Agencies
Services
Provider Notice issued 05/08/2026
Supportive Living Program Medicaid Admission Requirements
| To: |
Supportive Living Program (SLP) |
| Re: |
Supportive Living Program Medicaid Admission Requirements |
| Date: | May 8, 2026 |
This notice informs Supportive Living Program (SLP) providers that any admission criteria requiring potential residents to pay privately for a set period prior to applying for Medicaid is not allowed (42 CFR 447.15).
A request to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’) Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for clarification regarding the above issue indicates that anyone wishing to apply for Medicaid must be able to do so.
The terms of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) IMPACT Provider Agreement states that the provider agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and that Medicaid payment is payment in full. The Social Security Act (SSA) states that no Medicaid provider may place barriers to individuals wishing to apply for Medicaid.
Even if a person enters the SLP as a private pay resident and is later determined to have been Medicaid-eligible at the time of admission, the SLP would have to refund any payment in excess of the amount determined by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to be the resident’s responsibility.
CMS further states that SLP providers who choose to limit services to privately paying residents, even for a set period, cannot be a Medicaid provider. Since SLP is a Medicaid Program, this would result in the provider’s SLP certification being withdrawn.
Questions regarding this notice should be directed to the Bureau of Long-Term Care Supportive Living Program via email at HFS.SLF@illinois.gov.
Laura Phelan, Administrator
Division of Medical Programs