Healthcare

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides within 24 hours of admission to a correctional institution or facility of the Department of Corrections, each committed person shall be screened for substance use disorders as part of an initial and ongoing substance use screening and assessment process. Provides that this process includes screening and assessment for opioid use disorders. Provides that if at any time a committed person screens positive as having or being at risk for an opioid use disorder, is diagnosed with an opioid use disorder or is exhibiting symptoms of withdrawal from an opioid use disorder, and medication assisted treatment is clinically indicated by a licensed physician, a licensed physician assistant, or a licensed nurse practitioner, then the individual may consent to commence medications for opioid use disorder, which shall be provided by the Department. Provides that the committed person shall be authorized to receive the medication immediately and for as long as clinically indicated. Provides that upon reentry, the Department shall provide an individual participating in medication assisted treatment with a referral to a community-based provider who may assist the individual with continued medications for opioid use disorder and medication assisted treatment care.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of the Code, subject to federal approval, a ground ambulance service provider shall be entitled to payment equal to 100% of the applicable base rate, without mileage charges, in effect at the time of service for the services provided in the following situations if a ground ambulance is dispatched and (i) Advanced Life Support (ALS) Services, Intermediate Life Support (ILS) Services, or Basic Life Support (BLS) Services are provided to a recipient but that recipient subsequently refuses transport to a hospital or (ii) the recipient is pronounced dead after the dispatch of a ground ambulance to the scene of a request for service but before a recipient is placed into a ground ambulance.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after January 1, 2026, the reimbursement rates for all dental services for children shall be increased 50% above the rates in effect on December 31, 2025. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Changes the definition of "patient". Specifies that each patient has the right to be informed of additional information. Adds a right of each patient to be treated with courtesy and respect, to have the patient's human and civil rights maintained, and to have the patient's basic human needs accommodated in a timely manner. Adds a right of each patient to have the patient's medical directives reviewed with the health care provider before any procedures are scheduled or decisions are made. Adds a right of each patient to continuity and coordination of care among and between all disciplines serving the patient's needs. Adds a right of each patient who receives services from an outside provider to be told the identity of the provider. Updates the right of each patient to privacy and confidentiality, adding that (1) the patient shall be given current information in writing concerning certain aspects of the patient's care, (2) the patient may opt out, either digitally or in writing, from certain sharing of health information, and (3) the patient shall not be denied access to care if opting out. Makes changes to provisions regarding experimental procedures. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In a provision regarding student athletes and concussions and head injuries, further defines "physician" to include a chiropractic physician as defined in the Medical Practice Act of 1987. In a provision regarding health examinations and immunizations, allows a chiropractic physician licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to be responsible for the performance of an athletic physical examination and requires the chiropractic physician to sign all report forms required for the athletic physical examination. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning January 1, 2027, for a person who is a resident in a facility licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act or the MC/DD Act for whom payments are made under the Article throughout a month and who is determined to be eligible for medical assistance, the State shall pay an amount in addition to the minimum monthly personal needs allowance authorized under the Social Security Act so that the person's total monthly personal needs allowance from both State and federal sources equals $90. Provides that beginning January 1, 2028, the personal needs allowance described in the amendatory Act shall increase annually at the same rate as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment to take effect on January 1 of each year.

Amends the County Department of Corrections Division of the Counties Code, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act. Provides that, upon the release of a prisoner or committed person from a county correctional institution, county jail, or Department of Corrections correctional institution or facility, the sheriff, warden, or Department shall provide the prisoner or committed person with an opioid antagonist if the prisoner was incarcerated for drug-related charges or was identified as having a substance abuse disorder.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no provision of the Illinois Insurance Code, or any other law, prohibits assignability rights to an insured under any policy of dental insurance (in addition to accident and health insurance). Provides that if an enrollee or insured of an insurer, health maintenance organization, managed care plan, health care plan, preferred provider organization, dental service plan corporation, dental insurer, or third party administrator assigns a claim to a health care professional, or health care facility, a dental care provider, or a dental care facility, then payment shall be made directly to the health care professional, or health care facility, dental care provider, or dental care facility, including any required interest. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that a certified nurse midwife with full practice authority may enter into a written collaborative agreement with an advanced practice registered nurse. Provides that an advanced practice registered nurse certified as a nurse midwife may enter into a written collaborative agreement with an advanced practice registered nurse with full practice authority who is certified as a nurse midwife or a physician. Provides that, for an advanced practice registered nurse certified as a nurse midwife, the clinical experience shall be in collaboration with a certified nurse midwife with full practice authority. Makes conforming changes in provisions concerning written collaborative agreements, prescriptive authority under a written collaborative agreement, and full practice authority.

Amends the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a covered individual's defined cost sharing for each prescription drug shall be calculated at the point of sale based on a price that is reduced by an amount equal to at least 80% of all rebates received, or to be received, or to be received, in connection with the dispensing or administration of the prescription drug. Provides that a health insurer or its agents shall not publish or otherwise reveal information regarding the actual amount of rebates a health insurer receives on a product or therapeutic class of products, manufacturer-specific basis, or pharmacy-specific basis and that the information is confidential. Defines terms. Amends the Freedom of Information Act to make a conforming change. Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that a pharmacist may substitute a biological product (instead of an interchangeable biological product) if, among other requirements, the product being considered for substitution is either the reference product or a product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as a biosimilar of the prescribed biological product (instead of if the substituted product has been determined by the United States Food and Drug Administration to be interchangeable with the prescribed biological product). Makes conforming changes.