As a CountyCare member, you get extra benefits and rewards on top of your regular health care coverage.
Extra Benefits & Rewards
CountyCare wants to support you and your family in staying healthy.
CountyCare Rewards Card Program
The CountyCare Rewards Card Program lets you earn rewards to spend almost anywhere Visa cards are accepted.
How it works:
Great news! CountyCare will be enhancing its Rewards Program on January 1, 2023. When you or your children go to the doctor for certain services, CountyCare will send you a CountyCare Visa Rewards Card in the mail. The card will have a cash credit on it based on the services you or your children received. Once you activate the card, you can use your rewards to pay for what you need, such as groceries, transportation, utilities, and more. Anytime you see your doctor for an eligible service, CountyCare will credit your existing card with the eligible amount.
You have six months from the date the reward is added to your CountyCare Visa Rewards Card to use the credit. After six months the reward will expire.
- Use the card to pay for items or services in the following merchant categories:
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- Utilities – electric, gas, water, phone bills, and more!
- Transportation
- Child care services
- Hardware stores
- Dental and vision services
- Clothing
- Drug store and pharmacies
- Gas
- Discount stores
- Grocery stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets
- Automotive parts and repairs
- Restaurants and fast food
- Footwear
- Used merchandise and secondhand stores
- Books
- Lodging
- Laundry, cleaning, and garment services
- Beauty and barber shops
- Repair shops
- And much more!
- Keep your card! We will add more rewards as you earn them.
- Alcohol, tobacco and firearm products cannot be purchased.
- Get the Free Smartphone App – You can keep up with the CountyCare Rewards Program on your phone. Download the for Apple or Android to check your account and balance.
- If you can’t download the OTC Card Network app, you can do the same things by logging in to https://mybenefitscenter.com/.
- If you had the old card, please discard it after January 1, 2023. It will no longer work after January 1, 2023.
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The old OTC Rewards Card, shown here, will no longer work after Dec. 31, 2022.
The new CountyCare Visa Rewards Card looks like this (below) and works anywhere that accepts Visa after January 1, 2023:
Rewards:
CountyCare will give each member 16 months and older a $50 reward for seeing their assigned PCP for an annual checkup.
CountyCare will give each member a $50 credit on their rewards card once a year for completing a health risk screening. Click here to complete the online form. You may also complete the form by texting “SURVEY” to 47181 or by contacting Member Services at 312-864-8200, toll-free at 855-444-1661, or 711 (TTY). Member Services is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
CountyCare will give each member ages 45 to 75 a $50 credit on his/her rewards card once a year for completing a colorectal cancer screening from a network provider.
CountyCare will give female members ages 21 to 64 a $50 credit on her rewards card once a year for completing a cervical cancer screening from a network provider.
Pregnant members should see their doctor regularly, including after you have your baby.
- $50 reward for visits in the first trimester
- $10 reward per prenatal visit, up to 14 visits
- $50 reward for a visit to your doctor 1-12 weeks after you have your baby
You can get rewards on your child’s card for taking your baby to the doctor.
- $50 for the first visit in the first month
- $10 for the next five visits
You get rewards on your child’s card for taking your baby for vaccinations before they turn 2 years old.
- $10 for the first 10 immunizations
Women ages 45 to 74 can earn a $50 reward each year when they get their mammogram
Members ages 6 months and older who get their flu shot from their primary care provider, pediatrician or in-network pharmacy will receive a $25 rewards on their card, once a year.
Members who are pregnant can earn a $50 reward when they complete the Notification of Pregnancy form at countycare.com under Member Resources.
Diabetic members 18-75 who visit a CountyCare doctor will add the following to their Rewards Card:
- $25 for blood tests and urine screens
- $25 for an eye exam
- $25 for filling a prescription for statin drugs for the first time
Members who follow up with their doctors after ER visits or inpatient hospital stay for behavioral health will receive the following rewards:
- $100 for seeing your doctor within 7 days after an emergency room visit or inpatient hospital stay for behavioral health; or
- $50 for seeing your doctor within 8-30 days after an emergency room visit or inpatient hospital stay for behavioral health.
Members 6 years and older who see a CountyCare doctor within 14 days after an inpatient hospital stay will receive a $20 reward.
Members ages 6 months and older can earn a $50 reward for getting the first COVID-19 vaccine.
Members who are required to complete their redetermination paperwork and are renewed will earn a $40 reward.
Members ages 9-45 who receive both HPV vaccines at least 146 days apart can earn $25 for the first dose and $50 for the second dose.
Members aged 11 and older who receive the meningococcal vaccine and booster can earn $25 for
the first vaccine and $10 for the booster.
Members aged 10-13 years who received the Tdap vaccine will earn $25.
Members enrolled in Care Management who complete the care coordination satisfaction survey can earn $15
each year that the survey is completed.
* Rewards for eligible MLTSS members
Learn more about the CountyCare Visa Rewards Card:
Brighter Beginnings for Expecting and New Parents
Brighter Beginnings is a program to help expecting families and babies stay healthy during pregnancy and after the baby is born.
This includes a variety of extra benefits and rewards to help support you during pregnancy and once your baby is born.  CountyCare Members can:
- Receive free, at-home pregnancy tests.
- Earn cash rewards for seeing their prenatal provider, baby’s doctor’s visits and immunizations.
- A free car seat, portable crib & Sleep Safe Kit, free diapers, a breast pump and more during pregnancy and after birth.
To learn more about all of the extra benefits and rewards CountyCare provides for new and expecting families, visit our Brighter Beginnings page.
Free LASIK Eye Surgery
CountyCare is the first and only Medicaid plan in Illinois that covers LASIK surgery.
What is LASIK eye surgery?
LASIK is a surgical procedure that is used to correct vision problems by reshaping the corneas. It can be effective in fixing your vision for distance and astigmatism. It may not be as effective for correcting your vision seeing things near or close up. After surgery, you may no longer need contacts or glasses.
What is LASIK surgery?
LASIK is a surgical procedure to correct vision problems by reshaping the corneas. It can be effective in fixing your vision for distance and astigmatism. It may not be as effective for correcting your vision seeing things near or close up. After surgery, you may no longer need contacts or glasses. Starting in September, CountyCare members who qualify are eligible to have LASIK surgery free of charge.
Is the procedure safe? Are there any risks?
While LASIK has been shown to be safe and effective, there can be complications or side effects. Make sure to discuss the risks and benefits with your eye doctor or your primary care provider (PCP).
How do I know if LASIK is right for me?
You will need a series of examinations to confirm that you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery. First, you need to schedule an appointment with any eye doctor in the CountyCare network for a general eye exam. If that provider believes LASIK may be appropriate, an eye care specialist with LASIK training will examine your eyes and decide if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery.
Patients who might be eligible:
- Are 21 to 50 years old*
- Are in good general health
- Have no health issues affecting eyes
- Have no active eye conditions that may affect healing
- Have a stable vision prescription for at least one year
- Do not have severe dry eye or advanced glaucoma
- Are not pregnant or nursing
- Do not have uncontrolled diabetes
*Members over 50 years old with no indication of cataracts, and who meet the health criteria, may be eligible for LASIK surgery and should schedule a general eye exam with an in-network doctor to complete the LASIK Evaluation Form
I’m healthy now but have been recently sick. Should I be able to get the surgery?
You will need a series of examinations to confirm that you are a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery.
I haven’t decided which Medicaid plan I’ll choose for next year. Is LASIK surgery covered by other insurers?
CountyCare is the first and only Medicaid plan in Illinois to cover LASIK surgery.
Will I have a copayment or other costs?
There are no costs to members for the exams and surgery. You must be a CountyCare member the day of surgery to be covered.
Can I have the surgery at my local hospital?
CountyCare only covers LASIK when the procedure is performed at Cook County Health. If you are eligible, your LASIK surgery will be scheduled within 30 days of your exam.
Can my primary care provider (PCP) test to see if LASIK is right for me?
No. You will need to see an eye doctor to confirm if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery.
Do I need a referral?
You do not need a referral from a PCP but your eye doctor will need to do an exam and complete the LASIK Evaluation Form.
Can you send me the LASIK Evaluation Form?
It can be found on the Member Resources page. If you do not have a printer, you can call CountyCare Member Services to have a form mailed to you.
How long do the effects last? Will I need to have another surgery over time?
If you are approved for the eye doctor exam, the doctor will tell you about the long-term effects of the surgery.
This is a big decision. How can I learn more? Please talk with your PCP and eye doctor about the surgery. You can also call CountyCare member services at 312-864-8200 for details or if you have questions about the evaluation process.
Who's eligible?
You will go through an eye exam and a refractive exam to determine if you are a candidate. Only a trained eye care doctor can tell you if you are a candidate for LASIK surgery. You must also be a CountyCare member the day of surgery to be covered. All LASIK eye surgery procedures will be performed at Cook County Health.
- Are 21 to 50 years old*
- Are in good general health
- Have no health issues affecting eyes
- Have no active eye conditions which may affect healing
- Have a stable vision prescription for at least one year
- Do not have severe dry eye or advanced glaucoma
- Are not pregnant or nursing
- Do not have uncontrolled diabetes
*Members over 50 years old with no indication of cataracts, and who meet the health criteria, may be eligible for LASIK surgery and should schedule a general eye exam with an in-network doctor to complete the LASIK evaluation form
Is LASIK eye surgery right for you?
While LASIK has been shown to be safe and effective, there can be complications or side effects. Make sure to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Interested? Here’s what to do:
- Print the LASIK evaluation form.
- Make an appointment for a general eye exam with an eye doctor who is in the CountyCare network. Click here to find a provider.
- Be sure to fill out all of your information on the LASIK evaluation form and bring it with you to your appointment.
- If no issues come up on your first eye exam, you will be contacted to schedule a refractive eye exam. This is a pre-surgery exam to determine if LASIK is right for you.
- If you are determined to be eligible, your LASIK surgery will be scheduled within 30 days of your exam.
Call CountyCare Member Services at 312-864-8200 for details or if you have questions.
Weight Watchers Vouchers
CountyCare members 13 and older get free vouchers to attend Weight Watchers meetings. Call Member Services at 312-864-8200 to request yours, and we will mail them to you.
Free Cell Phone
The program provides free minutes for calls to CountyCare Member Services.
Foodsmart
CountyCare members get no-cost access to a personalized nutrition and food program provided by Foodsmart. Foodsmart is a personal nutrition program that helps members create a nutrition plan that fits their health and wellness goals, and budget. We offer members a simple solution to managing their health and reaching their nutrition goals. Foodsmart connects members with their own registered dietitian, a nutrition expert who is licensed to support members with common medical conditions, like diabetes, cancer, heart conditions and obesity, through nutrition and healthy choices. Foodsmart’s digital app helps members with meal planning, shopping on a budget, and food delivery.
To Learn more about Foodsmart, and how to join for free click here.