Get help with Medicaid and Medicare benefits
To make an appointment for Benefits Assistance, please call (630) 526-7912 or (847) 278-9823.
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) 526-7912 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.
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, 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).
- Applying for the State of Illinois Medicaid-like program for immigrant adults and seniors who don’t otherwise qualify for Medicaid (Ages 42 years and up)
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 goalsAll 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.