Medicaid

The health insurance program for elderly (at least 65), blind and disabled people, and children and their caretakers, who meet restrictive financial eligibility standards set by the state. The Medicaid program in Illinois is administered by the Illinois Department of Public Aid. Medicaid pays for unlimited nursing home care for people who need it, and have no other source of payment. The Medicaid payment rate is lower than the daily rate paid by Medicare, or by residents who pay privately for their own care.