Illinois Health Connect Overview
The following information is provided to Access to Care physicians as a courtesy to help understand the State programs for the uninsured.
The Illinois Department of Health Care and Family Services is starting a new health care program in Illinois. Illinois Health Connect
is a statewide Primary Care Case Management (PCCM) program. In Illinois Health Connect, most people with an HFS (Health and Family Services) or All Kids medical card will have a medical home through a Primary Care Provider (PCP).

Through the services of Automated Health Systems (AHS),eligible participants (predominantly pregnant women, parents,children, and adults with disabilities) will choose a PCP who will manage their care, provide immunizations and other primary and preventive health care services and help avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations. PCP's will make referrals for additional care when needed. Individuals enrolled in the following programs may NOT join the Illinois Health Connect program; Illinois Healthy Women, All Kids Rebate, FamilyCare Rebate, Illinois Cares Rx, Transitional Assistance for ages 19 and older, Emergency Medical Only, Hospice, and Sexual Assault, Renal and Hemophilia Programs. If you as an Access to Care physician have patients that may benefit from the Illinois Health Connect program, have them call the HFS Health Benefits Hotline toll-free at 1-866-468-7543 to inquire about enrollment.

PCP's will be paid a special monthly fee for each person whose care they are responsible to manage: $2 for children, $3 for parents, $4 for disabled and elderly enrollees. This monthly care management fee will be paid even if the enrollee does not get services. PCP's will continue to receive regular fee-for-service reimbursement from HFS. Physicians may have up to a maximum of 1,800 enrollees. You may limit the number of Illinois Health Connect patients. You may also opt out of auto-assignment.

Throughout the State, Illinois Health Connect will be phased in by county. Mandatory implementation for Cook County was in
December of 2006. Information taken from www.illinoishealthconnect.com. Provider information and contracts are available on the above web site. This program may benefit patients that are not eligible for Access to Care.

Access to Care Physicians and the Media
Thank you to Access to Care participating physicians who have generously offered to speak with media representatives about Access to Care. The program has received a great deal of publicity recently and the participation of ATC physicians is helpful to the success of media stories.

Having an Access to Care patient and physician speaking about the program helps the public to understand the problems uninsured people face. Media coverage not only helps people who need the services of Access to Care, but can also help to secure new funding sources.

Without your help, Access to Care could not exist. Thank you for caring about medically indigent individuals in Cook County.

Patient's Lab Test and X-Ray Facilities
Access to Care would like to thank the participating physicians for their cooperation in using commercial laboratories for patient lab testing. All contracted laboratories have courier services and collection sites. When you contracted with Access to Care your staff received a manual detailing what services are covered under the program.

If your office collects lab specimens, please be sure to send them to one of the contracted courier services listed in the Physician's Manual. The patient will be charged the full price of the test if sent to a lab other than those listed. The patient must pay the $5 drawing
fee directly to your office. If your practice does not collect patient specimen's in the office, please have the patient check his/her "Your Guide to Access to Care" to determine the closest drawing site for the laboratory test you have ordered.

The program has recently added ACL Laboratories to its list of contracted lab services. This adds 4 new patient service centers in the north, 7 in the south and 1 in the Chicago territory. Other lab services contracting with Access to Care are: Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center with 20 locations, Medstar with 11 patient service centers, LabCorp with 8 service centers, Doctor's General Laboratory, and Evergreen-Sheridan Laboratories, Ltd.

Patients must pay the $5 copay at the drawing site. All Access to Care patients receive "Your Guide to Access to Care" which lists the addresses and phone numbers of all 54 laboratory patient service centers. It is ultimately the responsibility of the patient to know where the testing sites are located. Physicians need to write the order for a specific covered lab test. If your office is not sure if a test is covered under Access to Care, call the administrative office at 708-531-0680.

The Access to Care Guide also lists locations for x-ray services. If the patient goes to a location other than those listed, Access to Care
will NOT cover the x-ray charges.

Please instruct the patient to check their guide before making an appointment for x-rays. Access to Care would not be a successful program without the generosity of the participating physicians. Patients like knowing they have a doctor to whom they can turn when the need arises.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Access to Care DVD
Access to Care has produced a DVD explaining the program services and benefits. "Seeing the Invisible" was created to reach new audiences. If you or any of your staff would like a copy, contact Kate Barnickel at 708-531-0780.