Portion of DSCC Families to Move to Managed Care
NOTE: The timeline for the Medicaid managed care transition has been extended. Read more at https://dscc.uic.edu/move-to-managed-care-extended/.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has expanded its Medicaid managed care program.
Managed care is a type of health insurance program. When you enroll in managed care, you become a member of a health plan. HealthChoice Illinois is the new managed care program that is now required statewide.
This change will affect some participants’ enrollment status with the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC).
Enrollment in a HealthChoice Illinois plan is mandatory for most DSCC families who both:
- Receive Medicaid and
- Do not have private health insurance
Note that if your child is a Home Care Program participant, your family will not transition to a HealthChoice Illinois Plan. This transition only affects DSCC’s Core Program participants who meet the criteria above.
There are at least four HeatlhChoice Illinois health plans for families to select.
Affected families must choose a HealthChoice Illinois health plan and primary care provider (PCP) by Oct. 15. If a family does not choose a plan before Oct. 15, HFS will assign one.
“Our staff will support our families to make this transition to a new health plan as seamless as possible” DSCC Executive Director Thomas Jerkovitz said.
We developed a list of questions to help our participant families select the best plan for their family’s needs. The “MCO Selection Tip Sheet for Families” is available at https://dscc.uic.edu/browse-resources/available-brochures-pamphlets/.
We urge affected DSCC families to please watch their mail for an enrollment packet from Illinois Client Enrollment Services.
More information about Illinois’ managed care program is available at https://enrollhfs.illinois.gov/choose/plans-by-county/cook. Illinois Client Enrollment Services plans to mail packets the week of Sept. 16.
DSCC staff is currently working with HFS and its partners to continue our care coordination services for families affected by this transition. DSCC’s financial assistance should also be available to affected families. We will share more details about this process once they become available.
DSCC Care Coordinators will reach out to affected families to collect updated information about their child. Care Coordinators will also continue to work with participants to develop their plan of care.
Again, this transition only affects DSCC’s Core Program participants who receive Medicaid and do not have private health insurance.
“Through these changes, DSCC will remain a resource for affected families. We value their partnership and will continue to help connect their children to the proper services and support,” Jerkovitz said.
Families may contact their local DSCC regional office with questions. Families may also reach us at (800) 322-3722 or dscc@uic.edu.