About CountyCare

CountyCare is a Medicaid health plan for Cook County, Illinois residents enrolled through HealthChoice Illinois.

CountyCare has been awarded a four-star rating by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), making it one of the highest-quality Medicaid health plans in Cook County.

Why Choose CountyCare

Choosing CountyCare means choosing a plan that understands your health needs. Our members have access to:

More than 6,600 primary care providers, 26,000 specialists and over 70 hospitals in Chicago and across Cook County
Dental care, including oral surgeons
Vision care and free LASIK eye surgery (if eligible)
Behavioral health and substance use services
Pharmacy services, including prescriptions
Transportation to and from doctor visits
Children and family health services, including vaccinations and routine doctor visits
24-hour Nurse Advice Line
Earn cash rewards with a rewards program that promotes a healthy lifestyle

How to Enroll

Apply for Medicaid

You must be enrolled in Medicaid to join CountyCare. If you’re unsure of your status, visit HealthChoice Illinois at https://enrollhfs.illinois.gov or call Cook County Health at 312-864-8200.

Choose CountyCare

After enrolling in Medicaid, select CountyCare as your health plan. You can learn more about your health plan choices by calling 877-912-8880 or visit HealthChoice Illinois at https://enrollhfs.illinois.gov.

Keep Your Coverage

Renew your Medicaid benefits each year to stay enrolled. Visit our Redetermination page to learn more.

Your CountyCare Team

As a CountyCare member, you have a team of healthcare professionals dedicated to your well-being

Primary Care Provider (PCP)

Every CountyCare member has an assigned primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP is your personal doctor. The name and contact information for your PCP is printed on your member ID card. If your preferred PCP is not listed on your ID card, you can change it at any time. To find or change your PCP, visit the Member Portal or call Member Services at 312-864-8200.

Specialty Providers

A specialist is a doctor who cares for certain health conditions. For example, a cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in heart health.

With CountyCare, you do not need a referral to see a specialist, but your PCP will advise if you need a specialist and recommend a doctor. If you need behavioral health services, you do not need a referral when seeing a CountyCare provider.

Care Coordinators

You will be assigned a care coordinator when you become a member. Care coordinators connect you with services to keep you healthy. Your care coordinator can answer questions about your care and help you:

Navigate getting health care
Consider your choices
Find a specialist
Maximize your benefits
Coordinate your transition out of the hospital
Connect you with community resources

What you tell your care coordinator is confidential. It is shared only when needed to help plan your personalized care. You can find out who your care coordinator is by calling Member Services at 312-864-8200 / 855-444-1661 (toll-free) / 711 (TDD/TTY).

24/7 Nurse Advice Line

The best place to get advice is from your PCP. Your PCP’s office is required to have an answering service for a provider to return your call anytime day or night. If you are unsure of how to reach your PCP, CountyCare members have access to registered nurses through a 24/7 nurse advice line. The nurse advice line can help you with:

Advice on minor injuries
How to manage asthma
How much medicine to use/give
What to do if you have a headache
Questions about pregnancy and infants

Need Help?

CountyCare Member Services is available to answer your questions. Call 312-864-8200 / 855-444-1661 (toll-free) / 711 (TDD/TTY).