Healthcare

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. In provisions concerning medical debt, provides that it is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act for any person: (1) to use a medical debt listed on a consumer credit report as a negative or adverse factor when making a credit decision; or (2) to furnish information regarding a medical debt to a consumer reporting agency. Provides that a medical debt is void and unenforceable if a person to whom a medical debt is owed or an agent of that person knowingly furnishes information regarding the medical debt to a consumer reporting agency.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. In provisions requiring specified medical and mental health professionals to notify the Department of Human Services whenever they determine a person who is under their professional care poses a clear and present danger to himself or herself, provides that the identity of the reporter shall not be disclosed to the subject of the report unless ordered by the Firearm Owner's Identification Card Review Board or a court with appropriate jurisdiction in accordance with the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services and its employees or agents shall not be held liable for damages in any civil action arising from the disclosure or non-disclosure of the information released in accordance with the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Adds similar provisions to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act.

Amends the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act, the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act, and the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. In provisions concerning the use of dry needling, provides that "dry needling", also known as intramuscular therapy, means an advanced needling skill or technique limited to the treatment of myofascial pain, using a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle (rather than a single use, single insertion, sterile filiform needle without the use of heat, cold, or any other added modality or medication), that is inserted into the skin or underlying tissues to stimulate trigger points. Provides that "dry needling" does not include the teaching or application of acupuncture in accordance with traditional and modern practices of East Asian medical theory (rather than the teaching or application of acupuncture described by the stimulation of auricular points, utilization of distal points or non-local points, needle retention, application of retained electric stimulation leads, or other acupuncture theory).

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide coverage under the medical assistance program for intensive outpatient services delivered via telehealth when the services: (1) are otherwise covered when provided in person; (2) are medically necessary; (3) are delivered by a provider enrolled in the medical assistance program and acting within the scope of the provider's license, certification, or authorization under State law; and (4) comply with all applicable federal and State telehealth requirements. Provides that intensive outpatient services provided via telehealth shall be subject to the same coverage requirements, utilization management, and reimbursement methodologies as intensive outpatient services provided in person. Sets forth standards for telehealth delivery of intensive outpatient services. Provides that implementation of the provisions is subject to any required federal approval. Effective immediately.

Creates the Custody Relinquishment Prevention Involving Children with Developmental Disabilities Act. Provides that the Act establishes a pathway for families on the verge of seeking services for their child's developmental disability through relinquishment of parental custody to the Department of Children and Family Services, despite the absence of abuse or neglect, to receive services through the appropriate State child-serving agency. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Public Health to enter into an interagency agreement for the purpose of preventing children and youth with developmental disabilities who are not otherwise abused or neglected from entering the custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services solely for purposes of receiving specialized services and supports to address the child's or youth's needs. Provides that under the interagency agreement, the listed agencies shall establish an interagency clinical team to review cases of children and youth with developmental disabilities who live at home with their families and are at risk of relinquishment, and to connect the child or youth and his or her family with the appropriate services, treatment, and support to prevent custody relinquishment to the Department of Children and Family Services. Contains provisions on what issues must be addressed in the interagency agreement; annual outcomes and data reports to the General Assembly; and other matters. Requires the listed agencies to adopt rules providing that any employee of that Department who encourages a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult to relinquish custody of a child with a developmental disability solely to access specialized services and supports through the appropriate State child-serving agency, despite the absence of abuse or neglect, is subject to termination.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows a decal to be issued for sickle cell anemia awareness. Provides that a $25 fee for original issuance shall be paid with $10 to the Sickle Cell Anemia License Fund and $15 to the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that a $25 fee for renewal shall be paid with $23 to the Sickle Cell Anemia License Fund and $2 to the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Creates the Sickle Cell Anemia License Fund, from which all money shall be paid as grants to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.

Amends the Medicaid Technical Assistance Act. Requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to collaborate with public and private partners throughout the State to identify, establish, and maintain best practices necessary for health providers to ensure their capacity to participate in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program (rather than ensure their capacity to participate in HealthChoice Illinois or YouthCare). Requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to promote equitable delivery systems, remaining committed to the principle that all Medicaid recipients have accessible and equitable physical and mental health care services. Removes provisions concerning the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center's administration of network adequacy reports, and instead requires the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center to administer a network requirement plan. Provides that by using reports and data provided by the Department of Healthcare and Family Service's External Quality Review Organization on network adequacy, provider service deserts, and health care disparities by race and ethnicity, the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center shall propose for Department review and approval an annual plan for recruiting providers to participate in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program and report on outcomes of its recruitment efforts to the Department for continuous improvement. Repeals a provision requiring the Department to maximize federal financial participation for any moneys appropriated to the Department for the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center and to deposit all federal financial participation funds into the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund. Repeals a provision creating the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides for the dissolution of the Medicaid Technical Assistance Center Fund on July 1, 2026, or as soon thereafter as practical, after the transfer of all remaining funds into the Healthcare Provider Relief Fund. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning biomarker testing: makes changes to defined terms; requires applicable health insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to update and make publicly available medical policies and coverage guidelines within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act; provides that, if a health insurer or nonprofit health service plan denies a claim for coverage of testing that is supported by any specified evidence, the insurer or nonprofit health service plan shall provide to the requesting entity specific written justification explaining in detail why the claim for coverage was denied as it pertains to the individual for whom the test was ordered; sets forth provisions concerning utilization review and prior authorization; provides that the Department of Insurance may conduct periodic audits and reviews to ensure entity compliance; and makes other changes.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Service to publish annually, beginning January 1, 2027, the assessment instruments used by the Department's Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure, and Certification to survey and license providers of community-integrated living arrangement homes for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Requires rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall allow for an alternative rural staffing model for vehicle service providers that serve a rural or semi-rural population of 10,000 or fewer inhabitants and exclusively use volunteers, paid-on-call, or part-time employees, or a combination thereof (now, the use of part-time employees is not an option). Effective immediately.