents and relatives caring for children may qualify for health insurance.
Moms & Babies: Pregnant women and their babies may qualify for health coverage.
You can apply for these programs at any time of year.
Need Help with Your Health Insurance?
VNA Health Care’s Benefits Assistance team can help you apply for health coverage, understand your options, and complete Medicaid renewal forms.
Call (630) 892-4355 x8837 to make an appointment with our Benefits Assistance team.
We are here to help you get the health care you need.
Benefits Assistance
At VNA Health Care, we never turn away a patient based on their ability to pay. No matter what type of health insurance coverage you may have (private health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare, Medicaid), or whether you are uninsured or under-insured, you will receive quality medical care from our board-certified healthcare providers at each visit. We encourage patients to apply for financial assistance at the time of registration. Bring identification if you have it, proof of address and proof of family income.
Affordable Health Care for Everyone
For over a century, our not-for-profit VNA Health Care clinics have helped individuals and families in the suburban Chicago area meet all of their primary healthcare needs. VNA’s comprehensive services include annual checkups, wellness exams, mental and behavioral care, pregnancy care, dental care, vision services, prescription drugs, vaccinations, home health services, children’s health services, physical therapy and more.
We recognize that patients and their families may need assistance paying for health care services if their insurance doesn’t cover the entire bill or if they don’t have any insurance. VNA understands that high medical expenses may present a financial barrier to care. That is why VNA offers discounts based on family size and income with the goal of improving health outcomes within the community.
All patients, including Medicaid beneficiaries, qualify to receive help from VNA benefits assistance to determine if they qualify for additional benefits or programs. VNA has dedicated financial counseling staff who can help you in person or by phone. Our team can help with:
- Applying for federal and state assistance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid programs (for eligible children, pregnant women, and adults).
- Completing a Marketplace coverage application.
- Understanding managed care options.
- Filling out Medicaid redetermination forms.
- Fast-tracking applications to get insurance-covered services within 2 weeks or less (for uninsured women diagnosed with cancer).
Difference Between Medicaid and the Marketplace
The Medicaid program – which allows people to get low-cost or free health insurance coverage – was modified to cover everyone with income below 138% of the federal poverty level (as of 2023, the federal poverty level is at or below $13,590 for one person; $19,720 for a married couple with no children; and $27,750 for a family of four). Medicaid benefits cover a wide range of services including outpatient care, hospital care, and wellness and preventive services.
With that said, if your income is too high to be eligible for Medicaid coverage, you can buy private insurance from Health Insurance Exchange, also known as Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace allows you to compare different health insurance options and find a plan that is best for you.
Families with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level (i.e., up to $111,000 for a family of 4) are eligible for financial assistance to pay for health insurance in the form of an income tax credit. If you have employer-sponsored insurance or Medicare, or you are not a legal permanent resident, you don’t qualify to buy health insurance from the Marketplace.
Advantages of VNA Health Care Benefits Assistance Services
Our benefits assistance services are designed to help underinsured and uninsured patients cover the cost of all services at VNA Health Care clinics, including COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, hospital stays, lab tests, and clinic visits. If you live in Aurora, Bolingbrook, Bensenville, Carol Stream, Elgin, Joliet, Romeoville, Wheaton, or surrounding suburban Chicago areas, our team will be happy to help you apply for state and federal law financial assistance programs.
Additionally, we offer care coordination services for all patients to make sure that they are receiving the care that they need at VNA and that they avoid expensive and unnecessary visits to the emergency room. VNA case managers are patient advocates who support you in receiving the health care you need. In addition to answering your questions, a case manager can help you:
- Make referrals for services not available at VNA
- Work with your insurance company to authorize services
- Understand Medicare/Medicaid/insurance coverage
- Complete healthcare paperwork
- Follow up to ensure your outside services are contributing to your healthcare goals. All VNA Health Care patients are eligible for these benefits, regardless of their insurance or lack thereof.
All VNA Health Care patients are eligible for these benefits, regardless of their insurance or lack thereof.
Need to Apply for Health Insurance? Our Dedicated Team Is Here to Help
While open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace begins in November each year, we can help you apply for state Medicaid programs, private insurance, or renew your current plan year-round. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has made many changes to the Medicaid program over the years, such as enhanced federal Medicaid matching funds. If you applied for Medicaid benefits before 2014 and didn’t qualify, the expanded Medicaid services may now allow you to receive low-cost or free health insurance coverage.
We have a team of trained professionals who can provide you with direct financial and medical assistance in English and Spanish. We aim to help you access high-quality healthcare services with dignity and respect, regardless of your ability to pay. If you would like to learn about financial aid and any cash assistance programs from the Illinois Department of Human Services you might be eligible for, we can help with that too.
You can reach out to our staff via phone by calling our health benefits hotline at (630) 892-4355, Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Click here to request an appointment online.