Provider Notice issued 02/19/13

Colbert v. Quinn (07 C 4737) Implementation Plan

On September 21, 2011, an informational notice was sent to Cook County nursing facilities regarding the United States District Court ruling in Colbert v. Quinn(pdf), No. 07 C 4737 (N.D. III). This notice stated that nursing facility residents must have an opportunity to receive the full array of supports and services in the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs, including community-based settings. This Consent Decree was approved in December, 2011, with the corresponding Implementation Plan (pdf) approved by the Court on November 8, 2012.

In accordance with this Implementation Plan, beginning in mid-February 2013, representatives of the AgeOptions, Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for suburban Cook County and the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, Aging and Disability Resource Network (ADRN) will begin the provision of Outreach and Education to Class Members. These agencies will be working with nursing facility staff to facilitate access to Class Member residents and significant others and to schedule individual and small group meetings at the facility.

Additionally, at this time, the process of Evaluation and Transition Planning for Class Members will begin. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has contracted with Aetna Better Health and IlliniCare Health Plan to provide care transition and coordination services. These Health Plans will be responsible for the evaluation of Class Members to determine appropriateness for community transition as well as for planning for transition to the community. As part of these responsibilities, the Health Plans will be meeting with current nursing facility residents identified through targeted outreach, including persons who are current Integrated Care Program (ICP) enrollees; persons identified through the ADRC/ADRNs; referrals from staff of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP), and with residents who self-refer.

It has been our experience that nursing home staff is one of the best sources of identifying individuals who are interested and able to transition to community residency and we would appreciate your support and cooperation in this effort. Please utilize the "Money Follows the Person" (MFP) online form to refer those

individuals identified by your staff who may be interested and appropriate for community transition. HFS will direct the referrals received through the online system to Aetna and IlliniCare for follow-up. The MFP Referral Form is located on the Department's website.

Please remind your staff of the important role they play in facilitating access to nursing home residents and their records, including all medical records as required. HFS appreciates your cooperation in implementation of this Consent Decree. If you have questions, please e-mail the Pathways to Community Living: Money Follows the Person program.

Theresa A. Eagleson, Administrator

Division of Medical Programs