UPDATE: HFS has posted sample versions of the new medical card, a client brochure and an informational flier about the new medical card on the HFS website. Spanish versions are also available.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is in the process of updating the HFS medical cards, transitioning to annual medical cards. When HFS clients get their new medical cards in the mail, they will need to keep the new card.
After the new HFS medical card is mailed, clients will no longer be mailed a medical card every month.
The cards will still be made of paper, however, cards will be sent to clients only once a year after their annual redetermination of eligibility, or when a new client is added to that case. The new card will contain the name, recipient identification number and date of birth for every client covered on that card.
If a client loses eligibility and regains it later, they will be re-assigned the same recipient identification number. Information will be sent to clients in the mail about the new medical card and how to use it.
Illinois Health Connect (IHC) wants to remind providers of the importance of verifying eligibility and Primary Care Provider (PCP) assignment for every client prior to every appointment.
HFS medical cards are not proof of eligibility; they are a tool to determine client eligibility. The name of assigned PCP will not be printed on the HFS medical cards.
Health plan information will not be on the new HFS medical card. Clients who have selected a voluntary managed care plan or are part of the Integrated Care Program will also get a card from their health plan.
IHC recommends the use of the HFS MEDI System to verify eligibility and PCP assignment. IHC Provider Services Representatives are available to assist offices in registering for MEDI and can provide in-office training to all employees who need access.
If a client does not have their HFS medical card, providers can still use MEDI to check eligibility and PCP assignment as long as client can provide the following: full name, date of birth, Social Security Number, county of residence and current Zip Code.
Providers who do not have access to MEDI or another online Recipient Eligibility Vendor system, should call the Automated Voice Response System (1-800-842-1461) to verify eligibility and IHC (1-877-912-1999, extension 3) to verify PCP assignment. IHC cannot verify client eligibility.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Changes are coming to your HFS medical card
Your HFS medical card will have a new look in 2013. When you get the new medical card in the mail, you will need to keep the new card.
After the new HFS medical card is mailed, you will no longer be mailed a medical card every month. The medical card will be sent once a year.
Look for more information coming to you in the mail within the next few months about the new medical card and how to use it.
Your identification number will remain the same even if you lose eligibility and regain it later.
Mailings for the January 2013 HFS medical cards are delayed. If you do not receive your January medical card by the end of the month, contact your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office.
To locate your local DHS office, use the office locator on the DHS Web site. Or call 1-800-843-6154 (TTY: 1-800-447-6404).
After the new HFS medical card is mailed, you will no longer be mailed a medical card every month. The medical card will be sent once a year.
Look for more information coming to you in the mail within the next few months about the new medical card and how to use it.
Your identification number will remain the same even if you lose eligibility and regain it later.
Mailings for the January 2013 HFS medical cards are delayed. If you do not receive your January medical card by the end of the month, contact your local Department of Human Services (DHS) office.
To locate your local DHS office, use the office locator on the DHS Web site. Or call 1-800-843-6154 (TTY: 1-800-447-6404).
Monday, January 21, 2013
Spotlight: Illinois Healthy Women
Illinois Healthy Women is a limited eligibility program for women in Illinois that provides Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) coverage for family planning (birth control) and certain services at a family planning visit.
The IHW card looks like an HFS Medical Card, but is pink in color. Providers credentialed with HFS are able to bill for IHW patients without additional credentialing. The standard HFS fee schedule applies.
Illinois Healthy Women is an excluded population for Illinois Health Connect. Patients who have IHW card are not required to pick a PCP with Illinois Health Connect and can be seen by any HFS provider
Patients whose only coverage is the Illinois Healthy Women card do not have medical coverage for services unrelated to family planning or reproductive health. Services that are covered at an IHW family planning visit are:
The IHW card looks like an HFS Medical Card, but is pink in color. Providers credentialed with HFS are able to bill for IHW patients without additional credentialing. The standard HFS fee schedule applies.
Illinois Healthy Women is an excluded population for Illinois Health Connect. Patients who have IHW card are not required to pick a PCP with Illinois Health Connect and can be seen by any HFS provider
Patients whose only coverage is the Illinois Healthy Women card do not have medical coverage for services unrelated to family planning or reproductive health. Services that are covered at an IHW family planning visit are:
- Physical exam and health history
- Patient education and counseling about women's health, family planning and how to plan for a healthy pregnancy
- Birth control
- Pap tests
- Sterilization services (patient's written consent needed) such as getting tubes tied, for patients who are at least 21 years old
- Mammograms, when ordered by the doctor at family planning visit
- Lab tests necessary for family planning, birth control or related reproductive health
- Testing and medicine for sexually transmitted infections found during the family planning exam, including HIV testing
- Multivitamins and folic acid
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Well child visits are important!
Children need to see the doctor even when they are not sick. These healthy trips to the doctor are called well-child visits. Well-child visits are important for many reasons.
At these well-child visits, the doctor will check your child's height, weight, growth, vision and hearing. The doctor will also check your baby's head, mouth, heart and lungs, penis or vagina, abdomen, hips and legs. This is done to make sure that everything is normal for the child's age.
You will get advice about feeding your child and nutrition. These visits are when your child will get shots to prevent certain diseases and blood tests to find out if your baby has any condition that needs more attention.
These visits give you a chance to ask questions and get to know your child's doctor. It is important that you trust the doctor and feel comfortable taking your child to see that doctor.
Your child's doctor will tell you how often you should bring your child for well visits. The normal amount of appointments is six well-child visits between birth and nine months old, and another five visits before your child turns 30 months old. Children should see the doctor for well visits every year once they turn 3-years-old.
If your child is sick, you should not wait for a well-child visit. Call your child's primary care provider (PCP) and ask if you should bring your child in for a sick visit or if you should go to the emergency department.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
At these well-child visits, the doctor will check your child's height, weight, growth, vision and hearing. The doctor will also check your baby's head, mouth, heart and lungs, penis or vagina, abdomen, hips and legs. This is done to make sure that everything is normal for the child's age.
You will get advice about feeding your child and nutrition. These visits are when your child will get shots to prevent certain diseases and blood tests to find out if your baby has any condition that needs more attention.
These visits give you a chance to ask questions and get to know your child's doctor. It is important that you trust the doctor and feel comfortable taking your child to see that doctor.
Your child's doctor will tell you how often you should bring your child for well visits. The normal amount of appointments is six well-child visits between birth and nine months old, and another five visits before your child turns 30 months old. Children should see the doctor for well visits every year once they turn 3-years-old.
If your child is sick, you should not wait for a well-child visit. Call your child's primary care provider (PCP) and ask if you should bring your child in for a sick visit or if you should go to the emergency department.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Monday, January 14, 2013
It's not too late to get a flu shot
Illinois is in the middle of a severe flu season. Influenza is a serious disease that can cause sickness and even death. There have been more reports this year of hospitalization and deaths due to flu than in past years.
It is not too late to get a flu shot! Flu season can last until May.
Everyone older than 6-months old should get a flu shot every year. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about getting a flu shot. It is a covered service for all HFS clients.
It is best to get your flu shot at your medical home. Local health departments and pharmacies also offer them. Use this vaccine finder to locate a place near you to get your flu shot.
There are three things we can all do to help prevent the flu from spreading. Wash your hands frequently. Cover your cough or sneeze. Stay home if you are sick.
Call Illinois Health Connect if you need contact information for your PCP or help finding a location that offers flu shots. IHC's number is 1-877-912-1999. The call is free.
It is not too late to get a flu shot! Flu season can last until May.
Everyone older than 6-months old should get a flu shot every year. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about getting a flu shot. It is a covered service for all HFS clients.
It is best to get your flu shot at your medical home. Local health departments and pharmacies also offer them. Use this vaccine finder to locate a place near you to get your flu shot.
There are three things we can all do to help prevent the flu from spreading. Wash your hands frequently. Cover your cough or sneeze. Stay home if you are sick.
Call Illinois Health Connect if you need contact information for your PCP or help finding a location that offers flu shots. IHC's number is 1-877-912-1999. The call is free.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Spotlight: DHS Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) operates the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA), which is the state authority for substance abuse issues in Illinois.
DASA is primarily responsible for providing prevention, intervention and treatment services related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The services include: case management, community intervention, detoxification, HIV testing and counseling, intensive outpatient services, early intervention, residential rehabilitation and toxicology.
Patients can access DASA services on the phone via DHS hotline at 1-800-843-6154. Select extension 3 at the first prompt and extension 6 at the second prompt.
An online resource is the substance abuse treatment facility locator on the U.S. Health & Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Services Administration website.
DASA is primarily responsible for providing prevention, intervention and treatment services related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The services include: case management, community intervention, detoxification, HIV testing and counseling, intensive outpatient services, early intervention, residential rehabilitation and toxicology.
Patients can access DASA services on the phone via DHS hotline at 1-800-843-6154. Select extension 3 at the first prompt and extension 6 at the second prompt.
An online resource is the substance abuse treatment facility locator on the U.S. Health & Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Services Administration website.
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