RHI Observes Older Americans Month with Focus on Senior Wellness and Changes to Medicaid Coverage

May is Older Americans Month. This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, emphasizes prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as foundations of healthy aging. In observance, Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) encourages seniors to take an active role in managing their health that also includes understanding changes to their Medicaid coverage if they are enrolled.

The federal government is making changes that may affect some Medicaid customers nationwide starting in January 2027. Many customers will not be affected, but if these changes apply to you, Illinois Medicaid will contact you before you need to take any action.

“The most important step you can take right now is to make sure your contact information is up to date,” said Shawnna Rhine, Director of Public Relations for RHI. “Make sure your address, phone number, and email are current. This helps ensure you receive important notices about your coverage when they happen.”

You can update your information by visiting www.ABE.Illinois.gov  and click “Manage My Case.” There you can view notices, check coverage, update your information and more, all in one place. You can also update by calling 877-805-5312.

If you receive mail from the State of Illinois, open it right away. Your Medicaid coverage may depend on it.

According to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in Illinois, there are approximately 288,000 people age 65 and older enrolled in comprehensive Medicaid benefits. Seniors account for about 9% of the total Medicaid enrollment across the state, and Medicaid is the primary funder for roughly 68% of long-term and nursing facility care days in Illinois.

If you have any questions about your Medicaid coverage, or if you need help enrolling for coverage, call Chrissy or Carol at Rural Health, Inc. at 618-833-4471.

Rural Health, Inc. (RHI) is a not-for-profit organization serving Johnson, Massac, and Union counties in Illinois, designated by the federal government as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), whose mission is to provide quality services to all patients in need of healthcare while being committed to the overall health and well-being of the underserved.

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