Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is YouthCare?
YouthCare is a specialized healthcare program designed specifically to address the needs of DCFS youth in care and former youth in care.
With more than triple the number of providers and newly added care coordinators to help families access and navigate available benefits, 17,000 foster children (or youth in care) will transition to the new YouthCare program on September 1, 2020.
2. Why is this change happening?
With more providers than ever and dedicated care coordinators focused on finding the right services, the YouthCare program is designed to improve healthcare options and outcomes for some of the most vulnerable children in our state.
The YouthCare network already offers more than three times as many medical and behavioral health providers as the current DCFS system. Under the old fee-for-service model, families lacked advanced care coordination and had to navigate today’s complex health care system and find providers and services on their own. With YouthCare, families have a personal care coordinator who helps manage the youth’s overall healthcare, researches providers, and schedules appointments.
3. When is this change happening?
With more than triple the number of providers and newly added care coordinators to help families access and navigate available benefits, 17,000 foster children (or youth in care) will transition to the new YouthCare program on September 1.
In November, YouthCare began conducting individual screenings and assessments for DCFS youth in care. Former youth in care began directly receiving healthcare services through YouthCare on February 1.
4. How do I find a provider?
You can find a provider using our Provider Search, calling us at 844-289-2264 (TTY: 711) or emailing ILYouthCare@centene.com.
The YouthCare network offers more than three times as many medical and behavioral health providers as the old system. Additionally, Northwestern facilities and approximately 3,300 affiliated physicians recently completed a contract for YouthCare.
If your provider is not already in the YouthCare network, please contact your care coordinator or call our provider team at 844-289-2264. To help ensure a smooth transition, YouthCare has established a continuity of care period to ensure families can access current providers through February 28, 2021, even if those providers have not joined the YouthCare network. Also, YouthCare can set up a contract with a provider just for your child. Please call YouthCare at 844-289-2264 (TTY: 711).
5. My healthcare provider is not in the YouthCare network. Does this mean I have to find a new doctor?
No. YouthCare will do everything possible to keep you with your current doctor. To help ensure a smooth transition, YouthCare has established a continuity of care period to ensure families can access current providers through February 28, 2021, even if those providers have not joined the YouthCare network. The program is also reaching out to any out of network provider that families identify. Even those not choosing to join the network may be offered single-case agreements to care for an individual child.
Also, YouthCare can set up a contract with a provider just for your child. Please call YouthCare at 844-289-2264 (TTY: 711) to reach Member Services and ask for the Rapid Response Team.
6. My primary care provider is not on my ID card. When will I get a new ID card with my correct primary care provider listed?
ID cards are mailed out 7-10 business days from the date a provider is assigned to you.
7. What if my provider does not sign a contract within the 180 days, will I be able to continue to see this provider?
We will make every effort to bring your provider into our network during the first 180 days. If they choose not to contract with us, we will work with your provider to complete a single case agreement so that your child can continue to see that provider.
8. Will my child still be in the YouthCare program if they have commercial insurance? If not, how do I enroll in the YouthCare Program?
No, if you have private insurance you are not eligible for the YouthCare program.
9. If my child needs care out of state, is it covered?
We have contracts with many providers in our neighboring states. We can tell you if a provider is in our network. If they are not in network, we will work with them to bring them into our network.
10. We have Special Needs Youth and do not want them moved to YouthCare as they have many medications and specialists. What can we do?
Our YouthCare team would like to meet the needs of your child and family. However, if you decide to choose a different managed care plan, we are not able to make that change for you. Please contact HFS client enrollment services at 877-912-8880.
11. Where should we call to get errors corrected?
If any information needs to be corrected, our medical management team can escalate this to DCFS for review. You can contact us at 844-289-2264 (TTY: 711) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
12. Will Medically Fragile Technology Dependent (MFTD) be included in the YouthCare Program?
MFTD waiver children are not included and will not be a part of the YouthCare program.