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Stay At Home Order to be Extended
Yesterday, Gov. Pritzker announced his intent to extend the statewide stay-at-home order through the end of May. Additional industries have been deemed as essential (including garden centers/nurseries), there will be a face mask requirement in public spaces when social distancing can't be maintained, certain state parks and golf courses will be allowed to reopen under certain conditions, as well as additional requirements on essential businesses. In particular, we'd like the highlight the following item from the release:
"ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURING:
Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing, as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers. This will include occupancy limits for essential businesses and precautions such as staggering shifts and operating only essential lines for manufacturers."
Specific details on the changes were not included. We anticipate more guidance when the order is officially renewed next week.
HFS Delays Integrated Health Home Rollout
This morning HFS sent out a
provider notice indicating that the planned summer start of the Medicaid program's Integrated Health Home initiative is being delayed until Jan. 1, 2021 due to COVID-related agency implementation challenges.
New Federal Bill
Congress passed yet another COVID-19 relief package this week that focuses on additional resources for small business relief, testing and hospitals.
In particular for healthcare, $75 billion is included to
healthcare providers for health care related expenses or lost revenues that are attributable to the coronavirus outbreak, as well as $25 billion in order to research, develop, validate, manufacture, purchase, administer, and expand capacity for COVID-19 tests to effectively monitor and suppress COVID-19.
JCAR Update
IDPH adopted emergency amendments to Emergency Medical Services, Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, Primary Stroke Center and Acute Stroke Ready Hospital Code (77 IAC 515; 44 Ill Reg 6463) effective 4/10/20 for a maximum of 150 days. The emergency amendments authorize clinical nurse specialists to work in hospital emergency departments designated as an Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics, a Standby Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics, or a Pediatric Critical Care Center. The amendments also permit nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and physician assistants to provide backup coverage in critical situations; include advanced practice registered nurses and other advanced practice providers in pediatric intensive care unit committees; clarify the role and qualifications of pediatric clinical nurse specialists; expand options for training of pediatric clinical nurse experts; and update ambulance equipment lists to reflect current standards.
IDPH also adopted an emergency amendment to Health Care Worker Background Check Code (77 IAC 955; 44 Ill Reg 6597) effective 4/10/20 for a maximum of 150 days, extending the timeframe for health care employees, students or applicants to have their fingerprints collected by a livescan vendor from 10 working days to 30 working days after signing an authorization and disclosure form allowing DPH to perform a criminal background check.
Department of Insurance proposed an amendment to Required Procedure for Filing and Securing Approval of Policy Forms (50 IAC 916; 44 Ill Reg 6211) clarifying the required format for submitting these forms to DOI. All policy forms must be submitted in the form of a complete policy; use of matrix pages, insert pages and modular formats is prohibited. Only the identifying characteristics of the policy, such as the policy name and number, member number, etc., may be variable. Documents submitted to the System for Electronic Rate and Form Filings (SERFF) must be in a searchable PDF format. DOI also proposed an amendment to Construction and Filing of Accident and Health Insurance Policy Forms (50 IAC 2001; 44 Ill Reg 6218) clarifying the use of corporate names in consumer facing documents, marketing materials, and web pages. The name of the actual insurer must be stated on all its forms; use of a trade name, parent company name, division name, insurance group designation, slogan, symbol or other device that does not disclose the name of the actual issuer is prohibited if it obscures the true identity of the issuer.
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