Humana Selected for Illinois HealthChoice Medicaid Contract to Expand Statewide Access to Care
Humana has been selected by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to participate in HealthChoice Illinois, the state’s Medicaid managed care program, marking a significant expansion of the company’s role in delivering publicly funded healthcare across the state. The selection enables Humana to serve Medicaid members statewide across all 102 counties, strengthening its long-standing partnership with Illinois and reinforcing its commitment to whole-person care.
The award reflects Illinois’ ongoing efforts to modernize its Medicaid system and improve outcomes for low-income families, children, older adults, and individuals with complex health needs. Through HealthChoice Illinois, the state aims to enhance care coordination, improve access to providers, and address health disparities through managed care organizations that can deliver integrated, community-based solutions.
Humana expressed strong support for the state’s goals and highlighted its intent to build on more than a decade of experience serving Illinois residents through existing Medicaid-related programs. The company emphasized that the new contract represents not only a continuation of its presence in the state, but also an opportunity to scale its care model to reach a broader population.
Expanding a Decade of Medicaid Partnership in Illinois
Humana has been active in Illinois Medicaid programs for over ten years, primarily serving individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. These members often require complex care coordination due to chronic conditions, disability, or advanced age.
The company has supported these populations through the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI), a program designed to integrate Medicare and Medicaid benefits to improve coordination and reduce fragmentation in care delivery. More recently, Humana has also participated in Illinois’ Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE-SNP), which launched on January 1, 2026, further strengthening its presence in the state’s dual-eligible space.
These initiatives have provided Humana with experience managing high-need populations and working closely with state agencies, providers, and community organizations to improve access, reduce avoidable hospitalizations, and support preventive care.
With the addition of HealthChoice Illinois, Humana will expand beyond dual-eligible populations to serve a wider Medicaid membership base, including families, children, and individuals who rely solely on Medicaid for healthcare coverage.
Statewide Reach Across All 102 Counties
A key feature of the HealthChoice Illinois contract is its statewide reach. Humana will now have the opportunity to operate across all 102 counties in Illinois, allowing the organization to extend services into both urban centers and rural communities.
This expansion is particularly significant for underserved areas where access to healthcare providers and specialty services may be limited. Rural regions in southern and central Illinois, for example, often face workforce shortages, transportation barriers, and gaps in behavioral health services.
By broadening its footprint, Humana aims to help bridge these gaps through coordinated care networks, provider partnerships, and targeted investments in community-based programs.
Leadership Perspective on Whole-Person Care
Humana leaders described the contract as a meaningful step in advancing the company’s mission to deliver whole-person care across generations.
“It’s an honor to care for more Illinois Medicaid members and their families,” said Samantha Olds Frey, Humana’s Medicaid President in Illinois. “Our goal has always been to provide whole-person care across every generation, from children to older adults, and HealthChoice Illinois lets us do that. We’re grateful for the confidence HFS has placed in us, and we’ll keep working alongside the state, providers and community organizations to improve care and quality of life for the communities who depend on us.”
The company’s “whole-person care” model emphasizes not only physical health but also behavioral health and social determinants of health. This includes addressing issues such as housing instability, food insecurity, maternal health disparities, and access to mental health services.
Humana has positioned itself as a partner in addressing these broader social and environmental factors that influence health outcomes, rather than focusing solely on clinical care delivery.
Investment in Community-Based Health Initiatives
A core component of Humana’s Medicaid strategy in Illinois is its investment in local organizations that address health-related social needs. These initiatives are designed to support vulnerable populations and improve long-term health outcomes by addressing non-medical barriers to care.
Maternal Health Support
Maternal health remains a priority area in Illinois, particularly in counties experiencing higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality. To help address workforce shortages in this area, Humana is partnering with the Illinois Public Health Association to expand access to community health workers.
These workers play a critical role in supporting expectant mothers and new parents by providing education, care coordination, and connection to essential services. The initiative aims to strengthen maternal health infrastructure in high-disparity regions and improve outcomes for both mothers and infants.
Behavioral Health Expansion
Behavioral health continues to be one of the most pressing challenges in Medicaid populations, especially in rural and underserved communities where provider shortages are most severe.
Humana is collaborating with Southern Illinois University’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center to help expand the behavioral health workforce in these regions. The goal is to increase the number of trained professionals available to deliver mental health and substance use disorder services.
In addition, Humana is partnering with Brightpoint to support services at the Schubert Family Wellness Center in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood. This initiative is designed to strengthen community-based behavioral health access and provide integrated support services to families in need.
Housing Stability and Supportive Services
Recognizing that housing is a key determinant of health, Humana is also working with Mercy Housing Lakefront, one of the largest nonprofit affordable housing organizations in the United States.
This partnership focuses on providing transitional housing support and preventing homelessness among Medicaid members. Stable housing is strongly linked to improved health outcomes, including better management of chronic conditions, reduced emergency room visits, and improved mental health stability.
By addressing housing insecurity, Humana aims to reduce healthcare utilization driven by social instability and improve overall quality of life for members.
Alignment with Illinois Health Policy Goals
The HealthChoice Illinois program reflects the state’s broader healthcare strategy, which emphasizes value-based care, coordinated service delivery, and improved health equity.
Humana’s participation aligns with these priorities by focusing on integrated care models that bring together medical services, behavioral health support, and social services under a unified framework.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has emphasized the importance of partnerships with managed care organizations that can demonstrate strong community engagement and measurable improvements in health outcomes. Humana’s existing programs and investments in local partnerships position it as a key contributor to these goals.
Humana’s HealthChoice Illinois plan is scheduled to go live in January 2027. In preparation for implementation, the company is expected to continue building provider networks, expanding community partnerships, and enhancing care coordination infrastructure across the state.
The transition period leading up to launch will be critical in ensuring continuity of care for Medicaid members and aligning operational systems with state requirements. Humana has indicated that it remains committed to working closely with Illinois officials, healthcare providers, and community organizations throughout this process.
Long-Term Commitment to Illinois Medicaid Members
Beyond the immediate implementation timeline, Humana views its expanded role in Illinois Medicaid as part of a long-term commitment to improving health outcomes and reducing disparities across the state.
By combining clinical care management with targeted social interventions, the company aims to create a more holistic healthcare experience for members—one that addresses not only illness but also the underlying conditions that contribute to poor health.
As HealthChoice Illinois moves toward implementation, Humana’s expanded presence signals a continued shift in Medicaid programs toward integrated, community-focused care models designed to improve both access and outcomes for vulnerable populations.
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