A North Chicago man who relies on a wheelchair and 24/7 care in a nursing home says he unexpectedly lost his medical coverage.
Paul Paoli and his brother Louis have always been close.
“He’s my younger brother and better-looking brother,” Paul Paoli said.
Several health issues mean Louis lives in a nursing home and relies on Medicaid administered through county care.
“He’s in a wheelchair, but he’s been doing occupational therapy,” Paul Paoli said.
And that means Paoli role has shifted.
“I’m his caretaker and power of attorney and all that kind of stuff,” Paul Paoli said.
But in January, Louis got surprising news at the nursing home.
“He said ‘hey, some lady just came by and said, I’m no longer on county care.’ And I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’” said Paul Paoli.
Louis relied on Medicaid for over two decades — and suddenly, it was gone.
Paul Paoli was ready to step up, but he knew he couldn’t provide the level of care his brother needed.
“I would have been making room in my house, I guess. I mean, what are you going to do? I mean, he’s family,” said Paoli.
Paul Paoli spent weeks investigating and finally found out why. Louis needed to reapply for Medicaid.
Illinois Healthcare and Family Services Director Elizabeth Whitehorn explained the re-determination process could catch some people off guard – because it just resumed for the first time since the pandemic.
“For a lot of our customers—some of them may be going through it for the first time. Because if they just got on Medicaid during the pandemic this would be the first time they’re doing it,” Whitehorn said.
Whitehorn says Medicaid beneficiaries are notified via mail. But Paoli said his brother never received that letter. “He never received a notice that, hey, by the way, you better reapply because you’re gonna lose your benefits. And I’d been managing his mail and then because of that, he got knocked off of the Medicaid,” said Paul Paoli.
Even though Paul Paoli says he wasn’t notified—Medicaid told NBC 5 responds it will reach out to you directly by mail if you are at risk of losing your coverage.
After dozens of emails and hours on the phone, Paul Paoli was eventually able to get Louis’ Medicaid coverage restored – a lifeline he’ll need for the foreseeable future.
“It’s still not a hundred percent sure … when he’s going to be able to move back home because [he has] got to do all the basic things. You gotta be able to go to the bathroom, take a shower,” said Paul Paoli.
While Paul Paoli was able to spend hours advocating for his brother, he knows there are vulnerable people at risk of losing their coverage who don’t have the same help. Paul Paoli urges every Medicaid beneficiary to pay extra attention to their coverage going forward.
“He’s dealing with his own stuff but he is appreciative. Sometimes I’ve got to yank it out of him,” Paul Paoli said.
According to County Cares, “enrollees who lose coverage have a 90-day window” to get it reinstated. To avoid losing coverage – let DHS know if your address or contact information has changed; you can do that through their website.
And starting next year— certain changes from the federal Big Beautiful Bill Act will take effect – meaning Medicaid beneficiaries will be required to go through the re-determination process every six months.
Hence then, the article about some medicaid recipients are suddenly losing coverage here s why was published today ( ) and is available on NBC Chicago ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Some Medicaid recipients are suddenly losing coverage. Here's why )
Also on site :