You can visit a Federally Qualified Health Clinic or a free and charitable clinic.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) are clinics certified by the federal government that offer healthcare in underserved communities. The range of services vary, but can include prenatal, dental and mental health options on top of primary care needs. All FQHC clinics serve anyone who is low income regardless of immigration status. Costs are on a sliding scale, and most do not cost more than $40 for a regular visit. You will need proof of Illinois residency and identification. To find a FQHC clinic near you, visit: www.fqhc.org.

Free clinics are volunteer-based, safety-net health care organizations that provide a range of medical, dental, pharmacy, and/or behavioral health services. All clinics serve anyone who is low income regardless of immigration status at no cost to economically disadvantaged individuals. You will need proof of Illinois residency and identification. To find a free clinic near you, visit the Free and Charitable Clinics Map.

For emergency care, you have the right to visit your closest hospital emergency room regardless of your immigration or insurance status.

You have a right to request an interpreter. Hospitals may provide an interpreter for you in person or via phone.

According to Illinois state law, Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act, hospitals have a legal obligation to provide financial assistance to uninsured individuals because they do not pay property taxes. Sometimes hospitals refer to this assistance as financial assistance or charity care.

Yes. Note that hospitals and clinics will ask about your Illinois residence to prove that you live in Illinois. They will also ask about your immigration status to help you apply and enroll in the best health program available. Due to a federal law known as HIPAA, hospitals and clinics cannot share any of this information with immigration or the federal government.

For emergency treatment, undocumented Illinois residents can qualify for Emergency Medicaid when visiting a hospital’s emergency room. Coverage is available until the patient is stabilized or for a maximum of 30 days. End-Stage Renal Disease dialysis treatment is covered by this Medicaid program as well as some cancer-related medication and treatment.

To qualify, the emergency has to have occurred suddenly and unexpectedly, caused by injury or illness, and requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious jeopardy to the patient's health, or serious impairment to bodily functions or parts. You will need proof of income, proof of Illinois residency, and identification.

You will need to complete the financial aid application provided to you by the hospital. In most cases, the hospital applies on your behalf. If the hospital does not apply on your behalf, you have the right to request and submit an application.

Applying for hospital financial assistance / charity care does not affect your immigration status.

Due to a federal law known as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), hospitals and clinics cannot share any of this information with immigration or the federal government. Any application, such as emergency Medicaid or financial assistance, submitted is kept confidential, meaning your information cannot be shared with any other entity without your consent.

Federal law prohibits the sharing of personal information between immigration officials and federal agencies that administer health (Medicaid) and social services (SNAP). Despite this, the Trump Administration has found a way to share this personal information with immigration officials, in defiance of federal law.

You should balance the benefits with the risks of potential sharing information. Only you can decide what's best for your family. If the Department of Homeland Security already knows your current address, applying for benefits does not increase your risk. There is no added risk in continuing programs if you are already getting services and you have not moved. Dropping out of vital support programs won't erase the data you have already. provided, and keeping Medicaid or SNAP will help your family.

When applying for Medicaid or SNAP, you do not need to and should not share the immigration status or Social Security numbers for family members who are not applying for benefits for themselves.

Illinois and other states are fighting back! Illinois Attorney General Raoul has joined a coalition of states in filing a lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from unlawfully weaponizing this data. ICIRR will share updates on this case when it is heard in court.

FQHCs use two methods to provide low or no cost medication to patients. Ask about the 340B Medication Pricing program, which gives clinics the most common medications at the lowest rate possible. Clinics can also contact patient assistance programs at pharmaceutical companies.

NeedyMeds and RX Outreach are national non-profits that help patients find affordable medications. Visit

www.needymeds.org

or

www.rxoutreach.org

for more information.

Below is a list of programs for low-income families who meet the income level requirements. You can apply directly at abe.illinois.gov.

• Moms & babies: Pregnancy care and postpartum care, up to 60 days for mother and one year for child.

• All Kids: Insurance coverage for children 18 years of age and younger

• New Health Insurance Program for Seniors: Coverage for adults 65+ who do not qualify for Medicaid.

Other programs for immigrants who are uninsured or underinsured:

• Carelink: For Cook County residents, www.cookcountyhealth.org/patients-visitors/billing-insurance

• Access to Care: For residents of suburban Cook County and northwest Chicago, www.accesstocare.org

• Access DuPage: For DuPage residents, www.accessdupage.org.

For assistance with your application, call an Immigrant Family Resource Program partner. Visit our IFRP page.