At Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, we understand that changes to healthcare coverage can create questions and uncertainty. Especially for individuals and families who rely on Medicaid to access important behavioral health services.

The State of Illinois is preparing for upcoming Medicaid changes, and while many details will be released over time, there are steps you can take now to help protect your current coverage.

Phase 1: Update Your Contact Information

The first and most important step is making sure your contact information with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is accurate and up to date (update information here).

Here is what you need to do now to stay informed:

• Update your contact information at abe.illinois.gov (click on Manage My Case) so HFS can reach you with important coverage updates.
• Watch your mail. HFS will send a personalized notice if your coverage is affected. Do not disenroll on your own.
• Prepare before October 1, 2026. Schedule needed appointments and refill prescriptions while you still have coverage. 

Keeping this information current helps ensure you receive important notices, reminders, and updates about your Medicaid coverage. 

Information for Non-Citizen Medicaid Members

Some upcoming Medicaid changes may affect certain lawfully present immigrant  populations beginning on October 1, 2026.

Some of the groups that will be affected are:

• Refugees and Asylees: Individuals who left their home country for safety and don’t yet have a Green Card
• Humanitarian parolees: Individuals allowed into the United States for urgent reasons for at least one year (including Ukrainian & Afghan parole programs)
• Survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking
• Amerasian immigrants not adjusted to legal permanent resident (LPR) status
• Individuals granted withholding of removal
• Conditional entrants allowed to stay in the United States for humanitarian or safety reasons under a temporary immigration status.

Pregnant individuals and children under 19 years old will still be eligible and may qualify for other Medicaid programs.

Make sure your information and immigration status is updated with Medicaid (HFS) so that other coverage programs can be identified or coverage can be maintained. These policy changes WILL NOT affect naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain other federal immigration statuses. Additional guidance will be made available to you by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. 

Nicasa Is Here to Support You

At Nicasa, we know that access to care matters, regardless of changes in insurance coverage. We will continue to serve individuals whose Medicaid coverage changes during treatment, as well as those who are uninsured. Regardless of immigration status, Nicasa will continue to provide safe, affirming behavioral health care and social services to those who are in need of these life saving treatment programs. Contact us today if you have had a change in coverage, or employment status. Options may be available to help support your treatment needs and copays.

If you lose Medicaid coverage, you can still receive primary and preventive care. Federally Qualified Health Centers and free/charitable clinics serve uninsured and underinsured individuals regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. Nicasa is a community behavioral health and social service provider that can help, regardless of documentation status. Find other providers and services at www.illinoisfreeclinics.org and www.iphca.org/health-center-locator.

Medicaid updates will continue to develop over time, and we will share additional resources as more information becomes available.

For the latest Medicaid updates and resources from the State of Illinois, visit the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Federal Resource Center.

HFS Resource Page