More than 50,000 Illinois residents will start to learn next week if medical debts have been eliminated under a new state program.

Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed a bill that will see the state partner with Undue Medical Debt, a non-profit organization, to erase $1 billion in medical debt. 

The Medical Debt Relief Pilot program targets those with a household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or someone with medical debt that equals at leat 5% of their household income. 

Eligible recipients can’t apply for the relief, and it will only involve medical debt sold from participating partners, including hospitals and healthcare systems. 

Letters arriving next week in an Undue Medical Debt envelope will inform recipients of the amount of debt that was eliminated. 

A news release Thursday said the average amount was $1,349, with the largest single award coming in at $242,136. In total, the pilot program has eliminated more than $72 million in medical debt for 52,745 Illinois residents. 

“Medical debt can be crushing for families, and I encourage our hospital partners to participate in this program to help alleviate that burden,” said Acting HFS Director Elizabeth M. Whitehorn. “This program will be life-changing for people across Illinois and continues our momentum toward a more equitable healthcare system where everyone can access quality care.”