Provider Notice issued 12/03/15

Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRF) Provisional License

To:     Long Term Care Facilities - Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRF) only​

Date: December 3, 2015

Re:    Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRF) Provisional License

In conjunction with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), this Notice provides information on the process for applying for provisional Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRF) licensure.

IDPH must receive written notification of voluntary withdrawal from participation in the federal certification program at least 30 days in advance of the selected withdrawal date. Due to state budgetary constraints and uncertainty, at this time IDPH is only accepting applications from eligible nursing facilities seeking provisional licensure for “Recovery and Rehabilitation Support” (RRS) units.   

  I.            Introduction

The Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities Code (77 Ill Adm Code 380) provides for a special category of licensure for long term care facilities that are federally designated as institutions for mental disease on July 22, 2013, and that specialize in providing services to individuals with serious mental illness.  IDPH is the sole agency responsible for licensure for the purpose of protecting the health, welfare, and safety of consumers; and ensuring the accountability for reimbursed care.  In order to continue to provide services to the clients in the facility, all facilities federally designated as institutions for mental disease and previously licensed as Subpart S or Subpart T of 77 Ill Adm. Code 300, must apply for provisional licensure.  For those providers participating in the Medicaid certification program, voluntary withdrawal will be effective December 31, 2015.  All licenses and licensing procedures established under Article III of the Nursing Home Care Act, except those contained in Section 3-202, remain valid until IDPH establishes licensure, provisional licensure and licensing procedures for SMHRFs.  Once the licensing procedures have been established and implemented, there is not an option for a provider to be dually licensed as a skilled/intermediate/SMHRF, or to retain its licensure as a skilled and/or intermediate care facility.  No more than 24 SMHRF provisional licenses will be issued statewide.

    II.        Disqualified Entities

Any facility whose license has been revoked is disqualified from obtaining a provisional SMHRF license.  Any facility that has a pending Notice of Revocation and Opportunity for Hearing is disqualified from obtaining a provisional license until the Notice of Revocation is resolved.

   III.        Application Package

Facilities applying for provisional licensure as a SMHRF must submit the information required on the forms provided at:  http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/health-care-regulation/icf_iid.  All components of the Application Package will be accepted by the IDPH on or after March 1, 2016, including the following:

a.    A non-refundable license fee of $5,700;

b.    Licensure Application;

c.    Personal Data Sheet;

d.    Bed Capacity Form;

e.    Plan of Operation;

f.     Financial Statement; and,

g.    Documentation that a needs assessment survey was performed justifying the levels of service to be provided.

  IV.        Application Review Timeframes

a.    IDPH will accept the application package on or after March 1, 2016.  Applications should be submitted to, Illinois Department of Public Health, Office of Health Care Regulation, Bureau of Long Term Care-Division of Field Operations, 525 West Jefferson,  5^th Floor, Springfield IL, 62761-0001.

b.    Within 30 days from receipt of the application package, IDPH will notify applicant as to whether its application is:

                                          i.    Complete and accepted for review; OR

                                        ii.    Incomplete and requiring additional information.  Applicant then has 30 days to submit the required information. If the required information is not submitted to IDPH within 30 days, the application will be considered withdrawn.

c.    Once an application is accepted for review, IDPH will approve or deny the application within 60 days.

                                          i.    If the application is denied, IDPH will provide the reason for denial and will inform applicant of its right to appeal.

                                         ii.    If IDPH does not notify the applicant within 60 days of accepting the application for review, the applicant may request a review by the IDPH Director.

    V.        Requirements for Provisional License

a.    The Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities Code provides that provisional SMHRF licenses are effective for three years.  Only applications for provisional licensure for “Recovery and Rehabilitation Support” (RRS) units will be accepted on or after March 1, 2016.

b.    All staff must be hired in accordance with the requirements for each level of service prior to the beginning of clinical operations for the respective level of service.

c.    Crisis stabilization, transitional living units and recovery and rehabilitation support units must comply with the physical plant standards in Subpart E of the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities Code within three years of May 22, 2014.  Triage centers must comply with all physical plant standards prior to the beginning of clinical operations.

  VI.        IDPH Survey for Provisional License

Once an application is accepted for review, IDPH will schedule and conduct a Licensure Initial Provisional (LIP) survey at the facility.  Survey activities will include record review, observations and interviews.  The survey will include, at a minimum, a review of the following areas:

a.    Personnel qualifications

b.    Staffing

c.    Screening/Admissions;

d.    Environmental, Dietary, Dental and Laundry Services;

e.    Health (Nursing and Medical) Environment

f.     Pharmacy Services;

g.    Abuse Prohibition;

h.    Records;

i.      Infection Control and immunizations;

j.      Support services;

k.    Life Safety Code;

l.      Community Linkage; and,

m.   Accreditation Benchmark Review

 VII.        IDPH Determination

Upon receipt of the required fee and a complete application along with verification of the facility’s full or acceptable compliance with Part 380, IDPH will make a final determination on issuance of a provisional licensure based upon all of the above.

a.    If approved, a provisional SMHRF license for Recovery and Rehabilitation Support (RRS) units will be issued.

b.    If denied, the applicant may appeal the denial and request a hearing.

Questions regarding the application process will be accepted at DPH.SMHRF@illinois.gov.  IDPH will maintain a list of questions and responses and post to the website on a bi-weekly basis as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s).

If you have questions regarding this notice, contact IDPH Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities at 217-782-2716.

Felicia F. Norwood

Director