|
LTC Provider Changes to the Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) Portal and Additional Application Information
LTC providers should not submit applications in ABE through the “Apply without an Account” option. LTC providers must submit applications as a Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) LTC provider, an HFS Application Agent, or create an individual account for each resident. This will ensure that applications are routed to the correct LTC MFO office. To review recent guidance from HFS, click here.
To review the HFS CNA Quarterly Notification Memo, click here.
To review the January 1, 2025 CNA Experience and Promotion Incentive Payment, click here.
To view the Updated Nursing Facility Estimated Quality Incentive Payments Listing for April 2025, click here.
Hearing on Federal Funds in the Medicaid Program
Healthcare advocates, hospital officials, and individuals who rely on Medicaid for their medical coverage gathered in Springfield to testify before the House Appropriations Health and Human Services Committee last week to discuss potential federal cuts to the Medicaid program and possible impacts to the 3.4 million Illinoisans covered by the program.
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) gave an overview of the program and reviewed how Congress is believed to be considering making potential cuts to the Medicaid program. To learn more, click here.
The Department outlined the possible impacts of rolling back reimbursement for the ACA expansion population (this population includes enrollees who are single, childless, nondisabled adults under age 65 with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level), cuts to provider taxes that Illinois uses to infuse additional money into the Medicaid program, and instituting a per capita Medicaid rate or a fixed amount of money per Medicaid enrollee. The Congressional Committee, which has jurisdiction over the federal Medicaid budget, has been charged with cutting $880 billion from their committees’ budgets over 10 years. Many experts do not believe this can be achieved without cuts to the Medicaid program; read more about the hearing here.
GOGFA Releases Revenue Update
The General Assembly's Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) last week issued a revenue update. To review the analysis, click here.
CMS Issues IB Rescinding Guidance on HRSNs
CMS on March 4th released a Center Informational Bulletin (CIB) rescinding guidance related to coverage of health-related social needs (HRSN). The bulletin rescinds two CIBs published in November 2023 and December 2024, both titled “Coverage of Services and Supports to Address Health-Related Social Needs in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program,” as well as an accompanying document from November 2023 known as the “Framework of Coverage of HSRN Services in Medicaid and CHIP.” CMS has indicated that approved 1115 waivers and 1915(c) waivers that include HRSN provisions will not be affected. State applications to cover these services and supports will be considered on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, click here.
Public Engagement Events for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a series of public engagement events in April as part of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. The virtual public engagement events will provide an opportunity for patients, beneficiaries, caregivers, consumer and patient organizations, and other interested parties to share input relevant to the drugs selected for the second cycle of negotiations.
The public engagement events will be held from April 16-30, 2025.
The public can share feedback and input with CMS in the following ways:
- One livestreamed town hall meeting for all selected drugs, focused on the clinical considerations related to the selected drugs. CMS encourages practicing clinicians and researchers to register to speak.
- 15 private patient-focused roundtable events, one for each selected drug, which will be open to patients, patient advocacy organizations, and caregivers selected to speak at the events.
- CMS encourages the public to submit written input in response to the CMS request for information about selected drugs and evidence about alternative treatments. Statements were due March 1, 2025.
Participant registration for the engagement ends March 12, 2025.
Click here to learn more and to register for the public engagement events.
Click here to access the Bulletins.
Reminder!! Please Update HFS of Relevant Changes to Key Contacts!
Providers/management companies/administration/interested parties, etc. should email HFS.SLF@illinois.gov with any email address updates/additions/changes that you want to be included on communication from the Supportive Living Program. HFS sends a variety of messages including reminders, recalls, general information, rule updates/reminders. You do not want to miss any important information.
Also, if you have any staffing changes (new admin, DON, etc.), you should also email those updates to HFS.SLF@illinois.gov. Include the new contact information (name, position, email address, etc.).
We strongly encourage everyone to let HFS know of these changes so HFS can update their contact information, and you stay current.
Dealing with Suspected or Confirmed H5NI
The Illinois Department of Public Health recently issued guidelines for use by health care personnel (HCP) who may care for patients with suspected or confirmed H5N1 (bird flu). While the risk to humans is low and human-to-human transmission has not yet been identified, bird flu can be transmitted to people from animals. It is important to take precautions to prevent exposure in health care settings. To learn more, click here.
New SLP Rates Effective January 2025
HFS posted January SL rates. Rates are up from last quarter by 4.3% to 5.9% when looking at regular SL and dementia care rates.
To view the rates click here.
To review the HFS CNA Quarterly Notification Memo, click here.
To review the January 1, 2025 CNA Experience and Promotion Incentive Payment, click here.
To view the Updated Nursing Facility Estimated Quality Incentive Payments Listing for April 2025, click here.
Click below to view rate reports:
SL & NH Rate Comparison
SL Medicaid Rate Map
SL Rate History
2025 Comparison Rates to August 2024 Estimates
| 
