| TO: |
All Medical Assistance Providers
|
| DATE: |
November 8, 2017
|
| RE: |
Illinois Health Connect Plan Closure
|
This notice informs providers that effective January 1, 2018, when Medicaid managed care expands statewide, Illinois Health Connect (IHC) will no longer be a Medicaid health plan option. The new statewide managed care program is HealthChoice Illinois.
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (Department) will end IHC members’ Primary Care Provider (PCP) assignments on December 31, 2017. Effective January 1, 2018, those individuals will be designated as regular Medicaid fee-for-service until enrolled in a HealthChoice Illinois plan. In regular Medicaid fee-for-service, individuals will continue to use their HFS medical card to access services. Providers rendering healthcare services to these individuals will continue to submit claims to the Department in accordance with the fee-for-service guidelines until the individual is enrolled with a HealthChoice Illinois plan. This change does not affect the individual’s Medicaid eligibility or benefits.
Beginning January 8, 2018, former IHC members will be mailed a HealthChoice Illinois enrollment packet. The enrollment packet identifies HealthChoice Illinois plans available, as well as information on:
- timeframes for making a choice;
- how to make a choice; and
- extra benefit information about each health plan.
Individuals will have 30 days to pick a HealthChoice Illinois plan and PCP. If they do not make a plan and PCP choice during their 30-day choice period, they will be assigned to a plan and PCP. Most former IHC members will be actively enrolled with a HealthChoice Illinois plan no later than April 1, 2018.
Please encourage your patients to participate in their HealthChoice Illinois plan and PCP choice period.
Once enrolled in a HealthChoice Illinois plan, individuals have a 90-day plan switch period and then will be enrolled with their plan until their Open Enrollment Period (annual 60 day plan switch period). Individuals will work directly with their HealthChoice Illinois plan to change PCPs when needed.
It is imperative that providers always check MEDI to determine Medicaid eligibility and managed care enrollment status on each date of service. The Department encourages all providers to contract with one or more of the HealthChoice Illinois plans in order to continue serving Medicaid clients, including those served under Illinois Health Connect. General information regarding the HealthChoice Illinois program is on the Department’s website.
Illinois Health Connect is committed to assisting its members during this transition to minimize disruptions in care or access to services. Members with questions about the transition should be referred to Illinois Health Connect at 877-912-1999 (TTY: 866-565-8577) through December 31, 2017. Individuals with questions on or after January 1, 2018 can call the HFS Health Benefits Hotline at 866-468-7543 (TTY: 877-204-1012).
A sample Illinois Health Connect member plan closure notice can be found on the Department’s Care Coordination webpage. Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Bureau of Managed Care at 217-524-7478.
Felicia F. Norwood
Director
