Today, the National Association of Counties (NACo) honored CountyCare with two Achievement Awards for its efforts to improve health equity and provide quality Medicaid coverage to Cook County residents.

NACo’s Achievement Awards highlight effective, innovative government programs that improve services for residents, advance equity and respond to critical needs across communities. CountyCare is the only Medicaid health plan in Illinois owned and operated by a public health system.

CountyCare received recognition for its community-based outreach programming, including Medicaid redetermination events, health fairs and baby showers, as well as its efforts to share member stories and promote preventive care.

“These national awards are a reflection of the dedication, innovation and excellence of the staff at CountyCare,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “Their work underscores our commitment to building a healthier, more equitable county – one where every resident has the opportunity to thrive.”

Over the past year, CountyCare has hosted nearly 250 Medicaid redetermination events and assisted more than 12,000 people with renewing their healthcare coverage. The plan’s outreach efforts bring enrollment assistance and healthcare resources directly into communities, helping members maintain coverage and access to the care they need.

That work will become increasingly important in 2027, when changes to federal Medicaid eligibility requirements are projected to result in hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents losing health coverage. For more information about these changes, visit GetMedicaidFacts.com.

CountyCare was also awarded for its strategic initiatives to enhance and maintain plan quality. With nearly 380,000 members, the plan is the largest Medicaid managed care plan in Cook County and the highest-rated plan in Illinois by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. CountyCare earned a four-star overall rating and five stars for member satisfaction in 2025. Eighty-nine percent of CountyCare members chose to remain with the health plan when they renewed their coverage last year.

“It’s a testament to CountyCare’s quality and the trust we’ve built with our members that so many choose to stay with us year after year,” said Aaron Galeener, chief administrative officer for CountyCare. “But trust is built through more than providing high-quality healthcare benefits. It means meeting people where they are, understanding the challenges they face and connecting them with the resources they need to live healthier lives. That commitment is at the heart of the work being recognized by NACo.”

CountyCare provides comprehensive medical coverage along with no-cost prescriptions, resources for expecting parents, transportation assistance for medical appointments and other benefits designed to support members beyond the doctor’s office.

CountyCare proudly serves individuals enrolled in Opción de Salud Illinois, the state’s Medicaid managed care program. 

To view a full list of Cook County programs that received a NACo award, click aquí.