DHFS-COMMUNITY ACCESS HOSPITAL

Creates the Community Hospital Access, Relationship, and Equity (CARE) Act. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish a community hospital pilot program to expand access to health care options through the use of prepayment plans to secure improved access to health care navigators, physician networks, prescription drugs at reduced prices, and transparent health care pricing. Provides that no later than December 1, 2021, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services shall identify a community hospital in (i) the Cook County region; (ii) a suburban region; and (iii) a rural region of the State that is eligible to participate in the pilot program. Provides that the hospitals must provide pediatric services, diagnostic services, emergency room services, standard chronic care treatments, and obstetrics services. Provides that for a period of 3 years after selection, each community hospital may craft hospital community access plans that achieve the following for underinsured or uninsured patients: (1) charge patients capped annual fees in exchange for an assigned patient navigator; (2) for patients who have contracted for administrative services, grant access to all health care professional services with capped billing amounts; provide a list of medical services offered by the community hospital or in-network providers; and allow prescription fills at federal pricing levels; (3) identify out-of-network providers and associated costs for services not available at the community hospital; and (4) assist patients with referrals to appropriate federal and State agencies when they have a grievance, complaint, or question regarding their health plan or coverage. Contains provisions concerning reporting requirements. Provides that the Act is repealed on June 30, 2025. Effective immediately.