Date: March 15. 2021
To: All Medical Assistance Program Providers
Re: COVID-19 Vaccine Administration – Free to
Medical Assistance Program Participants and the Uninsured
This notice emphasizes to providers that
COVID-19 vaccine administration is to be provided at no cost to participants
covered under traditional Medicaid fee-for-service, HealthChoice Illinois managed care plans,
or the uninsured population including undocumented individuals.
Medical
Assistance Program Participants
Illinois Medicaid fee-for-service
participants and HealthChoice Illinois managed care plan participants
shall not be turned down for COVID-19 vaccination services when vaccinations
are available to be administered. Services are to be provided at no cost to the
participant. Providers should bill either the fee-for-service
program or the HealthChoice Illinois managed care plan, as appropriate, for the
vaccine administration. Providers will be reimbursed at Medicare rates for
vaccine administration, per the COVID-19 fee schedule.
Uninsured
Population
Uninsured
individuals shall not be turned down for COVID-19
vaccination services when vaccinations are available to be administered.
Services are to be provided at no cost to the uninsured individual. The Health
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) COVID-19
Claims Reimbursement to Health Care Providers and Facilities for Testing,
Treatment, and Vaccine Administration for the Uninsured program reimburses providers at Medicare rates for
providing COVID-19 vaccine administration to uninsured patients, regardless of
patient income, citizenship, or immigration status. For reimbursement, providers
should submit claims to the HRSA COVID-19 Claims Reimbursement Portal.
Transportation Coverage for Vaccinations
Non-emergency transportation services are available
for Medicaid fee-for-service and HealthChoice Illinois managed care plan participants
to travel to and from a vaccine administration location to receive their
COVID-19 vaccination.
Questions regarding this notice may be
directed to the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565
for fee-for-service claims, or to the individual
HealthChoice Illinois managed care plan.
Kelly Cunningham, Administrator
Division of Medical Programs
