IM+CANS Provider Portal

This IM+CANS Provider Portal is designed for the collection, management and analysis of data from the Illinois Medicaid Comprehensive Assessment of Needs and Strengths (IM+CANS) instrument. 

The IM+CANS is a comprehensive, lifespan tool for assessing the needs and strengths of individuals who require mental health treatment in Illinois.  This unique tool was built for Illinois in consultation with national expert Dr. John Lyons and his team, and with input from state agency partners.  The IM+CANS integrates assessment and treatment planning into a single process.  It contains a complete set of core items that assess function across multiple life domains such as risk behaviors, trauma exposure, behavioral/emotional needs, substance use, and cultural factors, as well as a physical health risk assessment.

The IM+CANS Provider Portal can be accessed by using this link

The IM+CANS Provider Portal is designed to serve staff of HFS enrolled provider agencies, those certified in the IM+CANS tool, and those who serve Medicaid or HFS funded enrollees. Certification requires successful completion of a one-day, in person IM+CANS training and certification exam. The certification exam must be completed annually to maintain certification. You do not need to be certified in the IM+CANS to have access to the IM+CANS Provider Portal.

Provider agencies can create and manage the accounts for their own employees. Agencies will work with the IM-Assist Help Desk to identify a Primary and Secondary Administrative User for their agency. The Administrative Users will be responsible for creating and maintaining the user accounts for their own provider agency staff.

The IM+CANS Provider Portal associates staff who are employed by the same provider agency by using the HFS Provider Identification Number (Provider ID), which allows shared access to IM+CANS created by staff under the same Provider ID. Administrative Users will only be able to create and edit staff accounts under the HFS Provider ID tied to their Administrative User Account.

If a provider has multiple Provider IDs enrolled with HFS, they will need to identify an Administrative User for each unique Provider ID. If a provider wishes to utilize the same individual for multiple Provider IDs, the Administrative User will require a separate Administrative User Account for each Provider ID.

Providers must request the creation or modification of an Administrative User Account by using the IM+CANS Provider Portal Administrative User Request Form, which is available below.

IM+CANS Administrative User Request Form

Please submit completed requests to the IM-Assist Help Desk at OMI.CANSAccount@uillinois.edu

Agencies have the option to utilize Direct Data Entry (DDE) within the portal, batch upload, or a combination of the two, depending on what works best for each unique provider agency.

Providers should enter or upload data to the Portal within 10 business days of the LPHA signature once they are able to actively enter data into the IM+CANS Portal.

For agencies who utilize an Electronic Health Record/System and want to avoid duplicate data entry, the IM+CANS Portal accommodates a process by which providers may batch upload data into the Portal.

Provider agencies that plan to utilize the Batch Upload process must use a standardized file format provided by the Department. HFS has created a specific user guide for the Batch Upload Process for providers to utilize when creating their export files and when uploading to the Portal.

For assistance with Batch Import, please contact HFS.CRM.Help@illinois.gov

• HFS IM+CANS Sample XML Batch upload - Revised 06/17/2024
• HFS IM+CANS Data Dictionary (xlsx) - Revised 06/17/2024
• HFS IM+CANS Webinars and FAQs

• ​HFS IMCANS Batch Import Guide (PDF)
• HFS IMCANS Data Dictionary (xlsx) - REVISED: 2022-11-04 (added values to CANS Treatment Plan Service Place)
• HFS IMCANS Sample XML Batch Upload (zip) - REVISED: 2020-02-03 (Added Sub Abuse History fields )​
• HFS HRA Sample XML Batch Upload (zip) - REVISED: 2020-10-23 (added change log, corrections)​
• IM+CANS Provider Portal - Batch Upload Development Webinar Recording

Questions about policy on the IM+CANS or IATP service: HFS.IATP@illinois.gov

Clinical questions regarding the use of the IM+CANS tool or IM+CANS training and certification should be directed to IM-CANS@illinois.edu

For technical assistance with the portal, please contact the IM-Assist Help Desk at OMI.CANSAccount@uillinois.edu

• IM+CANS Provider Portal - Informational Webinar Recording
• IM+CANS Provider Portal - Webinar Training FAQs
• HFS Website - Information on IATP
• Handbook for Providers of Community Based Behavioral Services (CBS)
• HFS IMPACT Portal
• HFS Provider Notices
• Title 89, Ill. Admin. Code, Section 140.453
• Authorization for Disclosing or Obtaining Information​
• Authorization for Disclosing or Obtaining Information - Spanish

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or you have concerns for their immediate safety, that they may harm themselves or worry that they may require inpatient psychiatric treatment, please contact the CARES line at 1-800-345-9049 to access mobile crisis response services. Services are available 24/7, 365 days a year.

If you need immediate assistance or are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact 911.