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Provider Notice Issued 11/03/2017
Date: November 3, 2017
To: All Medical Assistance Providers
Re: Succeeding in the New Managed Care Program Series (#5): How you can help your patients understand what they need to know about this transition
This is the fifth in a series of notices to help providers succeed with the upcoming enhancement of the Managed Care Program at the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS).
The new Managed Care Program is named “HealthChoice Illinois.”
Beginning on January 1, 2018, newly selected health plans under HealthChoice Illinois will have a contract to begin managing Medicaid client care in every Illinois County, phased-in according to the program expansion mail schedule. Upgrades built into the program will also help providers participate more easily.
Helping Clients Transition
HFS is in the process of mailing every beneficiary who will be part of HealthChoice Illinois to explain their options and opportunities. These letters explain how and when decisions will need to be made and seek to answer client questions.
Medical providers can help support this process. As trusted professionals who often have close relationships with those they serve, providers can offer information to make the transition to HealthChoice Illinois more seamless and effective.
HFS encourages providers to use the information in this series of notices to discuss the new program with their patients. Additionally, patient letter and flyer templates (pdf) are available that can be personalized to fit any individual needs. These templates can be modified with specific information and mailed to patients.
Health Plans will also be separately communicating individually with their clients to help emphasize this information. By hearing from several sources about HealthChoice Illinois, HFS is confident that Medicaid patients will receive the facts they need to succeed in the new program.
HFS designed HealthChoice Illinois to ensure that beneficiaries fully understand their options, but we understand there will be concerns and questions which will need to be addressed in the coming months. Providers are also encouraged to share the HFS HealthChoice Illinois enrollment website as an additional resource.
Provider assistance is greatly appreciated.
Understanding More
Articles in the HFS Succeeding in the new Managed Care series:
#1. What is my relationship with health plans that weren’t awarded a contract for the new program? (Exiting Health Plans Notice)
#2. Four key ways the new managed care will mean less work for providers (Benefits Notice)
#3. Simplified credentialing: Cutting back on provider overhead costs (Credentialing Notice)
#4. How HFS and the health plans will communicate transition details to clients (Transition Notice)
#5. How you can help your patients understand what they need to know about this transition
Additional information regarding HealthChoice Illinois may be found on the Department Website.
Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Department’s Bureau of Managed Care at 217-524-7478.
Felicia F. Norwood
Director