• Governor Pritzker to Extend Modified Stay-At-Home Order through May 30^th
• Congress Advances Relief Package 3.5 to the President
• DHS-DDD Communication Released
• DHS- DDD MOBIUS Remittance Report Error
• Temporary Guidelines to Allow Designated Assisters to Assist Clients Telephonically During COVID-19 Emergency
• PSR Eligibility for Telehealth Confirmed
• IHH Program Officially Delayed Until January 1, 2021
• HFS Releases Guidance on SASS and MCR
• TRO on Worker’s Compensation Emergency Rule
• Federal Government Releases COVID-19 Telehealth Toolkit to Accelerate State Use of Telehealth in Medicaid and CHIP
• Foothold Technology’s Project Expression: Representing our Core Values through Art
• Professional Medical PPE Availability
• ANCOR Provides Guidance on Federal CMS an updated COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers
• Payment Relief Expansion Coming for Student Loan Borrowers

GOVERNOR PRITZKER TO EXTEND MODIFIED STAY-AT-HOME ORDER THROUGH MAY 30TH
Yesterday, during the daily press briefing, Governor Pritzker announced that next week he would sign another Executive Order extending the stay-at-home order through May 30^th. Of significance is this new EO would lift some restrictions, yet also add others. What was gleaned yesterday:

1. OUTDOOR RECREATION: State parks will begin a phased re-opening under guidance from the Department of Natural Resources. Fishing and boating in groups of no more than two people will be permitted. A list of parks that will be open on May 1 and additional guidelines can be found on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website HERE . Golf will be permitted under strict safety guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and when ensuring that social distancing is followed.
2. NEW ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES: Greenhouses, garden centers and nurseries may re-open as essential businesses. These stores must follow social distancing requirements and must require that employees and customers wear a face covering. Animal grooming services may also re-open.
3. NON-ESSENTIAL RETAIL: Retail stores not designated as non-essential businesses and operations may re-open to fulfill telephone and online orders through pick-up outside the store and delivery.
4. FACE COVERINGS: Beginning on May 1, individuals will be required to wear a face-covering or a mask when in a public place where they can’t maintain a six-foot social distance. Face-coverings will be required in public indoor spaces, such as stores. This new requirement applies to all individuals over the age of two who are able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask.
5. ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND MANUFACTURING: Essential businesses and manufacturers will be required to provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing, as well as follow new requirements that maximize social distancing and prioritize the well-being of employees and customers. This will include occupancy limits for essential businesses and precautions such as staggering shifts and operating only essential lines for manufacturers.
6. SCHOOLS: Educational institutions may allow and establish procedures for pick-up of necessary supplies or student belongings. Dormitory move-outs must follow public health guidelines, including social distancing.

(Contact: All Staff)

CONGRESS ADVANCES RELIEF PACKAGE 3.5 TO THE PRESIDENT
Yesterday the U.S. House passed COVID-19 relief package #4, which will put an additional $321 billion into the Paycheck Protection Program, $60 billion in economic disaster loans for small businesses, $70 billion in economic disaster loans for hospitals, and $25 billion to ramp up testing.

What seems glaringly absent at this point is directed resources for community-based I/DD and BH services and supports. As this update goes to print, there was expectation there might be an HHS announcement today on the projected $19 billion in unallocated funding from the CARES Act – with the hopes some proceeds would be directed to I/DD and BH services and supports. (Contact: Josh Evans)
 
DHS-DDD COMMUNICATION RELEASED
Allison Stark Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities released an update on April 23^rd. Within that communication, DHS-DDD indicated they do not anticipate reopening CDS sites in the near future and will give providers ample notice upon determining that date. The communication also included a CDS update, CALL4CALM Program, Paycheck Protection Program Resources and Sharing Stories of Good.  You can read the full update HERE. (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
DHS – DDD MOBIUS REMITTANCE REPORT ERROR
DHS-DDD released an announcement this week identifying an issue in processing provider payments last week.  MOBIUS Remittance Reports dated 04/16/2020 are in error and should be ignored.  The corrected MOBIUS Remittance Reports are dated 04/19/2020.  The MOBIUS Remittance Reports dated 04/19/2020 will show remittance for billing submitted and processed the week beginning April 13, 2020 AND they will show the increase in Day Program rates beginning January 1, 2020 for people who are enrolled in CILA.  The increase in day program rates for people who are Adult HBS, Purchase of Services, and Day Program Only funded will be transmitted to the payment system over the next couple of weeks.  (Contact: Beth Owens)
 
TEMPORARY GUIDELINES TO ALLOW DESIGNATED ASSISTERS TO ASSIST CLIENTS TELEPHONNICALLY DURING COVID-19 EMERGENCY
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, HFS has issues a notice detailing temporary guidelines to allow designated Assisters to assist clients.  Please click here to read the entirety of that notice. (Contact Dan Frey)
 
PSR ELIGIBILITY FOR TELEHEALTH CONFIRMED
A question was asked on the Tuesday COVID-19 webinar whether PSR qualified as eligible for the group telehealth guidance distributed by HFS.  At the time it was not clear, but on Wednesday, HFS confirmed that PSR is indeed eligible to be delivered via telehealth. (Contact Dan Frey)
 
IHH PROGRAM OFFICIALLY DELAYED UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2021
HHS has released the following notice, officially delaying the implementation of the IHH program until January 1, 2021:
 
The purpose of this notice is to inform providers of a delay in the implementation of the Integrated Health Home (IHH) program, which is a fully integrated care coordination program for the physical health, behavioral health and social care needs of all eligible participants in the Illinois Medical Assistance Program.
 
As the current public health emergency prompted by COVID-19 is causing both State and federal governments to amend timelines and prioritize plans, the Department is delaying the IHH implementation date until January 1, 2021.
 
The Department and its partners will continue member education regarding the Integrated Health Home program.
 
Questions regarding this notice may be directed to HFS.IHH@illinois.gov.
(Contact Dan Frey)
 
HFS RELEASES GUIDANCE ON SASS AND MCR
HFS has released notice regarding SASS and MCR guidance. This notice provides updated COVID-19 guidance to Screening, Assessment, and Support Services (SASS)/Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) - Designated Service Area essential providers and will extend only until the termination date of the COVID-19 public health emergency. This guidance is intended to reinforce the State’s mission to provide the most effective services to individuals and families experiencing psychiatric crises while also protecting the safety of essential SASS/MCR staff during the public health emergency.  Click here to view the entire notice.
(Contact Dan Frey)
 
TRO ON WORKER’S COMPENSATION EMERGENCY RULEY
Yesterday a Sangamon County judge issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the Emergency Rule adopted by the Illinois Worker’s Compensation Commission that shifted the burden of proof on a positive COVID-10 case on to the employer/insurer.  We are unsure what steps may be taken next by the Administration and we are seeking further guidance from our Supporting Members to share soon. (Contact: Josh Evans)
 
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELEASES COVID-19 TELEHEALTH TOOLKIT TO ACCELERATE STATE USE OF TELEHEALTH IN MEDICAID AND CHIP
Today, the federal government released a new toolkit for states to help accelerate adoption of broader telehealth coverage policies in the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  This release builds on the agency’s swift actions to provide states with a wide range of tools and guidance to support their ability to care for their Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries during this public health emergency. (Contact Dan Frey)
 
FOOTHOLD TECHNOLOGY’S PROJECT EXPRESSION: REPRESENTING OUR CORE VALUES THROUGH ART
Foothold Technology invites individuals supported by provider organizations to participate in an art contest series that will commemorate their company’s core values. A winner will be selected for each value, and Foothold Technology will purchase the artwork from the winning artist for $200. The winning artwork will be displayed prominently in Foothold's office, and the winning individual will also be highlighted on Foothold's website and in its client newsletter, Footnotes.
 
Submissions for the second core value, Collaboration, are being accepted until May 1^st. To view full contest details, click here or download the submission form here. Please reach out with any questions and submissions to elliot@footholdtechnology.com. (Contact: Maggie Henley)

PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL PPE AVAILABILITY
IARF has been made aware of the following PPE availability from our partners at Professional Medical, Inc.. Please find a link to full details below.
 
Click here to view PPE available from Professional Medical Supply.
 
For more information or to order, contact Rocky Howard rhoward@promedsupply.com. (Contact: Maggie Henley)
 
ANCOR PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON FEDERAL CMS BLANKET WAIVERS FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
This past week, Federal CMS released an updated COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers  which includes some specific blanket waivers for ICF/IID program outlined below.

Staffing Flexibilities. CMS is waiving the requirements at 42 CFR §483.430(c)(4), which requires the facility to provide sufficient Direct Support Staff (DSS) so that Direct Care Staff (DCS) are not required to perform support services that interfere with direct client care.  

Suspension of Community Outings. CMS is waiving the requirements at 42 CFR §483.420(a)(11) which requires clients have the opportunity to participate in social, religious, and community group activities.

Suspend Mandatory Training Requirements. CMS is waiving, in-part, the requirements at 42 CFR §483.430(e)(1) related to routine staff training programs unrelated to the public health emergency. CMS is not waiving 42 CFR §483.430(e)(2)-(4) which requires focusing on the clients' developmental, behavioral and health needs and being able to demonstrate skills related to interventions for inappropriate behavior and implementing individual plans.

Modification of Adult Training Programs and Active Treatment. The requirements at 42 CFR §483.440(a)(1) require that each client must receive a continuous active treatment program, which includes consistent implementation of a program of specialized and generic training, treatment, health services and related services. CMS is waiving those components of beneficiaries' active treatment programs and training that would violate current state and local requirements for social distancing, staying at home, and traveling for essential services only. (Contact: Luis Andrade)

PAYMENT RELIEF EXPANSION COMING FOR STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS
Governor Pritzker and Secretary Hagan of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced that Illinois has secured relief options with twenty private student loan servicers to expand on the protections the federal government granted to federal student loan borrowers.

These new options stand to benefit over 138,000 Illinoisans with privately held student loans. Borrowers in need of assistance must immediately contact their student loan servicer to identify the options that are appropriate to their circumstances. Relief options include:

-- Providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance
-- Waiving late payment fees
-- Ensuring that no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting
-- Ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days
-- Working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income based repayment. (Contact: Luis Andrade)