Embracing Growth & Inspiring More in 2024!

Policy Update

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HFS Announces Delay in January LTC Medicaid Rate Posting

The posting and programming of the Medicaid rates for Nursing Facilities, County Nursing Facilities, Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities, and Supportive Living Program providers effective January 1, 2024, has been delayed. The Department expects to have the rates posted and programmed by mid-January. LTC providers will be notified when the rates have been programmed and the rate lists posted.

SLP Dementia Care Setting Approvals Announced

HFS last month announced its approval of 11 applications to expand Illinois Supportive Living Program Dementia Care Settings. To read the press release and learn more about the approvals, click here. 

Illinois Long Term Care Facilities (LTCFs) are Eligible for a FREE One-Time Bulk Shipment of Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Tests from the State of Illinois

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has COVID-19 rapid antigen tests available for deployment. For a limited time, LTCFs in Illinois will be eligible to request and receive a one-time bulk shipment of iHealth COVID-19 rapid antigen tests. This shipment is intended to supplement the existing testing program on-site at your facility. All tests are completely FREE of charge and are provided at NO cost to your facility! To learn, click here.

Community Spouse Maintenance Needs Allowance (CSMNA) and Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) Increasing

Effective January 01, 2024, pursuant to Public Act 102-1037, the Community Spouse Maintenance Needs Allowance (CSMNA) and Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) will increase annually.

The CSRA standard will change from $120,780.00 to $129,084.00. This is the maximum amount of resources a resident may transfer to a community spouse or to another for the sole benefit of a community spouse. The actual amount a resident may transfer is determined by deducting non‑exempt resources of the community spouse from the standard of $129,084.00.



The CSMNA standard will change from $3,715.50 to $3,853.50. This is the maximum amount of monthly income a resident may give to a community spouse. The actual amount a resident may give is determined by deducting any gross income of the community spouse from the standard of $3,853.50.

To learn more, click here.

AALC PAC

Thank you to all who contributed to the AALC PAC last year.

Because of your support we were able to raise $225,000

to protect Supportive Living in Illinois!

Legislative Update

The AALC Lobbying Team is finalizing its 2024 Spring Legislative Agenda. The AALC currently has two legislative priorities, which will be introduced as new bills, outlined below: 

1) Increase the personal needs allowance (PNA) to $150 per resident, which has not risen since the beginning of the program in the late 1990s. The legislation would simultaneously increase the SLP Link to offset the cost to providers of the PNA increase.

2) Codify into state law the current $6.15 per-diem add-on payment associated with the recent loss of the SLP SNAP benefit program. The current $6.15 per-diem payment expires in March of 2025 and the AALC legislation would ensure the payment remains a part of the SLP daily rate of reimbursement.

The AALC is also exploring potential legislation and/or policy initiatives regarding SLP Memory Care and will provide further updates in subsequent communications.

To read more about our legislative priorities, click here.

Key Deadlines: 

Jan. 19--Bill Drafting Requests 

Feb. 9---Introduction of Bills in First Chamber 

Feb. 21 -Governor’s Combined Budget and State of the State Address 

Mar. 15--Senate Bills out of Senate Committee 

Apr. 5---House Bills out of House Committee 

Apr. 12--Senate Bills 3rd Reading 

Apr. 19--House Bills 3rd Reading 

May 3---Bills out of Committee in Second Chamber 

May 17--Bills out of Second Chamber 3rd Reading 

May 24--Adjournment 

FREE Webinar: Everyone has the right to vote

January 9th, 2024 @ 3:00pm CST

The Illinois Long Term Ombudsman Program has invited Laura Williams from the National Training Coordinator for the Center for Vulnerable Voters, to talk about your rights as a voter. During this presentation, tips will be provided on advocating for yourself and vulnerable voters, residential communities’ responsibilities, most recent and relevant Illinois election statutes, and important deadlines.

NO NEED TO REGISTER! 

Just click here on the day of the event to join!

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ATTEND FREE Cybersecurity Trainings

January 23-24, 2024

IDPH Office of Preparedness and Response and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service are offering two course on cybersecurity designed to prepare for and mitigate against potential cyber attacks in the New Year.

(You must register for each class individually)

Click on the link below, create an account, and register there.

ESSENTIALS OF COMMUNITY CYBERSECURITY

AWR136 - Springfield, IL - 1/23/2024

COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS FOR CYBER INCIDENTS

MGT384 - Springfield, IL - 1/23-24/2024

Click here for more information about each course.

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2024 AALC Annual Meeting - Save the Date!

Tuesday, Oct 29 - Wednesday, Oct. 30

Springfield, IL

AALC will hold its 2024 Annual Meeting in Springfield on October 29-30. We hope to see you there! Details to Follow!

MEMBERS! If you know of a vendor who might be interested in joining AALC, share their information with us at info@aalcillinois.org and we will reach out to them. Are you a vendor member and interested in bringing content to our Supportive Living communities? Let us know and we will feature you in an upcoming newsletter.