Low pay from Medicaid keeps Illinois doctors away from primary care

Illinois is notorious for low payments from the Medicaid program for the poor. Payments are funded by state and federal taxes but administered by Illinois health officials. Though payments can vary depending on the service provided, it's not uncommon for a physician to be paid $25 to $75 for a Medicaid patient's routine visit—20% to 30% less than what the Medicare health insurance for the elderly pays and less than half the $100 to $125 or more a private insurer would pay for the same service.