MEDICAID-VENDORS-PENALTIES

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Establishes civil penalties ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for any person (including a vendor, organization, agency, or other entity, but excluding a recipient) who: knowingly presents or causes to be presented a fraudulent claim for payment under the State's medical assistance program; knowingly gives or causes to be given to any person, with respect to coverage for inpatient hospital services under the medical assistance program, information that he or she knows or should know is false or misleading; arranges or contracts (by employment or otherwise) with an individual or entity that the person knows or should know is excluded from participation in a federal or state health care program, including, but not limited to, the medical assistance program, for the provision of items or services for which payment may be made under such a program; or commits other specified fraudulent acts. Provides that the Director of Healthcare and Family Services may make a determination to terminate, suspend, bar, or exclude the person from participation in the medical assistance program, but not before granting the affected individual, entity, or vendor an opportunity for a hearing after reasonable notice. Provides that a final order, decision, or other determination made by the Director is subject to review in accordance with the Administrative Review Law. Removes language allowing the Department to recover interest on the amount of an overpayment. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.