The Illinois General Assembly offers the Google Translate™ service for visitor convenience. In no way should it be considered accurate as to the translation of any content herein.
Visitors of the Illinois General Assembly website are encouraged to use other translation services available on the internet.
The English language version is always the official and authoritative version of this website.
NOTE: To return to the original English language version, select the "Show Original" button on the Google Translate™ menu bar at the top of the window.
Synopsis As Introduced Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that under the Medicaid program, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse psychiatrists for mental health services they provide, as authorized by Illinois law, to recipients via telepsychiatry. Requires the Department to adopt rules establishing a method to reimburse providers for mental health services provided by telepsychiatry. Provides that the reimbursement methodology for mental health services provided by telemedicine shall be comparable to the reimbursement methodology used by the Department for other services provided by telemedicine. Effective immediately.
Fiscal Note (Dept. of Healthcare & Family Services)
The current HFS telemedicine program does not cover mental health services. If mental health services are expanded into the telemedicine program, access to mental health services are expected to increase significantly. With increased access comes increased utilization, equating to increased cost. If current services with a diagnosis code of mental health increases by just 5%, cost is estimated at $8 million annually. Although there are potential savings, any assumptions are speculative and caution should be used when defining any. Federal match is available for telemedicine services. However, the scope of services in this bill is broader than current Federal regulations allow. FFP cannot be guaranteed at this time.
This site is maintained for the Illinois General Assembly
by the Legislative Information System, 705 Stratton Building, Springfield, Illinois 62706
Contact ILGA Webmaster