Amends the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. Provides that initial physical therapy evaluations without a referral or an established diagnosis may be performed by a licensed physical therapist via telehealth when the physical therapist determines that an in-person examination is not required based on the physical therapist's clinical judgment and the applicable standard of care (rather than cannot be performed via telehealth unless necessary to address a documented hardship). Provides that a physical therapist or a licensed physical therapy assistant may require the patient to undergo an in-person visit instead of providing telehealth services (rather than the use of telehealth as a primary means of delivering physical therapy must be an exception and documentation must support the clinical justification). Provides that a physical therapist providing telehealth must have the capacity to provide or be able to facilitate a referral to in-person care within the State (rather than must only have the capacity to provide in-person care). Provides that the standard of care for a patient receiving physical therapy through telehealth is equal to the standard of care for in-person care.
Amends the Telehealth Act. Adds acupuncturist to providers included in the meaning of "health care professional". Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act. Provides that the standard of care for a patient under the Act shall be the same whether a patient is seen in person, through telemedicine, or through another method of electronically-enabled health care. Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, by rule, to determine the appropriate acupuncture services allowed via telemedicine in consultation with the Board of Acupuncture. Provides that a person who engages in the practice of telemedicine without a license issued under the Act shall be subject to the penalties provided in the Act. Provides that, if the Department has reason to believe that a person has violated the provisions regarding telemedicine, the Department may issue a rule to show cause stating the reasons why an order to cease and desist should not be entered against the person. Provides that the rule shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide the person with a period of 7 days after the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department. Provides that failure to answer to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease and desist to be issued immediately. Provides that a person residing out-of-state that provides services through telemedicine to a patient residing in the State submits himself or herself to the jurisdiction of the Department and the courts of the State.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that all group and individual health insurance policies issued, delivered, amended, or renewed in Illinois that provide coverage for medical or surgical conditions shall also provide coverage for crisis services, regardless of any difference in billing codes used for such services. Provides that coverage for crisis services may not be denied or restricted based on the modality or setting of the services; and that crisis services shall be covered whether delivered in person, through telehealth, or in a residential or outpatient setting, to the extent that such services are covered in other settings or modalities under the policy. Makes conforming changes to the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Telehealth Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Amends the Strengthening and Transforming Behavioral Health Crisis Care in Illinois Act. Renames the Act the Crisis Continuum Sustainability Act. Provides that on or before December 31, 2028, and every 5 years thereafter, the Department of Human Services shall, subject to available funding and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and State bodies, develop and submit a Statewide Crisis Continuum Strategic Plan to the Office of the Governor and the General Assembly, with the goal of ensuring every Illinoisan has timely access to appropriate and supportive behavioral health response during a behavioral health crisis. Requires the strategic plan to identify statewide goals, key stakeholders, and performance metrics for expanding access to behavioral health crisis continuum services across Illinois; address gaps in service delivery; and other matters.
Amends the Telehealth Act. Provides that an out-of-state health care professional may treat a patient located in this State through telehealth if the patient is a student attending an institution of higher education in this State, but is otherwise not a resident of the State when not attending the institution of higher education.
Amends the Telehealth Act. Provides that no health care provider, health care facility, or associated entity shall impose or collect a facility fee in connection with any telehealth services provided to patients in the State of Illinois. Provides that the prohibition does not apply to any fees that are directly related to in-person services that may be required to supplement telehealth care if such fees are itemized and clearly communicated to the patient before the in-person services are provided.
Appropriates $4,500,000 to the State Board of Education for grants to school districts to contract with organizations that directly provide students and school-based staff with mental telehealth services that are billed to Medicaid and commercial insurance plans. Effective July 1, 2025.
Appropriates $4,500,000 to the State Board of Education for grants to school districts to contract with organizations that directly provide students and school-based staff with mental telehealth services that are billed to Medicaid and commercial insurance plans. Effective July 1, 2025.
