Illinois COVID-19 Update 

Link to all State of Illinois executive orders related to COVID-19 
Through emergency rules and an executive order, the Pritzker administration has significantly relaxed rules around telemedicine for both Medicaid and private insurers, allowing more providers to get reimbursed for these services that allow patients more flexibility and safety. For plans regulated by the Department of Insurance, the executive order calls for providers to be reimbursed at the same rate at which they are reimbursed for in-person visits and prohibits private health insurers from imposing any cost-sharing for in-network providers. For Medicaid, the emergency rules also require providers to be reimbursed at the same rate at which they are reimbursed for in-person visits.

The executive order covers non-ERISA commercial insurers and requires the following:
• In-network coverage requirement for telehealth services
• Prohibits unnecessary utilization control for telehealth
• No cost-sharing for in-network telehealth (high-deductible plan exception)
• Telehealth may be provided by any in-network provider regardless if they were previously designated as a telehealth provider

The emergency rules require Medicaid providers to be reimbursed at the same rate at which they are reimbursed for in-person visits.

Health Plan’s individual responses:

Blue Cross Blue Shield Provider Education 
United Health Care Provider Information
Cigna Provider Information
Aetna Information

IAFP also signed onto a letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) in response to COVID-19. Advocate groups and healthcare organizations are asking that the emergency SEP should be open to anyone who wishes to enroll. 

Trade associations representing partners across the entire health care spectrum came together with one voice in a letter to Vice President Pence and Congressional leaders. The letter emphasizes unwavering support in defending Americans from COVID-19, and expresses the immediate need for our nation’s leaders to take essential actions now to ensure that America has the resources to protect and care for our communities.