Frequently Asked Questions

Meridian Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) for beneficiaries eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.

Call our Meridian Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) Member Services with any questions or concerns, or to file a grievance (complaint), at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

You should call your Primary Care Provider (PCP) with any medical concerns that you have.

The state of Illinois will soon be enrolling some members who are enrolled in Wellcare Medicare plans in a Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI). It is a program that combines Medicare and Medicaid. Members have the option of keeping MMAI. It can replace a current WellCare (Medicare only) health plan.

The state has identified those members who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid programs.

What is MMAI?

MMAI is a healthcare plan that covers Medicare, Medicaid, and prescription drug benefits. Our MMAI plan is called Meridian. It is one of the MMAI plans offered in Illinois. Meridian and WellCare are both part of Centene Corporation. That means the plan will change, but members will keep the same insurance group.

Meridian is a Medicare-Medicaid Pan.

You are eligible for Meridian if you:

• Live in our service area, and
• Have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, and
• Are eligible for Medicaid, and
• Are age 21 and older at the time of enrollment, and
• Are enrolled in the Medicaid Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled category of assistance, and
• Meet all other Demonstration criteria and are in one of the following Medicaid 1915(c) waivers:
  • Persons who are Elderly;
  • Persons with Disabilities;
  • Persons with HIV/AIDS;
  • Persons with Brain Injury; or
  • Persons residing in Supportive Living Facilities.

For other questions about Meridian, please contact Meridian Member Services at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can enroll in Meridian by contacting Client Enrollment Services for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services at 1-877-912-8880 (TTY 1-866-565-8576), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The call is free. You can also visit the Illinois Client Enrollment Services website. 

For other questions about Meridian, please contact Meridian Member Services at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

Meridian has no premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance for medical services.

In 2023 for generic drugs covered by Medicare (including brand drugs treated as generic) you will pay a $0 copay. In 2023, for brand drugs covered by Medicare, you will pay a $0 copay. 

If you have any questions or concerns about premiums and/or cost-sharing associated with enrollment in Meridian, or you receive a bill for medical or prescription services, please call Member Services at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

You can call our Member Services Department at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

Yes, we offer interpreter services for over 140 different languages. For more information, call Member Services at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

A Primary Care Provider (PCP) is a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant, as allowed under state law, who provides and manages your health care services. This can also be called a Primary Care Physician.

Your primary care provider is the person you see first for most health problems. They make sure that you get the care you need to keep you healthy. They also may talk with other doctors and healthcare providers about your care and refer you to them.

Use our Provider Search tool to locate a provider near you. You can also call our Member Services Department at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY: 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

Call Member Services at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

Some healthcare services require a "prior-authorization" before they are performed. Before you visit the doctor, these services need to be approved by Meridian. Your PCP or specialist can inform you if you need a prior-authorization and will take care of submitting the necessary information to coordinate these services.

Emergency care within the United States is a benefit covered by Meridian.

You do not need to contact Meridian for approval before receiving emergency services. If your situation is urgent but not life threatening, you should call your Primary Care Provider's (PCP's) office or Meridian at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. for help with finding an urgent care center. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

When you travel out of Meridian's service area, you may go to an emergency room (ER) or go to an urgent care clinic. Make sure you tell the provider you are a Meridian member and show them your Meridian Member ID card. Meridian will pay for your out-of-area emergency care, but routine care is not covered out of Meridian's service area (even if it is provided in an ER).

Meridian does cover some dental services. Please review your Member Handbook for more information. For a list of in-network dental providers, please visit the Find a Provider tool.

Meridian Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) for beneficiaries eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.

Call our Meridian Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) Member Services with any questions or concerns, or to file a grievance (complaint), at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

You should call your Primary Care Provider (PCP) with any medical concerns that you have.

The state of Illinois will soon be enrolling some members who are enrolled in Wellcare Medicare plans in a Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI). It is a program that combines Medicare and Medicaid. Members have the option of keeping MMAI. It can replace a current WellCare (Medicare only) health plan.

The state has identified those members who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid programs.

What is MMAI?

MMAI is a healthcare plan that covers Medicare, Medicaid, and prescription drug benefits. Our MMAI plan is called Meridian. It is one of the MMAI plans offered in Illinois. Meridian and Wellcare are both part of Centene Corporation. That means the plan will change, but members will keep the same insurance group.

Meridian is a Medicare-Medicaid Pan.

You are eligible for Meridian if you:

• Live in our service area, and
• Have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, and
• Are eligible for Medicaid, and
• Are age 21 and older at the time of enrollment, and
• Are enrolled in the Medicaid Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled category of assistance, and
• Meet all other Demonstration criteria and are in one of the following Medicaid 1915(c) waivers:
  • Persons who are Elderly;
  • Persons with Disabilities;
  • Persons with HIV/AIDS;
  • Persons with Brain Injury; or
  • Persons residing in Supportive Living Facilities.

For other questions about Meridian, please contact Meridian Member Services at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can enroll in Meridian by contacting Client Enrollment Services for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services at 1-877-912-8880 (TTY 1-866-565-8576), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The call is free. You can also visit the Illinois Client Enrollment Services website. 

For other questions about Meridian, please contact Meridian Member Services at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

Meridian has no premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance for medical services.

In 2023 for generic drugs covered by Medicare (including brand drugs treated as generic) you will pay a $0 copay. In 2023, for brand drugs covered by Medicare, you will pay a $0 copay. 

If you have any questions or concerns about premiums and/or cost-sharing associated with enrollment in Meridian, or you receive a bill for medical or prescription services, please call Member Services at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

You can call our Member Services Department at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

Yes, we offer interpreter services for over 140 different languages. For more information, call Member Services at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

A Primary Care Provider (PCP) is a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant, as allowed under state law, who provides and manages your health care services. This can also be called a Primary Care Physician.

Your primary care provider is the person you see first for most health problems. They make sure that you get the care you need to keep you healthy. They also may talk with other doctors and healthcare providers about your care and refer you to them.

Use our Provider Search tool to locate a provider near you. You can also call our Member Services Department at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY: 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

Call Member Services at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

Some healthcare services require a "prior-authorization" before they are performed. Before you visit the doctor, these services need to be approved by Meridian. Your PCP or specialist can inform you if you need a prior-authorization and will take care of submitting the necessary information to coordinate these services.

Emergency care within the United States is a benefit covered by Meridian.

You do not need to contact Meridian for approval before receiving emergency services. If your situation is urgent but not life threatening, you should call your Primary Care Provider's (PCP's) office or MeridianComplete at 1-855-580-1689 (TTY 711), Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. for help with finding an urgent care center. On weekends and on state or federal holidays, you may be asked to leave a message. Your call will be returned within the next business day.

When you travel out of Meridian's service area, you may go to an emergency room (ER) or go to an urgent care clinic. Make sure you tell the provider you are a Meridian member and show them your Meridian Member ID card. Meridian will pay for your out-of-area emergency care, but routine care is not covered out of Meridian's service area (even if it is provided in an ER).

Meridian does cover some dental services. Please review your Member Handbook for more information. For a list of in-network dental providers, please visit the Find a Provider tool.