Illinois Medicaid contractor Centene Corp. under federal scrutiny over foster kids’ medical care

The two state officials who oversee the Illinois’ YouthCare program: Marc Smith, director of the state Department of Children and Family Services, and Theresa Eagleson, director of the state Department of Healthcare and Family Services. They defend the program and their oversight of it. (Sun-Times file, provided)

Federal authorities are probing a massive Illinois contract that provides health care to 36,700 foster children in response to an investigation by the Illinois Answers Project published by the Chicago Sun-Times in November.

Insurance powerhouse Centene Corp. often failed to deliver basic medical care from dental visits to immunizations, the investigation found, with some foster parents having to wait months for critical medical appointments for the abused and neglected children in their care.