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Enrollment in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults (HBIA) program will be temporarily paused effective July 1, 2023.

Enrollment in the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors (HBIS) program will be temporarily paused effective Nov. 6, 2023.

Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

Provider Notice Issued 01/12/2021

Date:    January 12, 2021

 

To:       Enrolled Dental Providers

 

Re:      All Kids School Dental Program Update       

 

 

 

 

This notice informs dental providers that thetemporary postponement of the All Kids School Dental Program for this schoolyear has been lifted. This change affects dental providers treating childrencovered under both traditional fee-for-service and HealthChoice Illinois managed care plans. The postponement was necessary dueto the implications of the public health emergency as a result of COVID-19.

 

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and FamilyServices (HFS) has worked closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health(DPH) to assess opportunities that support children and their families’ oralhealth during this challenging time. Although there continues to be a publicemergency in place, HFS and DPH agree that if possible, it is beneficial tohave the All Kids School Dental Program available to school districts, day carecenters and Head Start programs that will allow dental providers to come backinto their facilities.

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)state on its School Sealant Programs webpage that school sealant programs are a veryeffective way to provide preventive oral health services to children who are athigher risk of developing cavities and less likely to receive private dentalcare. The All Kids School Dental Program can be safely restarted with adherenceto the guidance issued by the CDC. Providers should workclosely with school administration and local public health officials indetermining the timeline and a plan for restarting school-based dentalservices. Considerationsfor School Sealant Programs During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)Pandemic offers important information for service providers and schooladministrators to review and follow.

 

Questions regarding this notice may be directedto the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services at 877-782-5565, yourDentaQuest provider representative or the appropriate HealthChoiceIllinois plan.

 

 

 

Kelly Cunningham, Administrator

Division of Medical Programs​