Members, 

October is nearing an end and we approach the final days of the month, we have some exciting events to share!

If you have not already done so, I encourage you to register to attend tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 26) live training event on "Understanding the New HFS Survey Tool and Compliance," at 1:00pm CST.

This zoom seminar is hosted by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services & the Affordable Assisted Living Coalition, and Continuing Education Credits are available through the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. There is NO COST to attend, however registration is required. To register and learn more! Learn more and register here.

On Thursday, Oct. 27, we invite you to join us by Zoom for our Annual Meeting of the Corporation. This year, we have a special guest with us from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). Director Theresa Eagleson will be available from 1:00pm - 2:00pm to give a brief presentation and answer your questions related to the Supportive Living Program.

To join the meeting, click here.

(Zoom Meeting ID: 814 1502 5636 Passcode: 186233)

Finally, do not forget to submit your entries for the Best of Our Abilities contest or Centenarian contest! Visit our website to learn more!

Legislative Update

AALC is working with the state of Illinois and the Illinois Congressional Delegation on a strategy to solve for the loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for supportive living residents and communities in 2023. The federal Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which is a Division of the United States Department of Agriculture, is terminating the SNAP program for SLP communities in Illinois at the end of the calendar year despite SLP participation in the Program for decades. The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has requested increased federal Medicaid funds to back-fill any provider losses associated with the loss of SNAP funds beginning January 1, 2023, until a permanent federal legislative remedy can be reached. 

The Illinois Federal Congressional Delegation believes the best path forward to re-institute the SNAP benefits for SLPs and residents after December 31st is through the federal Farm Bill, which is scheduled for negotiations/passage in the Fall of 2023. In the interim, the AALC is continuing to meet with the Federal Congressional Delegation, the Illinois General Assembly and the applicable state agencies, for the purpose of protecting SLP residents and providers from the benefit and revenue interruptions associated with the SNAP program elimination.

AALC is also working with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) on quality metrics parameters for additional payments to supportive living communities. The AALC was successfully able to obtain legislation last Spring that linked SLP Medicaid rates to any add-on payments (quality/CNA tenure) that skilled nursing facilities received under the new reimbursement model that became effective July 1, 2022. The AALC is seeking to have the additional payments effective as quickly as possible and is working with HFS to that end.

AALC will be discussing its 2023 Spring Session legislative priorities at the October 27^th Board Meeting and is seeking membership input as we continue to move the supportive living program forward in the state of Illinois. If you have any suggestions or feedback, send them to kzosel@aalcillinois.org

Policy Update

Governor Pritzker Updates Illinois' COVID-19 Mitigations

Governor Pritzker updated Illinois’ COVID-19 mitigations via Executive Order 2022-21. The latest order reissues many previous orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic through November 14, 2022. The new executive order removes the weekly testing requirements for unvaccinated health care and long-term care workers, removes the face covering requirement (although they are still recommended in facilities in areas of high community transmission), and removes the state-issued vaccine mandate for long-term care and health care employees. To read more, click here.

ABE System Security Failure

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the Department of Human Services (IDHS) notified the media Friday, October 21st of an incident within the State of Illinois Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) system’s Provider Portal whereby some provider portal applicants could inadvertently access the information in customer applications prior to August 22, 2022. To date, the departments are not aware of any attempt to misuse the information and are offering free credit monitoring services for one year. The ABE system is the eligibility system for State-funded medical benefits programs (Medicaid), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). 

HFS Announces the latest round of Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives

Earlier this month, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) announced that it had chosen six healthcare collaboratives for the State Fiscal Year 2023 cycle of the Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives program, which aims to close gaps in healthcare services and eliminate the barriers to access and inequities that persist in Illinois’ healthcare system. To learn more, click here.

Cost Reports:

Access 2022 Cost Reports and Instructions by clicking here.

Brag About Your Residents!

Enter the Centenarian & Best of Abilities Contests!

Visit our website to learn more!

Sponsored by

Supportive Living is Healthy Living Update

It's Pumpkin Time! Heritage Woods of Belvidere residents enjoyed an afternoon of decorating and carving their pumpkins. We love to see all the creative minds and hands at work! Healthy Living is Festive Living!

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.