Saturday, April 20, 2024
4/20/2024
The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) intends through, ?Illinois SUPPORT Act: Section 1003 Demonstration Project to Increase Substance Use Provider Capacity (Illinois SUPPORT),? to conduct a needs assessment and implement activities to develop the state?s infrastructure to expand provider capacity to deliver substance use disorder treatment and recovery services for Medicaid members in Illinois. The HFS, the state?s Medicaid Authority, is responsible for providing healthcare coverage for adults and children who qualify for Medicaid in the State of Illinois. The goal of the Illinois SUPPORT project will be to increase access to community-based services, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), for Medicaid members as part of a comprehensive, public health approach to addressing the opioid crisis.Illinois spends more than $18 billion on the approximately 3.2 million Medicaid members in the State. It is estimated that Medicaid members with substance use and mental health make up nearly 25 % of the Illinois Medicaid population, but account for 56% of the total Medicaid spend. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), there were 2,063 drug-related overdose deaths in the state of Illinois during 2018. The overwhelming majority of these were heroin-related fatalities either alone or in combination with a synthetic opioid, primarily fentanyl. The goals of the grant are to 1) Conduct data-driven needs assessments for opioid-related issues for Medicaid beneficiaries; 2) Increase training for providers of MAT; 3) Expand technical assistance for prescribers through in-person and web-based platforms; 4) Improve the accuracy of the MAT Provider Database; 5) Enhance the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances; 6) Implement and expand the Hub and Spoke Model of Care; and 7) Implement and expand co-located hospital warm hand-off services. HFS is requesting $4,948,277 of funding to accomplish these go als. It is our expectation that funding through the Substance Use Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities (SUPPORT) Act: Section 1003, Demonstration Project to Increase Substance Use Provider Capacity will support a comprehensive assessment of the behavioral health needs, including the substance use treatment and recovery support needs of Medicaid members in Illinois. The needs assessment will inform the development of strategies to build the state?s infrastructure for increasing capacity and reduce the gaps in Medicaid-covered SUD treatment and recovery services. The training of providers will increase provider capacity to service vulnerable areas and create a support network. The increase of technical assistance to all health care workers and Medicaid beneficiaries will increase access and decrease financial barriers to obtain care. We fully anticipate that upon completion of the 18-month Planning Phase that this effort will result in increased access to MAT and other critical recovery supports, as well as improved integration of behavioral health and physical health services for Medicaid beneficiaries in Illinois.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
