Gov. JB Pritzker signed the annual Medicaid omnibus into law last week, which will boost rates for a variety of healthcare providers. [Health News Illinois]

The plan includes a 30 percent increase for substance use disorder treatment, 12 percent for nursing home support, a 10 percent increase for hospitals and an additional $50 million annually to support increases for federally qualified health centers.

Most rate increases will be implemented next January. 

The proposal also gives the Department of Healthcare and Family Services the ability to address the cost of a program that provides Medicaid-like coverage to certain undocumented individuals.

The agency released emergency rulemaking later Friday afternoon, which includes halting enrollment in the program as well as implementing copays for some hospital services.

Other provisions in the law include:

·    Setting aside funding for specified services provided by community mental health centers, such as mobile crisis response and crisis intervention. Rate increases will be determined “with significant input from Illinois behavioral health trade associations and advocates.”

·    Providing $3.5 million for the Department of Public Health to support critical access hospitals in Illinois, specifically for perinatal and behavioral healthcare services.

·    Establishing reimbursement for telehealth for developmentally disabled individuals.

·    Granting the Departments of Human Services and Healthcare and Family Services emergency rulemaking to address substance use disorder residential and detox rate equity.

·    Laying the groundwork, procedures and limitations for pharmacy audits.

###