Illinois e-News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Nov. 24, 2025       

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is launching new coverage for home visiting services for pregnant and parenting Medicaid customers, effective Nov. 21. The newly-covered services and supports aim to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting individuals at a critical time in their healthcare journey, in order to create better health outcomes for both parents and their children.

“My administration is committed to investing in children and families across Illinois, and this new coverage will provide valuable support for pregnant and parenting individuals at an important juncture in their lives,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Access to home visiting services is just one way Illinois is working to promote birth equity, improve maternal health outcomes, and make quality health care more accessible for those who need it most.”

Covered prenatal home visits will include health education, blood pressure monitoring, behavioral health screenings, domestic and intimate partner violence education and screenings, stress management and service referrals. These services, among others, will be delivered in accordance with HFS-recognized, evidence-based and research-informed nurse and non-nurse home visiting models. 

“Every family deserves to bring a child into the world safely and to raise their kids with dignity, stability, and support. Programs like these home visits make that possible by connecting parents with care, resources, and guidance right where they live,“ said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “Birth equity is a central priority of our administration, and we are committed to investing in families across Illinois. Our goal is clear: to make Illinois the best state in the country to raise a family.”

Home Visiting services are a key part of an effort to promote more equitable maternal outcomes for all birthing persons, a key goal of the Pritzker Administration. Home visiting services will help ensure that all birthing persons in Illinois receive timely, respectful and quality care aimed at closing maternal health coverage gaps.

This coverage furthers ongoing Maternal and Child health initiatives in Illinois that are already underway. Home visiting services are the newest provider type to be added for Illinois Medicaid customers, following the launch of new coverage for Certified Doula and Lactation Consultant Services in December 2024. In January 2025, Illinois was selected to participate in the new federal Transforming Maternal Health Model, promoting birth equity through a whole-person approach to care, and in September 2025, the Illinois Birth Equity Blueprint was released, a report that outlines a roadmap for improved maternal and child health outcomes for all state residents.  

Building on the solid foundation of successful home visiting services already in place in Illinois, which currently serve more than 15,000 children annually through multiple program models, these new offerings will further support pregnant and parenting Illinoisans. Emerging evidence has highlighted the benefits of home visiting programs, as they help families access nurses and other trained home visiting professionals who can assist in navigating prenatal and postpartum care services, as well as provide health education on various milestones and help strengthen the bond between parent and child. 

According to Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) data, in fiscal year 2024, Illinois exceeded a number of national benchmarks for those receiving services. Those include 90% of caregivers receiving these services being screened for depression within three months of enrollment or three months of delivery, and 75% of children completing the most recent American Academy of Pediatrics well child visit. 

“Providing additional support for pregnant and parenting individuals in Illinois is key in promoting better maternal and child health outcomes,” said HFS Director Elizabeth Whitehorn. “Bringing these services into the Medicaid program will ensure that low-income Illinoisans have access to quality, evidence-based care to support them at all stages of the critical pregnancy and postpartum phases.”

“Every parent deserves care and support they can trust, especially during pregnancy and the early months of raising a child. Home visiting services bring that support directly to families, helping them build confidence, stay healthy, and nurture their babies in a safe and connected environment,” said Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary, Dulce M. Quintero. “When we invest in families from the very start, we strengthen the well-being of our entire community.”

“Home visiting is a proven strategy to improve health outcomes for pregnant and parenting individuals and their children.  By providing critical supports and interventions during pregnancy and postpartum, we can increase the likelihood that both parent and child will thrive and reduce the likelihood of families having to come into contact with state systems like DCFS,” said DCFS Director, Heidi E. Mueller. “Providing in-home services helps eliminate barriers pregnant and parenting individuals face in accessing quality healthcare and further enables health care staff to provide informed, individualized resources and guidance based on each family’s specific circumstances.”

“Getting every child and family off to the best possible start begins long before a child enters the classroom,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “By expanding home visiting services for expectant and new parents, Illinois is investing in healthy pregnancies, strong early childhood development, and families who are supported every step of the way. These services give parents the tools and guidance they need to ensure children can thrive from day one.”

“Expanding Medicaid coverage to include home visiting services is a critical step in our mission to improve health outcomes across Illinois,” said Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. “As a pediatrician, I’ve seen firsthand how home visiting programs can empower families and build brighter futures for parents and their children. This investment reflects the strength of cross-agency collaboration and our shared commitment to advancing birth equity in Illinois.”

“I’m extremely proud of this work that improves support for pregnant and parenting individuals,” said Secretary Teresa Ramos from the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). “This will continue our collective work to ensure that Illinois is the best state in the country to raise a family with young children. Much of that work begins with prenatal care.” 

IDEC is the first state agency that will fully focus on supporting early childhood education and services in Illinois as of July 1, 2026.

Providers seeking to enroll as a home visiting organization must be certified by the appropriate national governing body to deliver services. HFS will be hosting a Maternal Child Health Provider Town Hall on Dec. 9 to provide updates and home-visiting training. Providers interested in taking part can register here.