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Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

Provider Notice issued 08/03/05

To: Participating Durable Medical Equipment Providers, Long Term Care Facilities and Pharmacies

Date: August 3, 2005

Re:  Coverage of Wound Care Dressings

 

Effective September 1, 2005, providers will be required to bill wound care dressing supplies through the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) claims processing system. Wound care dressing supplies billed through the pharmacy system, including point-of-sale claims, will reject for dates of service of September 1, 2005 and after.

As a reminder, department policy states that medical equipment, devices and supplies commonly used in patient care are included in the per diem reimbursement the department pays to Long Term Care (LTC) facilities and cannot be billed separately. Wound care dressings are defined as a medical supply by the department, and, as such, are the responsibility of the LTC facility. This policy is in accordance with 89 Illinois Administrative Code, 140.476 and 140.511 .

 

For dual-eligible beneficiaries, wound care dressing supplies must be billed to Medicare before being submitted to the department.

 

Please remember, providers wishing to receive e-mail notification when new provider information has been posted by the department, may register at the following HFS Web site:

 

                                                             http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/provrel/

 

Healthcare and Family Services
Public Aid has a new name

 

The name of the Department of Public Aid (DPA) has changed to Healthcare and Family Services, HFS for short.

 

You will soon see the new name on forms, letters and the Internet. Until existing form supplies are exhausted, however, we will continue to use materials bearing the former DPA name and logo. Either version of documents should be considered official regardless of the department name they bear.

 

Only our name has changed. HFS's programs, staff, office locations, mailing addresses and phone numbers remain the same as DPA's.

 

We believe our new name more clearly reflects our mission of service to the State of Illinois including providing access to health care for over two million Illinoisans. In our work, we deeply appreciate your participation in our programs. We hope this change poses no inconvenience or confusion for you.

 

If you have any questions concerning this notice, you may contact the Bureau of Comprehensive Health Services toll-free at 1-877-782-5565.

 

Anne Marie Murphy, Ph.D.
Administrator
Division of Medical Programs