For more information on these individual programs and services, including basic documentation and qualification criteria, please continue reading below.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The Jesse Brown VA Medical Center provides comprehensive health care services to eligible Veterans in Chicago and surrounding communities. Services include primary and specialty care, mental health and substance use treatment, pharmacy services, rehabilitation, vision care, oncology, emergency care, and other medical services. Veterans may also receive assistance with enrollment in VA health care and coordination of ongoing treatment through the VA Chicago Health Care System.
Basic Eligibility:
- Individuals who served in the active military, naval, or air service and meet applicable VA health care eligibility requirements
- Certain National Guard and Reserve members may qualify based on qualifying federal service or other eligibility criteria
- Eligibility and priority group placement may depend on military service history, discharge status, disability rating, income, and other qualifying factors
- Veterans who are unsure of eligibility may apply for VA health care or contact the VA Health Benefits Hotline for an eligibility determination
Common Documentation Requested During Enrollment:
- DD Form 214 or other military discharge or separation documents, if available
- Social Security number
- Health insurance information, if applicable
- Household financial information when required for eligibility or copayment determinations
- VA disability award information, if applicable
- Additional military service records may be requested if VA cannot independently verify qualifying service
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services – Medicaid Medical Programs
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services administers Medicaid medical programs that provide health coverage to eligible low-income Illinois residents, including adults, children, parents and caretaker relatives, pregnant individuals, seniors, and people with disabilities. Depending on the program, coverage may include primary and specialty care, hospital services, behavioral health treatment, prescriptions, preventive services, and other medically necessary care. Applications are generally processed using electronic verification when possible, with additional documentation requested when information cannot be verified electronically.
Basic Eligibility:
- Illinois residency
- Eligibility under an applicable Medicaid coverage category
- Income within the limits established for the applicable program
- Compliance with applicable citizenship or immigration requirements for the specific coverage category
- Some programs have additional requirements related to age, pregnancy, disability, family status, or Medicare eligibility
Common Documentation Requested During Application or Verification:
- Proof of identity
- Social Security number, when applicable
- Proof of Illinois residency
- Proof of household income, if it cannot be electronically verified
- Citizenship or qualifying immigration documents, when required
- Information about household members
- Current health insurance information, if applicable
All Kids
All Kids is Illinois' comprehensive health coverage program for children from birth through age 18 and provides access to doctor visits, hospital care, prescription medications, dental care, vision care, preventive services, and other covered medical treatment. Children may qualify regardless of health condition, and Illinois states that immigration status does not prevent a child from being considered for All Kids coverage. Costs, if any, are determined according to the applicable coverage category, household income, and family size.
Basic Eligibility:
- Child is age 18 or younger
- Child lives in Illinois
- Household and financial information must be provided for eligibility determination
- Eligibility and potential cost-sharing depend on the child's circumstances and applicable program rules
- Immigration status does not prevent a child from being considered for All Kids coverage
Common Documentation Requested During Application or Verification:
- Proof of the child's identity and age
- Proof of Illinois residency
- Household income information
- Social Security number, if applicable
- Citizenship or immigration information when relevant to the specific coverage determination
- Information about existing health insurance coverage
Cook County Health – CareLink
CareLink is a Cook County Health financial assistance program that reduces the cost of medically necessary services received through the Cook County Health system for qualifying uninsured and underinsured patients. The program may reduce the cost of clinic visits, specialty care, laboratory services, hospital care, and emergency services, with assistance based on factors including income and household size. CareLink is not health insurance and generally applies to eligible services provided through Cook County Health facilities and providers.
Basic Eligibility:
- Cook County residency
- Uninsured status or qualifying underinsured circumstances
- Eligibility based on household income and family size
- Applicants generally must meet CareLink residency requirements
- Immigration status does not automatically prevent an individual from applying
Common Documentation Requested:
- Identification, such as a photo ID, passport, birth certificate, or other accepted document
- Proof of household income, such as paycheck stubs or employer verification
- Proof of Cook County address, such as a utility bill, telephone bill, bank statement, or other accepted residency documentation
- Information about household size
- Health insurance information, if the applicant has limited or high-deductible coverage
CountyCare
CountyCare is a Medicaid managed care health plan operated by Cook County Health for eligible Cook County residents enrolled in Illinois Medicaid through HealthChoice Illinois. The plan provides access to primary care, specialty care, hospital services, behavioral health treatment, pharmacy benefits, dental care, vision services, and other covered Medicaid benefits through its provider network. CountyCare can also help individuals determine whether they are enrolled in Medicaid and understand the process for accessing covered care.
Basic Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in Illinois Medicaid
- Must reside in Cook County
- Must be eligible to select or be enrolled in a HealthChoice Illinois managed care plan
- Continued eligibility depends on maintaining Illinois Medicaid eligibility
Common Documentation Requested During Medicaid Enrollment or Plan Selection:
- Medicaid recipient identification information
- State-issued Medicaid correspondence or medical card, if available
- Proof of identity
- Proof of Illinois and Cook County residency when required
- Income and household information for the underlying Medicaid application or renewal
- Citizenship or immigration documentation when required for the applicable Medicaid category
Cook County Department of Public Health
The Cook County Department of Public Health serves suburban Cook County through public health programs focused on disease prevention, health education, communicable disease control, emergency preparedness, environmental health, behavioral health initiatives, and community health improvement. The department also provides or coordinates specialized services such as tuberculosis services and connects residents with appropriate health and prevention resources. Some services are population-based public health programs, while others may have program-specific eligibility, residency, or clinical requirements.
Basic Eligibility:
- Primarily serves residents and communities in suburban Cook County
- Eligibility varies by individual program or service
- Some public health information, education, prevention, and referral services are available without income requirements
- Clinical or specialized programs may have additional medical or public health eligibility criteria
Common Documentation Requested, Depending on Program:
- Photo identification
- Proof of residency
- Health insurance information, if applicable
- Medical or vaccination records
- Referral or medical documentation for certain specialized services
- Income documentation may be requested by a referred provider or financial assistance program rather than by the public health department itself
Chicago Department of Public Health
The Chicago Department of Public Health works to protect and improve the health of Chicago residents through disease prevention, public health surveillance, immunization initiatives, sexual health services, maternal and child health programs, behavioral health initiatives, and connections to community-based health care. The department also helps residents locate community health centers and other providers that offer comprehensive care regardless of insurance status, often with sliding-fee options based on ability to pay. Eligibility and documentation requirements vary depending on the specific CDPH program or clinic service being accessed.
Basic Eligibility:
- Many programs are intended for Chicago residents
- Eligibility varies by service or public health program
- Many prevention, education, testing, and referral services do not have income requirements
- Certain clinical services may have age, residency, medical, or risk-based eligibility criteria
Common Documentation Requested, Depending on Service:
- Photo identification, if available
- Proof of residency for programs with geographic requirements
- Health insurance information, if applicable
- Vaccination or medical records for certain services
- Income documentation may be requested by community health centers when applying for sliding-fee discounts
ACCESS Community Health Network
ACCESS Community Health Network provides comprehensive community-based health care, including primary care, pediatrics, women's health, behavioral health, substance use treatment, chronic disease management, and preventive care. ACCESS accepts insured and uninsured patients and offers a sliding-fee program that adjusts patient costs according to income for qualifying individuals. Benefits specialists may also help patients determine whether they qualify for Medicaid or other public benefit programs.
Basic Eligibility:
- Open to individuals and families seeking health care services
- Insurance is not required to become a patient
- Sliding-fee assistance is based primarily on household income
- Patients may be screened for Medicaid or other benefit programs when appropriate
Common Documentation Requested for Sliding-Fee Assistance:
- Photo identification
- Proof of address
- Proof of household income, such as tax forms, pay stubs, Social Security or SSI documentation, or employer verification
- Insurance card, Medicaid card, or Medicare card, if applicable
- Additional documentation may be requested depending on the patient's circumstances
Erie Family Health Centers
Erie Family Health Centers provides comprehensive primary care, pediatric care, prenatal and reproductive health services, dental care, behavioral health treatment, and other preventive and supportive services. Erie serves insured and uninsured patients and offers sliding-fee discounts to qualifying uninsured patients and certain patients with high deductibles. Sliding-fee eligibility is based on household income and family size and must be periodically renewed.
Basic Eligibility:
- Individuals and families seeking health care services
- Insurance is not required to receive care
- Sliding-fee assistance is available to qualifying uninsured patients and certain patients with high deductibles
- Discount eligibility is based on household income and family size
Common Documentation Requested for Sliding-Fee Assistance:
- Proof of identification
- Proof of family or household size
- Proof of household income
- Insurance information, if applicable
- Updated financial information during periodic eligibility renewal
Near North Health
Near North Health provides community-based primary care, pediatrics, women's health services, dental care, behavioral health treatment, vision services, preventive care, and other health services. The organization offers sliding-scale fees based on household size and annual household income, allowing qualifying patients to receive reduced rates for many services. Patients may potentially qualify for sliding-scale assistance even if they have health insurance.
Basic Eligibility:
- Individuals and families seeking health care services
- Uninsured patients may apply for sliding-fee assistance
- Certain insured patients may also qualify for reduced fees
- Sliding-scale eligibility is based on household income and family size
Common Documentation Requested for Financial Assistance:
- Photo identification
- Proof of household income
- Proof of family or household size
- Proof of address, when requested
- Insurance information, if applicable
- Additional financial documentation may be requested to determine discount eligibility
Esperanza Health Centers
Esperanza Health Centers provides medical, dental, behavioral health, family medicine, women's health, pediatric, and preventive services through community-based health centers. Patients without insurance may apply for a sliding-fee discount based on income, and the organization encourages patients experiencing difficulty paying for care to contact its staff about available options. Services are designed to provide accessible care to individuals and families regardless of whether they have traditional private insurance.
Basic Eligibility:
- Individuals and families seeking health care services
- Insurance is not required to request care
- Uninsured patients may apply for sliding-fee assistance
- Discount levels are based primarily on household income and applicable program guidelines
Common Documentation Requested for Sliding-Fee Assistance:
- Photo identification
- Proof of household income
- Proof of household or family size
- Proof of address, when required
- Insurance information, if applicable
- Additional documentation may be requested based on individual financial circumstances
PCC Community Wellness Center
PCC Community Wellness Center provides adult and family medicine, pediatric care, maternal and prenatal services, behavioral health treatment, dental care, preventive services, and other community-based health programs. PCC offers a sliding-fee discount program for patients experiencing financial hardship or loss of insurance coverage, with patient charges determined according to income and household circumstances. Qualifying patients may pay significantly reduced fees for appointments.
Basic Eligibility:
- Individuals and families seeking health care services
- Uninsured and financially eligible patients may apply for sliding-fee assistance
- Discount eligibility is based on annual household income and family size
- Eligibility information generally must be updated periodically
Common Documentation Requested for Sliding-Fee Assistance:
- Proof of identification
- Proof of annual household income
- Proof of family or household size
- Insurance information, if applicable
- Additional income records may be requested depending on the source of household income
PrimeCare Health
PrimeCare Health is a nonprofit community health center organization that provides primary care, pediatric services, women's health care, dental care, behavioral health treatment, chronic disease management, and preventive health services. As a community health center, PrimeCare serves patients with different types of insurance coverage and provides income-based discount options for qualifying patients who need help with the cost of care. Financial assistance eligibility and patient responsibility are generally determined according to household income and family size.
Basic Eligibility:
- Individuals and families seeking primary or community health care services
- Patients may receive services with Medicaid, Medicare, qualifying private insurance, or as self-pay patients
- Financial discounts are available to qualifying patients based on applicable income and household guidelines
- Eligibility for individual services may vary based on age, medical need, or program requirements
Common Documentation Requested for Financial Assistance:
- Photo identification
- Proof of household income
- Proof of family or household size
- Proof of address, when requested
- Current insurance information, if applicable
- Additional financial documentation may be requested during the discount eligibility process
CommunityHealth
CommunityHealth is a nonprofit free clinic that provides primary care, specialty care, dental services, medications, health education, and other supportive health services to qualifying uninsured and low-income adults. Unlike a traditional sliding-fee health center, CommunityHealth provides care without charge to patients who meet its eligibility requirements. Prospective patients must complete an eligibility and registration process before establishing care.
Basic Eligibility:
- Must meet CommunityHealth's current income eligibility requirements
- Must generally be uninsured and not have other qualifying health coverage
- Must meet applicable residency and service-area requirements
- Applicants must complete the organization's eligibility screening and registration process
Common Documentation Requested:
- Proof of income, with a tax return preferred when applicable
- If no tax return is available, alternative income documentation such as recent pay stubs, employer statements, unemployment records, or supporter income information may be accepted
- Proof of current address
- Photo identification
- Documentation showing loss of previous insurance coverage, if previously insured
- Completed new patient registration forms
Chicago Family Health Center
Chicago Family Health Center provides primary care, pediatric services, women's health services, dental care, behavioral health treatment, chronic disease management, and other preventive and supportive health services. The organization accepts Medicaid and other forms of insurance and offers a sliding-scale discount program for uninsured patients who qualify. Its network of community health centers primarily serves communities on Chicago's South Side.
Basic Eligibility:
- Individuals and families seeking health care services
- Insurance is not required to request care
- Uninsured patients may be screened for available health coverage programs
- Sliding-scale discounts are available to qualifying uninsured patients based on financial circumstances
Common Documentation Requested for Sliding-Scale Assistance:
- Proof of household income
- Recent paycheck stubs, when applicable
- W-2 form or other income documentation
- Medicaid card, if applicable
- SNAP or food assistance documentation, when relevant
- Unemployment documentation, when applicable
- Insurance information, if the patient has coverage
Howard Brown Health
Howard Brown Health provides comprehensive primary care, behavioral health treatment, sexual and reproductive health services, HIV and STI prevention and treatment, dental care, and other specialized health and wellness services. Insurance is not required to receive primary care, and qualifying uninsured patients may receive discounted services through a sliding-fee program based on gross annual household income. Howard Brown also provides assistance with understanding payment options and available public benefits.
Basic Eligibility:
- Individuals seeking health care services may request care regardless of insurance status
- Insurance is not required for primary care
- Sliding-fee discounts are available to qualifying uninsured patients
- Discount eligibility is based on gross annual household income and applicable household information
- Certain specialized programs may have additional clinical or program-specific eligibility requirements
Common Documentation Requested for Sliding-Fee Assistance:
- Household income information
- Proof of income when required for financial assistance determination
- Household size information
- Photo identification, when requested for registration or specific services
- Insurance information, if applicable
- Additional program-specific documentation may be requested for specialized services or benefit enrollment
