There are two programs that can help you if you are pregnant. Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility (MPE) offers immediate, temporary coverage for outpatient health care for pregnant women. Moms & Babies covers health care for women while they are pregnant and for 60 days after the baby is born. Moms & Babies covers both outpatient health care and inpatient hospital care, including delivery.

Who is eligible?

You may be able to receive coverage through either the Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility (MPE) Program if:

• You are an Illinois resident
• You are pregnant
• You meet income guidelines
• You do not have to be a citizen or a legal immigrant to get Moms & Babies
• You do not need to have a Social Security number to get Moms & Babies

What is MPE?

MPE is medical coverage provided by the state that:

• Offers immediate and temporary medical coverage
• Medical coverage is only for outpatient health services for pregnant women who meet income requirements.
• There is no co-payment or premiums

NOTE: This does not cover the cost of hospital care or delivery (you have to apply for Moms & Babies to get this coverage).

The MPE program provides you with coverage for outpatient services like prenatal check-ups, doctor visits, lab tests, prenatal vitamins, medicine, specialty medical care, eye care, dental care, emergency room care, mental health and substance abuse services, transportation to get medical care and other services. Services can start the same day you sign the application and are told you are eligible.

How do you apply for MPE?

• To apply, you must go to a MPE provider. The MPE provider decides if you can get MPE.
• The provider must prove that you are pregnant and you have to tell the provider your family's gross monthly income.
• If you are pregnant and meet the income requirements, you can get MPE.
  • You do not have to be a citizen or a legal immigrant to get MPE.
  • You do not have to have a Social Security number to get MPE.
• The provider will send you to either a doctor or clinic that accepts the MPE program. If you already have a doctor or clinic, you can ask if the doctor or clinic is an MPE provider.
• Call the All Kids Hotline at 1-866-255-5437 to find an MPE provider where you live.

What happens after you apply?

If the MPE provider verifies that you are pregnant and you meet the income requirements for MPE, you get services right away. That means you can get services the same day you sign the application if the MPE provider says you are eligible.

What is Moms & Babies?

Moms & Babies is a program for pregnant women and their babies until the baby reaches age one. Moms & Babies pays for both outpatient and inpatient hospital services for women while they are pregnant, and for 60 days after the baby is born. It also covers services for the first year of the baby's life if the mother is covered by Moms & Babies when the baby is born. Unlike other Medicaid programs, there are no co-payments or premiums in Moms & Babies.

If you already have MPE, you have to apply for Moms & Babies, too, since MPE is temporary and pays for only outpatient services. If you already have MPE when you submit a Moms & Babies application, your MPE coverage is automatically extended while your Moms & Babies application is reviewed. You can keep getting care from your doctor or clinic while All Kids decides if you can get Moms & Babies.

Who is eligible?

You may be able to receive coverage through the Moms and Babies if:

• You are an Illinois resident
• You are pregnant
• You meet income guidelines
• You do not have to be a citizen or a legal immigrant to get Moms & Babies.
• You do not need to have a Social Security number to get Moms & Babies.

How do you apply?

When you apply make sure you put on the application that you are pregnant. Make sure you tell the state or the All Kids Application agent if you are expecting to deliver more than one baby, and if more how many.

The easiest way to apply is using the Internet. You can fill in and submit a Family Care / All Kids Application online. You have to finish the application process by sending the state some documents. You can also download and print a copy of the Family Care / All Kids application. In addition, there are All Kids Application Agents available who can assist you in the application process. You can also call the state and ask that they mail you an application. Call the All Kids hotline at 1-866-All-Kids (1-866-255-5437). If you use a TTY, call 1-877-204-1012. The hotline has interpretation services available.

You can also apply with at the Illinois Department of Human Services area office called the Family Community Resource Center (FCRC). If you apply here you can also apply for Food Stamp benefits. In addition, if you don’t qualify for Family Care, staff at the FCRC can tell you about other health care programs in your area.

If your child receives All Kids already, you can call your child’s caseworker to ask to be added to the medical coverage under Moms and Babies.

If you want other services, like cash assistance or food stamps, you must go to your local DHS office to complete an application.

What happens after you apply?

The state office handling your request will notify you by mail when a decision has been made. If you qualify for Moms and Babies, the state will send you a Moms and Babies medical card.