Provider Information
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 is implementing Phase I of the Illinois Health Connect Referral System. Implementation will be completed in stages by geographic region, according to the following schedule:
| Northwest Region: |
October 1, 2009 |
| Collar Counties: |
December 1, 2009 |
| Cook County: |
February 1, 2010 |
| Central/Southern Regions: |
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 will be 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 by calling IHC. Specialists will not require a referral 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.
Watch Referral Video
IHC Informational Video
Watch a brief informational video about Illinois Health Connect and the resources Illinois Health Connect can provide to your practice.
Watch Informational Video
Important Notices
Illinois Health Connect is Illinois’ new 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.
Mandatory enrollment in Illinois Health Connect has now begun in the Cook and the Collar Counties. Mandatory enrollment will then proceed in the Northwestern Region and the Central and Southern Regions in the coming months.
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 provider enrollment and panel sizes 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.
Providers who do not enroll in Illinois Health Connect will no longer be able to provide primary care to their patients who are enrolled in Illinois Health Connect.
Here is a list of provider types that can be PCPs in the mandatory program.
Providers can also enroll online as an Illinois Health Connect PCP.
MEDI Access and Registration