Provider Information
Primary Care Extension Program Summit: June 17, 2011
The primary care extension program (PCEP) is a model of care that was developed to take advantage of community networks as a means of improving quality of medical care and community health through two mechanisms, namely, local technical support of practices and linkage with community resources. PCEP is a framework of care intended to support a variety of models of practice. Optimal effectiveness is likely to come when PCEP is aligned with primary care practices based on patient-centered medical home model (PCMH). The PCEP model provides assistance for the transformation of primary care to the medical home model. While the medical home model represents an improvement in health care delivery and outcomes, unaddressed social determinants of health often impact a patient’s ability to follow through on his or her care plan. Public health programming may be able to impact some of these barriers with the use of lay health workers who straddle the gap between the patient in the community and the medical practice. The PCEP model incorporates Health Extension Agents (HEAs) to perform this outreach function. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) calls for the development of a national PCEP framework, funding has not been allocated.
On June 17, 2011, Illinois Health Connect hosted a state-wide Summit to explore the PCEP concept and opportunities for creating a PCEP network in Illinois.
Please review the links below for information about the Summit. For additional questions, contact Margaret Kirkegaard, MD, MPH, Illinois Health Connect Medical Director at [email protected]
Preconference Readings
Summit Agenda
Speaker Presentations
Environmental Surveys
- Aggressive Lipid Management and Cardiovascular Risk Reduction for Primary and Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention
- Office of the Future/PEDS CARE
- Illinois Area Health Education Centers Network Program
- Bright Smiles from Birth
- (CHIPRA) Quality Demonstration Project
- Enhancing Developmentally Oriented Primary Care
- Building Community Based Medical Homes for Children Program
- Promoting Health
- Immunization Initiatives
PCEP Photos
IHC Referral Video
To continue the ongoing efforts to "connect" Illinois Health Connect (IHC) patients with their medical home and support continuity of care,
IHC implemented Phase I of the Illinois Health Connect Referral System. Implementation was completed in stages by geographic region. Phase
I was effective statewide on April 1, 2010.
Phase I requires IHC patients to see their own IHC PCP, or a provider or clinic affiliated with their PCP. PCPs seeing IHC patients who are NOT
enrolled on their panel or on an affiliated PCP's panel on the date of service, must obtain a referral from the patient's PCP in order to be reimbursed
by HFS for services provided. PCPs are able to submit referrals for their IHC patients to see other IHC PCPs through the IHC Provider Portal via the
secure HFS MEDI system and directly with IHC via fax or phone. Specialists will not require a referral to ensure payment in Phase I. IHC PCPs will be
able to post-date a referral up to 60 days from the date of service.
Watch a seven minute video about the IHC Phase I Referral policies and procedures for entering and verifying referrals.
IHC Informational Video
Watch a brief informational video about Illinois Health Connect and the resources Illinois Health Connect can provide to your practice.
IHC Overview and Updates
Click on the PowerPoint presentation below to learn more about the Illinois Health
Connect program and any recent changes that have been implemented. Also, check back soon for a complementary audio presentation!
View PowerPoint
Important Notices
Important Forms
Illinois Health Connect is Illinois’ Primary Care Case Management (PCCM) program. In Illinois Health Connect, most people with an HFS or All Kids medical card will have a medical home through a Primary Care Provider (PCP).
Through the services of Automated Health Systems (AHS), eligible participants (predominantly parents and children, All Kids members and adults with disabilities) will choose a PCP who will manage their care, provide immunizations and other primary and preventive health care services and help avoid unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations. PCPs will make referrals for additional care when needed.
Here is some General Program Information for Providers regarding Illinois Health Connect.
You can also download the Illinois Health Connect Primary Care Provider Handbook.
Here is some information concerning client enrollment by county.
How do I enroll as an Illinois Health Connect PCP?
It's easy. Physicians, Clinics, and Health Centers who wish to enroll in Illinois Health Connect as a Primary Care Provider can simply call the Illinois Health Connect Provider Services Helpdesk at 1-877-912-1999 (TTY: 1-866-565-8577). The call is free. The hours of operation for the Provider Services Helpdesk are Monday – Friday 8:00a.m. to 7:00p.m. We can send an application to you and/or have one of our Provider Service Representatives schedule a convenient time to meet with you, answer all of your questions and help you enroll.
Here is a document that has answers to frequently answered questions for providers.
Providers can also enroll online as an Illinois Health Connect PCP.
Provider Access/MEDI