Illinois Health Connect (IHC) encourages all IHC enrolled medical homes to sign up to receive these HFS Provider Releases through e-mail notification. IHC recommends that medical homes select “All Medical Assistance Providers” in addition to specific categories of service as appropriate. While these HFS Provider Releases are no longer available through the mail, you can view them online.
Information about the SMART Act and the three accompanying bills passed to address the HFS budget is available online. Provider fact sheets, client fact sheets and copies of the notices sent to affected clients are posted there. HFS will continue to update the budget page of its Web site.
Providers should be aware that the legislation includes these changes, effective July 1, 2012:
- The standard for timely filing is now 180 days or six months from the date of service. The current standard is 12 months.
- Adult clients are now limited to emergency services for dental care.
- The income standard for adults in FamilyCare changes to 133 percent of federal poverty. The current limit is 185 percent of federal poverty. Approximately 26,000 adults will lose coverage on July 1.
- Children and adults will be limited to four perscriptions per month. Additional prescriptions will be possible with Prior Approval.
- Adults co-payments are now $3.65 for office visits, up from $2.
- Children with All Kids Share now have co-payments of $3.65 for office visits.
- Podiatry care for adults is now limited to diabetic patients.
- Payment for eyeglasses for adults is now limited to one pair every two years.
