Alert: Managed Care Expansion Will NOT Be Delayed; Statewide Transition Continuing to Take Place April 1, 2018
| To: |
All Medical Assistance Program Providers |
| Date: |
March 28, 2018 |
| Re: |
Alert: Managed Care Expansion Will NOT Be Delayed; Statewide Transition Continuing to Take Place April 1, 2018 |
Some providers may have recently received erroneous information about a supposed delay in the April 1, 2018 statewide expansion of Medicaid managed care. This information, originating from a medical association, is inaccurate. As scheduled, managed care will expand to every county in Illinois on April 1, 2018.
The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) strongly encourages providers to participate in the expanded managed care program, HealthChoice Illinois. By contracting with the program's health plans, providers will be able to offer care to their patients and clients and benefit from enhanced managed care features. Beginning on April 1, 2018, managed care will be effective in every Illinois County.
Providers should be aware that while the managed care expansion statewide is continuing as planned, the transition for a small segment of Medicaid members is being rescheduled. Less than 1 percent of Medicaid members will be affected by this reschedule, and a more detailed explanation will be sent this week to the members and providers affected. The affected populations are dual-eligible individuals receiving long term care and who are not enrolled in the Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) or individuals receiving waiver services in the expansion counties. Access to healthcare services or benefits for this small population will not be affected in any way by the rescheduling of this small segment of Medicaid members.
HFS designed HealthChoice Illinois to provide quality care for beneficiaries, with reduced administrative requirements and other enhancements to allow providers to better focus on client care. The Department encourages all providers to join the health plan networks that will be part of the program. For more information about HealthChoice Illinois, including details on client transitions and helpful features of the program, please see the October 26, 2017 HealthChoice Illinois overview notice.
Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Department’s Bureau of Managed Care at 217-524-7478.
Felicia F. Norwood
Director
