The Affordable Care Act (ACA) enables people living with HIV to obtain health insurance (GetCoveredIllinois.gov). Insurance plans may no longer deny coverage to people living with HIV or with any other pre-existing condition.
The ACA also makes Medicaid coverage available to more Illinois residents and families, lowers Medicare prescription drug costs, and ensures the coverage of certain preventive health care services.
The Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), Continuation of Health Insurance Coverage (CHIC) Program, and Ryan White Part B can provide further assistance, beyond what the ACA does, to make health care and support services more accessible to people living with HIV.
ADAP provides FDA-approved medications to low-income HIV+ individuals. The formulary currently consists of 80 different drugs, including all anti-retroviral therapies. Learn more.
The CHIC Program helps low-income HIV+ persons in Illinois who have had to leave their employment (and therefore losing their employee health benefits) due to illness. CHIC helps to cover the costs of a single or family plan available through COBRA or the marketplace by paying up to $750 toward your monthly health insurance premium. Some Medicare recipients may qualify for this program. Learn more.
If you are currently enrolled or are interested in enrolling in the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) or the Continuation of Health Insurance Coverage (CHIC) Program, you may need to coordinate this coverage with an insurance plan available through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
There are certain insurance plans that qualify for use with ADAP and CHIC. Please click the link below pertaining to your current coverage for additional information and instructions about what you are required to do:
I am currently enrolled in Medicare
I am currently enrolled in a private health insurance plan (not Medicare)
FAQ about the Affordable Care Act/Ryan White Program
Affordable Care Act and Ryan White Part B Services – Townhall Meeting Presentation
Jeffrey Maras, the Ryan White Part B administrator at the Illinois Department of Public Health, recently presented at a town hall meeting about the Affordable Care Act and Ryan White Part B Services. Access his audio/slide presentation.
The Common Patient Assistance Program Application (CPAPA) allows uninsured individuals living with HIV and/or their providers/caregivers to use one application to apply for multiple patient assistance programs (PAPs). Learn more.
This board advises the Illinois Department of Public Health HIV/AIDS Section around a range of relevant ADAP issues concerning access to ADAP services and client rights and responsibilities. Learn more.