| August 2026 | |
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| Provider Portal Prior Authorization Provider Notices Provider Manual Practice Updates |
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| Providers have a critical stake in building trust and overcoming healthcare obstacles |  | | Meridian research reveals that fewer than half (48%) of Medicaid enrollees seek regular preventive care, even though 70% say they are satisfied with their plan. The quantitative study involving nearly 700 Medicaid-eligible adults from various racial and ethnic backgrounds statewide indicates that trust is often conditional, being easily overridden by practical barriers. While individuals report confidence in aspects of their health plan, barriers such as transportation, confusing processes, and fear of vaccination side effects can contribute to healthcare gaps. Cultural understanding is key—members engage when there’s respect and understanding. While members feel comfortable speaking with their providers, the survey findings reinforce culturally competent care as an opportunity to build deeper trust with Medicaid enrollees. | | | | | |
| | How to strengthen trust and close healthcare gaps | | Preventive care requires structural support. Vaccinations require informational clarity, while mental healthcare requires relational trust. Consider differentiated but complementary strategies to address barriers and increase trust. How to strengthen trust and close healthcare gaps: | | • | Ask open-ended questions to uncover barriers. | | • | Use plain language. Confirm patients’ understanding before a visit ends. | | • | Demonstrate respect for cultural beliefs, health practices, and preferences. | | • | Leverage interpreter services and culturally appropriate materials. | | | The path forward is a shared responsibility. Meridian is committed to working with providers and communities to reduce barriers and support whole-person health for Illinois Medicaid members. | | | | | |
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| Preparing for upcoming Medicaid changes affecting adults covered through ACA expansion | | The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) estimates that about 700,000 Illinois adults receive Medicaid coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) expansion and may be subject to new federal work requirements beginning January 1, 2027. These ACA adults must also renew their Medicaid coverage every six months. Help your Medicaid patients prepare for these upcoming changes by using resources from the HFS Federal Resource Center, which includes provider toolkits with flyers, social media content, and key messages. | | | |
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| Updated child lead screening requirements | | Effective July 1, Illinois law requires all Medicaid-enrolled children to receive blood lead testing at 12 and 24 months of age, regardless of geography. Catch-up testing is also required for children ages 6 and under. Review our provider notice for details, including documentation requirements to fulfill the Lead Screening in Children (LSC‑E) HEDIS® measure. Updated requirements | | | |
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| YouthCare experts share mental health tips for young people and parents |  | | Heather Souba, YouthCare’s Vice President of Population Health, joined WGN News to discuss how families can help children and teens maintain their mental well-being during the summer months—with tips that are useful even when school is back in session. View the segment and access online resources: YouthCare's mental health checklist. Watch: Mental health tips for youth | | | |
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| New expert-led education: Building a culture of accessibility and inclusion | | One-quarter of U.S. adults report having a disability and experiencing barriers to equitable care in healthcare settings. That is why Meridian and the National Council on Independent Living have partnered on the Barrier Removal Fund to provide grants that help providers improve access to services for members with disabilities. Register for new online training to make your practice more accessible and inclusive. Accessibility, respect, and inclusion training | | | |
| | Quality education is in session: August webinars | | Register for an upcoming Quality Education Webinar, which will cover: | | • | Preparing adolescents for the transition to adult care | | • | Advancing outcomes in opioid use disorder | | • | Transition of care for Medicare | | • | Follow-Up After Emergency Department Visit for People with Multiple High-Risk Chronic Conditions (FMC HEDIS measure) | | • | Normalizing chlamydia screening in everyday care | | | Register: August 19 at 9 a.m. or August 25 at noon | | | | | |
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| Delivery of home blood pressure monitors is available |  | | The American Heart Association recommends home monitoring for all people with high blood pressure. Meridian’s in-network durable medical equipment (DME) providers help eligible members easily obtain blood pressure monitors, delivered directly to their doorstep. In-network DME providers | | | |
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| Fee schedule updates, rate changes, & billing updates | | Claim alerts and known issues are posted on our website, along with updates about proactively reprocessing claims. Claims should not be resubmitted unless otherwise indicated. For billing questions, contact your assigned Provider Engagement representative. If your practice doesn’t have an assigned representative, please complete our intake form. | | | | |
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| Meridian and our family of plans connect communities across the state to the whole‑health care they need, right where they are. | |
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| Meridian complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). | |
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