Podcast Highlights DSCC’s Role in Policy Solutions for Children with Complex Care Needs During Emergencies
The MCH Bridges podcast shares the story of how DSCC partnered with parent advocates and state agencies to allow generators to be an MFTD waiver benefit
In August 2020, a powerful windstorm called a derecho struck Illinois.
The storm produced about 15 tornadoes in the Chicagoland area and caused widespread power outages. Many people were without power for multiple days.
After the storm, parent advocate Susan Agrawal compiled feedback from Home Care Program families about how the power loss affected their children and loved ones with complex medical needs. She then shared this feedback with the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC).
DSCC operates the Home Care Program on behalf of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). The Home Care Program serves individuals who need in-home nursing to safely live at home.
Many of these individuals are enrolled in the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile and Technology Dependent (MFTD waiver). These individuals often have tracheostomies, ventilators, gastrostomy tubes and other medical technology that depends on electricity.
The feedback Agrawal shared showed that many Home Care families wanted the ability to use MFTD waiver funds to pay for power generators for their homes.
DSCC took this feedback, did research and worked with HFS to pursue an amendment to the MFTD waiver to allow waiver funds to cover the cost of generators.
A recent episode of the MCH Bridges podcast tells the story of how this new waiver benefit became available for families. The podcast is from the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP).
Dr. Molly Hofmann, DSCC’s Director of Care Coordination, Systems Development and Education, co-hosted the episode called “Generating Policy Solutions to Protect Children with Complex Health Care Needs During Emergencies.”
The episode highlights the importance of preparedness, especially in the face of natural disasters or power outages that can severely affect the care of children who are medically fragile and technology dependent.
It features the following DSCC team members and partners:
- Stephanie Leach, DSCC’s Associate Director of Systems of Care
- Courtney Kerfoot, DSCC’s Integrated Program Support Specialist
- Susan Agrawal, parent advocate, Director of the Family-to-Family Health Information Center at The Arc of Illinois and the founder and leader of MFTD Waiver Families in Illinois
- Pam Winsel of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Thank you to AMCHP for highlighting our efforts and partnerships to ensure children with complex medical needs have the life-saving technology they need in emergency situations!
You can learn more about how the MFTD waiver pays for home generators and other important benefits for Home Care families on our Waiver Services for Home Care Families page.
Listening Sessions to Gather Input on HealthChoice Illinois
HFS invites families to participate in listening sessions to share feedback on HealthChoice Illinois managed care
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) wants to hear about your experience with HealthChoice Illinois managed care.
The agency is holding in-person and virtual listening sessions to gather feedback from HealthChoice Illinois customers, providers, advocates and other stakeholders.
You can share your experiences, suggest improvements and also provide written feedback through an online form.
Most Medicaid customers are part of HealthChoice Illinois. You’re a HealthChoice Illinois customer if you selected a managed care organization after you joined Medicaid.
HFS wants to know:
- What works well for you with HealthChoice Illinois?
- Where do you see opportunities to improve?
- How else can HFS and HealthChoice Illinois meet your needs?
There are several ways you can share your input:
In-Person Listening Sessions
- Chicago
- Date and time: Thursday, Sept. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m.
- Location: College of Pharmacy, 833 S. Wood St. in Chicago, Room 134-3
- Link to register for Chicago session
- Springfield
- Date and time: Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m.
- Location: John Block Building Auditorium, Illinois Department of Agriculture, 801 E. Sangamon Ave., on the Illinois State Fairgrounds at Gate 11
- Link to register for Springfield session
Virtual Listening Sessions
HFS will also take comments during its virtual Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) and Subcommittee meetings on:
- Sept. 24
- Oct. 3
- Nov. 1
Visit the HFS website for details and registration information.
Written Feedback
If you’re unable to attend a listening session, the HFS website also has an online form to provide written feedback.
HFS will accept feedback through Nov. 15, 2024.
Why Your Feedback is Important
HFS is preparing to procure new HealthChoice Illinois managed care contracts. Your input will help HFS better serve enrollees by improving access and quality within the Illinois Medicaid program.
If you are a Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant, the listening sessions are also a good opportunity to share your families’ experience working with DSCC.
We partner with HealthChoice Illinois managed care organizations through contracts to provide care coordination services for their members.
More details about the procurement process are on the HFS website.
Share Your Feedback on Key MFTD Waiver Updates to Strengthen Support for Families
Families have through Sept. 28, 2024, to share input on waiver amendments allowing CNAs to become paid family caregivers and nursing rate increases.
Families have an opportunity to share feedback on several significant updates to the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD waiver).
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is the Medicaid agency responsible for the MFTD waiver. Many families in the Home Care Program have children who receive services through this waiver.
HFS is currently seeking approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for waiver amendments that will:
- Allow parents who are certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to be paid family caregivers
- Increase rates for in-home nurses and CNA services
Read below for more details about these amendments and how to share your input.
CNAs as Paid Family Caregivers
Plans are underway to allow parents/legally responsible adults (LRAs) to become paid caregivers if they are a CNA and employed through a nursing agency.
Currently, parents/LRAs are paid for providing skilled nursing services to their children if they hold an active registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) license. This rule applies to parents/LRAs of all children approved for Home Care services, regardless of the child’s age. (Read more about our efforts to make paid licensed family caregivers a permanent benefit.)
Allowing parents and caregivers who are CNAs to become paid caregivers is an important step in strengthening our support for families of individuals who need in-home shift nursing.
This update would give more parents/LRAs the opportunity to earn payment for the caregiving they provide their children at home.
This change requires an amendment to the MFTD waiver as well as the creation of a new state plan amendment.
Nursing Rate Increase
HFS is also proposing a 7 percent rate increase for in-home nurses and CNA services to take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
This rate increase would affect:
- RN, LPN and CNA care
- In-home and facility-based respite care
- Nurse training rates
The proposed rates are as follows:
- RN, $57.78 per hour
- LPN, $48.15 per hour
- CNA, $32.10 per hour
We hope this rate increase can help make more high-quality nursing options available for our participant families.
Transitional Care Services provided outside the home (not an MFTD waiver service) is expected to have a rate increase from $950 to $1,300 a day. This increase would also take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Other Key Updates in the Amendment Include:
- Adds adaptive equipment and assistive technology as new services.
- Makes pest control a post-approval process. This change means families will not need to receive prior approval for pest control services.
- Makes the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) the entity responsible for the prior approval for home accessibility modifications, vehicle modifications, medical equipment operating expenses, adaptive equipment, placement maintenance counseling and assistive technology.
- Removes the requirement of two bids if the cost exceeds $2,000 for waiver services. This change is necessary to help increase access to services.
Share Your Feedback
The public comment period for these proposed waiver amendments is now open.
To review the full list of proposed waiver updates, you can:
- Review a hard copy at HFS’ offices at:
- 201 South Grand Ave. E.,
Springfield, IL 62763 - 401 S. Clinton
Chicago, IL 60607
- 201 South Grand Ave. E.,
The deadline to provide feedback is Sept 28, 2024.
You can share your feedback in two ways:
- Via email to HFS.HCBSWaiver@illinois.gov
- Via mail to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Attention: Waiver Operations Management, 201 South Grand Ave. E., 2FL, Springfield, IL 62763
This public comment process is one of the best ways you can have your voice heard.
HFS will send your comments to the federal CMS as part of the waiver approval process.
If you have questions, please contact HFS’s Waiver Operations Management Unit at (217) 524-4148 or (844) 528-8444.
2024 Health Insurance Education Webinar Series for Families Kicks Off in March
Free virtual training sessions for Division of Specialized Care for Children participants, their families and anyone interested in learning more about health insurance topics
Is figuring out your health insurance leaving you confused, frustrated or both?
Change your confusion to confidence with the University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) Health Insurance Education Series.
These free trainings can help you better navigate your health insurance coverage and benefits. Each month, DSCC team members and other presenters will explain a different topic.
Each presentation will be in English. A Spanish interpretation line will be available during each session.
Check out the topics, mark your calendars and register for each session you’re interested in attending.
The session descriptions are in English followed by Spanish:
- Social Security Benefits, March 12 at 6 p.m.
- This training will help you understand Social Security benefits. Presenters from the Social Security Administration will share information about Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance. You will learn who can get benefits and how to apply for benefits. It will also cover what the Social Security program benefits are and how to keep your benefits.
- See the Social Security flyer for more details.
- Register on Zoom for Social Security Benefits
- Medicaid Denials, April 9 at 6 p.m.
- This training will help you understand Medicaid denials. It will review the common reasons that Medicaid denies services, such as equipment. The presentation will also share tips on how to avoid denials and what to do if Medicaid denies your services. This training will be for those with regular Medicaid and those enrolled in a managed care plan (MCO).
- See the Medicaid Denials flyer for more details.
- Register on Zoom for Medicaid Denials
- Transitioning Health Insurance Benefits to Adulthood, May 14 at 6 p.m.
- This training will help you understand how to transition health insurance benefits to adulthood. It will go over different insurance types, including Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance. This presentation will help you know what to start thinking about for health insurance benefits as you or your child nears adulthood.
- See the Transitioning Health Insurance Benefits to Adulthood flyer for more details.
- Register on Zoom for Transitioning Health Insurance Benefits to Adulthood
- Beneficios de Seguro Social, 12 de marzo a las 6 p.m.
- Esta capacitación lo ayudará a entender los beneficios del Seguro Social. Los presentadores de la Administración del Seguro Social compartirán información sobre el Seguro de Ingreso Suplementario y el Seguro de Incapacidad del Seguro Social. Aprenderá quién puede obtener beneficios y cómo solicitarlos. También cubrirá cuáles son los beneficios del programa de Seguro Social y cómo conservar sus beneficios.
- Consulte el folleto de Beneficios de Seguro Social para obtener más detalles.
- Enlace para registrarse
- Negaciones de Medicaid, 9 de abril a las 6 p.m.
- Esta capacitación lo ayudará a comprender las negaciones de Medicaid. Revisará las razones comunes por las que Medicaid niega servicios, como equipos. La presentación también compartirá consejos sobre cómo evitar negaciones y qué hacer si Medicaid niega sus servicios. Esta capacitación será para quienes tienen Medicaid regular y quienes están inscritos en un plan de atención administrada (MCO).
- Consulte el folleto de Negaciones de Medicaid para obtener más detalles.
- Enlace para registrarse
- Transición de los beneficios del seguro médico a la edad adulta, 14 de mayo a las 6 p.m.
- Esta capacitación lo ayudará a comprender cómo hacer la transición de los beneficios del seguro médico a la edad adulta. Tratará diferentes tipos de seguros, incluidos Medicaid, Medicare y seguros privados. Esta presentación le ayudará a saber en qué empezar a pensar en cuanto a los beneficios del seguro médico a medida que usted o su hijo se acercan a la edad adulta.
- Consulte el folleto de Transición de los beneficios del seguro médico a la edad adulta para obtener más detalles.
- Enlace para registrarse
You can also download a flyer with all the Health Insurance Education Series topics and registration links. (The flyer is also available in Spanish.)
The webinars are open to DSCC participants, their family members and anyone interested in these topics.
This is the second year for the DSCC Health Insurance Education Series. It began in response to DSCC families’ questions and suggestions from our Family Advisory Council.
Details about each series session are also posted on our Events page.
The 2024 Health Insurance Education Series is free for all attendees.
If you miss a session, you can access the recordings and related materials on our Family Education Webinars page.
If you have questions about these webinars before or after a session, email dscc@uic.edu or call (800) 322-3722.
We look forward to seeing you online!
Important Reminders: End of Public Health Emergency and Return to In-Person Visits
An overview of key changes affecting all Division of Specialized Care for Children participants now that the public health emergency is over
The public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic ended on May 11, 2023.
This ending brings a variety of changes for our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant families. These changes include a return to in-person visits from DSCC Care Coordinators, an end to verbal signatures and more.
The following sections give an overview of key points and important dates to remember:
- Reminders for All DSCC Program Participants
- Reminders for Home Care Program Participants
- Important Medicaid/Insurance Updates for All DSCC Participants in Medicaid
- Contact Reminders for All DSCC Program Participants
Reminders for All DSCC Program Participants
Return to In-Person Visits
Meeting in person with our participants and families is an important part of care coordination. The public health emergency allowed face-to-face visits to occur virtually. Now that the public health emergency has ended, we must return to face-to-face meetings with our participants.
Your DSCC Care Coordinator will work with you in advance to schedule your next in-person/home visit. We understand that in-person visits with your Care Coordinator may be a change for you and your family. We paused these visits for several years during the public health emergency (though many families continued to meet with their Care Coordinator during the pandemic).
Seeing you in person helps us get to know you and your family better. It can also help improve your connection with your DSCC Care Coordinator. Our partnership with Medicaid and Medicaid managed care plans also requires us to meet with you in person. If you have any concerns about in-person visits, please talk to your Care Coordinator. We will work with you to see how to best accommodate your preferences.
Verbal Signatures
The public health emergency allowed your Care Coordinator to receive necessary signatures verbally. As of May 11, 2023, it is a federal rule that DSCC can no longer accept verbal signatures.
- Electronic signature options (such as through Adobe) remain an option for families when signing DSCC documents.
Reminders for Home Care Program Participants
End of Continued Medicaid and Program Enrollment for Those Found Ineligibile for Services
Starting April 1, 2023, DSCC began working with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) to reassess all Home Care Program participants who received a notice of ineligibility for the program since March 1, 2020. Now that the public health emergency has ended, HFS’ notices accurately list the approved level of services for you or your child.
- If you or your child received a notice of ineligibility for services since March 1, 2020, your services will remain in place until HFS completes a reassessment. The reassessment looks at your updated and current medical documentation and will occur before Sept. 30, 2023.
- If you or your child received a notice of reduced nursing hours since March 1, 2020, your Care Coordinator will complete the next reassessment of services at your regularly scheduled renewal time. Services will remain in place until this reassessment occurs.
Reminders for Individuals in the Non-Waiver Program (Nursing and Personal Care Services)
Now that the public health emergency has ended, all individuals who turn 21 and are not on the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Those Who Are Medically Fragile Technology Dependent (MFTD), will not be eligible for services. If you or your child were on non-waiver services and turned 21 between the dates of March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2023, services will end on Sept. 30, 2023. Your Care Coordinator will work with you to ensure you or your child is set with an alternate state waiver, such as the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), if applicable.
For all non-waiver participants under age 21, you must continue to have Medicaid coverage to receive Home Care services. It is important that you submit the redetermination form from Medicaid to keep your coverage. If you fail to meet Medicaid eligibility or do not respond in time, HFS will cancel your Medicaid case. Your Home Care services will then also end.
Additional COVID-19 Respite Allotment
During the public health emergency, HFS approved an additional 336 hours of respite to use before the regular respite allotment. This additional respite is for all Home Care MFTD waiver participants. Starting Nov. 11, 2023, this additional COVID respite will expire. All respite used after Nov. 11, 2023, will come from the standard respite allotment.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
During the public health emergency, nursing agencies were reimbursed for PPE when actively staffing nurses in the home. The PPE is for the nurses to use while caring for participants. This reimbursement of PPE supplies to the nursing agencies will end on Nov. 11, 2023.
Nursing Supervisory Visits
Nursing agencies resumed in-person supervisory visits in November 2020. Effective May 11, 2023, there can be no exceptions to replace in-person supervisory visits.
Important Medicaid/Insurance Updates for All DSCC Participants in Medicaid
These next sections explain important Medicaid updates now that the public health emergency and continuous Medicaid coverage period has ended. The end of the public health emergency may also affect your Medicaid coverage or your private health insurance coverage.
No More Copays or Premiums for Medicaid
Most Medicaid programs no longer have premiums or copays. All Kids Assist, Aid to the Aged Blind and Disabled (AABD) and Adult Medicaid do not have monthly premiums or copays for services. All Kids Premium 1, Premium 2 and Share programs are all called All Kids Assist now.
Medical Redetermination for Medicaid
Redetermination is when Medicaid looks to see if you are still eligible. They look at your residency, monthly income and other criteria to decide if you still qualify.
Medicaid sent forms to some members as early as May 2023. They will not complete redetermination on all cases at the same time. They will make the redeterminations over several months. This means that your Medicaid redetermination could happen now or later, even next year. It is important to make sure Medicaid has your current address. You can report your address online at Medicaid.illinois.gov or call (877) 805-5312. We also have a news post with more details about how to update your address.
Please watch your mail for letters from Medicaid.
Once you receive your redetermination notice, you will have about a month to respond. Medicaid may ask for more information about your income, residency or other information. If Medicaid asks for more information and you do not respond, your Medicaid coverage ends. You can return the redetermination in several ways:
- Online at ABE.illinois.gov using Manage My Case. Manage My Case is the quickest way to complete your redetermination.
- By mail.
- In person at a local Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Family Community Resource Center.
- By phone.
If you are in a Medicaid managed care plan (MCO), please remember the MCO does not do the redetermination. Medicaid does redetermination reviews. If you do not qualify for Medicaid anymore, your coverage ends. If you are still eligible, you keep your Medicaid coverage.
Don’t risk losing your health insurance. Please update your address with Illinois Medicaid. It’s easy, fast and free:
- Call (877) 805-5312 from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Visit medicaid.illinois.gov.
- If you use a TTY, call (877) 204-1012.
Please contact your DSCC Care Coordinator if you have questions about Medicaid redetermination.
Telehealth Coverage
Telehealth coverage for Medicaid (and other insurances) is a permanent change and will continue after the public health emergency to give Medicaid time to review for any future changes. You can review the HFS Provider Notice issued May 9, 2023, on Telehealth to learn more.
An Illinois law signed in 2021 requires insurance to cover telehealth through 2027. This law does not require that practitioners or providers offer telehealth services. Therefore, your providers may not offer telehealth care. The law only says that insurance must pay providers for telehealth care if they provide it.
Pharmacy Billing and Prior Approval Requirements
Pharmacy billing and prior approval requirements for Medicaid will resume. There were many flexibilities that allowed Medicaid members to get medications. These include overriding the refill too soon and waiving requirements for the preferred drug list, quantity and brand limits. If you go to the pharmacy and they tell you that you can’t get your medications, ask your doctor to submit a prior approval to Medicaid. You can review the HFS Provider Notice issued May 3, 2023, on Pharmacy Billing to learn more. Contact your DSCC Care Coordinator for more help.
DME and Therapy Prior Approval Requirements
DME and therapy prior approval requirements for Medicaid will resume. There are some services that Medicaid did not require a prior approval for during the public health emergency. These services include therapy, home health and some durable medical equipment (DME). It is important for your providers to get a prior approval so that Medicaid reviews medical eligibility for the services. You can review the HFS Provider Notice issued April 4, 2023, on Prior Approval Requirements for more details. Contact your DSCC Care Coordinator for more help.
COVID-19 Tests, Treatment, and Vaccines
Uninsured individuals will no longer get access to special COVID-19 Medicaid eligibility which included testing, services, treatment, and vaccine administration during the public health emergency. You can view the HFS Provider Notice issued May 9, 2023, on Uninsured Population Special COVID-19 Coverage. Medicaid members who do have eligibility will continue to be able to access treatment, testing and vaccines.
Those with private insurance should also be able to continue to access treatment and vaccines as outlined by their plan.
Insurance plans will no longer cover over-the-counter tests for COVID-19 for free. Generally, a doctor will need to order the test and provide them in an office or similar facility. This may vary from plan to plan. You should call your insurance plan if you have questions. There may also be community organizations or public health departments still distributing COVID-19 tests and related services, such as vaccines, for free.
Extension of COBRA
During the public health emergency, there was an extension of election and notice deadlines for someone to take COBRA after losing or leaving a job. That will expire 60 days after May 11, 2023.
Temporary Special Enrollment Period
For individuals who no longer qualify for Medicaid after they go through redetermination, there is a special open enrollment period through the federal health insurance marketplace to purchase private insurance. It will extend from March 31, 2023, to July 31, 2024. This is only for people with a special qualifying event, such as losing coverage. Otherwise, the regular open enrollment period will be in November and December for individuals who need to enroll in private insurance through the marketplace. The Illinois website is GetCovered.illinois.gov and the federal website is HealthCare.gov.
Questions? Contact Us!
As a DSCC participant family, you can contact us with any questions or support your family needs.
Please note the best way to reach your care coordination team or any DSCC office is through our toll-free number of (800) 322-3722.
You can use this number to dial your Care Coordinator’s direct extension or to have our Customer Service Representatives connect you with the right person/team.
We have updated our phone system and ask everyone to use the (800) 322-3722 number as the simplest and fastest way to reach us.
Our office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please talk to your Care Coordinator if you have a need to speak outside of business hours.
You may also reach us through our general dscc@uic.edu inbox or use our Contact Us or Request a Callback forms on our website.
Please talk with your Care Coordinator if you have more questions or need to update your communication preferences.
We are thankful for your partnership throughout the changes related to the end of the pandemic and public health emergency. Our team will continue to help support your family and connect you with the right services and resources.
New Health Insurance Education Series Open to All DSCC Families
Free virtual training sessions in English and Spanish for Division of Specialized Care for Children participants, their families and all who are interested
Navigating the health insurance maze can be frustrating.
We’ve heard our participant families’ feedback and want to help improve the process.
Please join the University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) for our new education series on important health insurance topics.
These free, family-focused sessions will help you better understand your coverage and benefits.
Sessions are virtual and open to DSCC participants, their families/caregivers and anyone interested in these topics.
The DSCC Health Insurance Education Series is the result of DSCC families’ questions and suggestions from our Family Advisory Council.
Our Benefits Management and Research (BMR) team will explain a different topic and answer your questions each month. They will present each session in English and in Spanish via Zoom.
Save the date for each session:
- Understanding Your Insurance
English: March 7, 6 p.m.
Spanish: March 8, 6 p.m.
This training will help you understand your health insurance. It will go over the types of insurance plans and some important words to know. You will also learn what to do if you have many insurance plans and how to find a doctor.
Sign up for Understanding Your Insurance in English
Sign up for Understanding Your Insurance in Spanish
- Medicaid Eligibility and Coverage
English: April 11, 6 p.m.
Spanish: April 12, 6 p.m.
This training will help you learn about Illinois Medicaid programs. It will discuss who can have Medicaid and the programs for children and adults. You will learn what Medicaid covers and how to keep Medicaid coverage through the yearly redetermination process.
Sign up for Medicaid Eligibility and Coverage in English
Sign up for Medicaid Eligibility and Coverage in Spanish
- Insurance Appeals
English: May 9, 6 p.m.
Spanish: May 11, 6 p.m.
This training will cover information on health insurance appeals. You will learn what to do if your insurance doesn’t approve a service. You will also learn more about the appeal process and how to write an appeal letter. Examples will be available.
Sign up for Insurance Appeals in English
Sign up for Insurance Appeals in Spanish
Details about each series session are also posted on our Events page.
Each session will be recorded. You can access the recordings and related materials on our Family Education Webinars page.
There is no cost for families to participate.
If you have questions before or after a session, please email dscc@uic.edu or fill out our Contact Us form.
We hope you’ll join us!
Medicaid Members – Update Your Address
Don’t risk missing important paperwork and losing Medicaid coverage
Do you get health insurance through Medicaid?
Be sure your address is up-to-date so you don’t risk losing coverage.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) needs every Medicaid member to update their mailing address. This step can ensure you receive important paperwork about your benefits.
Medicaid pays for your health care, like visits to your doctor and your medicine. Updating your address can help you avoid surprises and get critical information about your insurance.
We urge all Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) participant families who receive Medicaid to make sure their contact information is current.
You can update your address in several easy steps:
- Call the HFS hotline at (877) 805-5312 from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Contact HFS via TTY at (877) 204-1012
- Fill out a quick online form at medicaid.illinois.gov.
To keep your Medicaid coverage, be sure to use an address where mail can always reach you.
For instructions in other languages, please visit HFS’ Address Update Messaging Toolkit webpage.
It’s been two years since HFS has asked Medicaid members to update their contact information. As the COVID-19 public health emergency continues, Medicaid members can stay insured without confirming all eligibility requirements.
Plans are underway to eventually end the public health emergency. An exact date is not yet known.
Once the date is set, HFS will mail important information about how to keep your Medicaid coverage.
Please update your address right away. The process is fast, easy and free.
We will share more details about the end of the public health emergency once they are available.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact your DSCC Care Coordinator. You can call our offices at (800) 322-3722.
Public Comment Period for MFTD Waiver Updates
The deadline to share feedback is June 30.
Families have an opportunity to share feedback on proposed updates to the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver for Medically Fragile, Technology Dependent (MFTD) Children.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is the Medicaid agency responsible for the MFTD waiver. Many families in the Home Care Program have children who receive services through the MFTD waiver.
HFS must renew Illinois’ MFTD waiver every five years. HFS and the Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) have partnered to make several changes as part of this year’s renewal process.
To review the full list of waiver updates, you can:
- See page 2 of the electronic copy of the proposed renewal application.
- Review a hard copy at HFS’ offices at:
- 201 South Grand Ave. E.,
Springfield, IL 62763 - 401 S. Clinton
Chicago, IL 60607
- 201 South Grand Ave. E.,
HFS now seeks public input on these changes. (You can read the public comment notice on the HFS website.)
The deadline to provide feedback is June 30.
You can share your feedback in two ways:
- Via email to HFS.HCBSWaiver@illinois.gov
- Via mail to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Attention: Waiver Operations Management, 201 South Grand Ave. E., 2FL, Springfield, IL 62763
HFS will send your comments to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as part of the waiver approval process.
If you have questions, please contact HFS’s Waiver Operations Management Unit at (217) 524-4148 or (844) 528-8444.
Portion of DSCC Families Now Enrolled in Managed Care
DSCC continues to provide care coordination services and support for affected families.
Illinois children with special healthcare needs who receive Medicaid are now enrolled in managed care.
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.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) moved children with special healthcare needs into a HealthChoice Illinois health plan on Feb. 1.
This transition affected participants enrolled with the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) who both:
- Receive Medicaid and
- Do not have private health insurance
DSCC staff is working with HFS and its partners to continue our care coordination services for DSCC families now enrolled in a HealthChoice Illinois health plan.
We are developing contracts with each HealthChoice Illinois plan so families continue to receive the right support for their unique needs and goals.
We will share more information about our partnership with each HealthChoice Illinois health plan once contracts are complete.
DSCC staff is here to help affected families with any questions about your new health plan.
You may contact your local DSCC regional office or reach us at (800) 322-3722 or dscc@uic.edu.
Reminder: Deadline Approaching for Families Affected by Managed Care Transition
Families transitioning to Medicaid managed care must select a health plan by or shortly after Jan. 10.
HealthChoice Illinois is the new Medicaid managed care program that is now required statewide.
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) will move children with special healthcare needs into a HealthChoice Illinois health plan on Feb. 1, 2020.
These families must choose a HealthChoice Illinois health plan and primary care provider (PCP) by or shortly after Jan. 10. (Please note the specific deadline for your family is included in the enrollment packet you received from HealthChoice Illinois last month).
The University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) urges families affected by this transition to research which plan is right for them.
If a family does not choose a plan before the deadline, HFS will automatically assign them a plan and PCP.
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 child 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 HealthChoice Illinois health plans to choose from.
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/. (Note the tip sheet is also available in Spanish.)
We strongly encourage families to use these tip sheet questions and reach out to a HealthChoice Illinois enrollment broker.
More information about Illinois’ managed care program is available at https://enrollhfs.illinois.gov/choose/compare-plans.
DSCC staff is working with HFS and its partners to continue our care coordination services for affected families beyond the Feb.1 transition.
We remain committed to supporting our families and making this transition to a new health plan as seamless as possible.
Families may contact their local DSCC regional office with questions. They may also reach us at (800) 322-3722 or dscc@uic.edu.