Moving to or from Illinois with Medicaid
Moving TO Illinois
Illinois Medicaid does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Illinois resident applies fresh through Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Illinois's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Illinois
Leaving Illinois ends your Illinois Medicaid case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) ↗ (application page)
Illinois Medicaid at a glance
| Program name | Illinois Medicaid |
|---|---|
| ACA Medicaid expansion | Yes — adults covered on income |
| Adult income limit | 138% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | up to 45 days |
Common questions
Who runs Medicaid in Illinois?
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Illinois make new residents wait for Medicaid?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for Medicaid. You apply as soon as you live in Illinois; eligibility is decided on Illinois's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Illinois?
HFS directs customers to manage their case — including renewals and updates such as address changes — through the ABE (Application for Benefits Eligibility) 'Manage My Case' portal; use it or your local Family Community Resource Center to update or close your case.
Every move involving Illinois
From Illinois to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Illinois from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.
- HFS Medical Clients — accessed 2026-08-08
- HFS Medical Programs (ACA Adult, 138% FPL) — accessed 2026-08-08