Handbook for Providers of
Encounter Clinic Services
Chapter D-200
Policy and Procedures
For Encounter Clinic Services
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Issued June 2015
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-200 (i)
Chapter D-200
Encounter Clinic Services
Table of Contents
Foreword
Purpose
D-200 Basic Provisions
D-201 Provider Participation
201.1 General Participation Requirements
201.2 Special Behavioral Health Enrollment Requirements
201.3 Special Dental Enrollment Requirements
201.4 Care Coordination
201.5 Participation Approval
201.6 Participation Denial
201.7 Provider File Maintenance
D-202 Encounter Clinic Reimbursement
202.1 Charges
202.2 Claim Preparation and Submittal
202.3 Electronic Claims and Submittal
202.4 Payment
D-203 Covered Services
D-204 Non-Covered Services
D-205 Record Requirements
D-210 General Limitations and Considerations on Covered Services
210.1 Definition of Encounter
210.2 Telehealth
210.2.1 Originating Site (Patient Site)
210.2.2 Distant Site (Provider Site)
210.3 Group Psychotherapy Services
210.3.1 Session Requirements
210.4 Tobacco Cessation Counseling
210.4.1 Duration of Counseling
210.5 Allowable Fee-for-Service Billing
D-214 Cost Reports
214.1 Filing of Cost Report
214.2 Reasonable Costs – FQHC
214.3 Reimbursable Costs
214.4 Non-Reimbursable Costs
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-200 (ii)
D-215 Audit of Cost Reports
215.1 Desk Audit
215.2 Field Audit
D-216 Rate Setting
D-217 Rate Appeals
Appendices
D-1 Preparation and Mailing Instructions – Form HFS 2360 (pdf), Health
Insurance Claim Form
D-2 Preparation and Mailing Instructions – Form HFS 3797 (pdf), Medicare
Crossover Form
D-3 Telehealth Billing Examples
D-4 Explanation of Information on Provider Information Sheet
D-4a Facsimile of Provider Information Sheet
D-5 Internet Quick Reference Guide
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-200 (iii)
Foreword
Purpose
This handbook has been prepared for the information and guidance for providers
enrolled as an encounter clinic, except encounter clinics owned and operated by a
county with a population of over three million, to provide primary care services to
participants in the department’s Medical Programs. It also provides information on
the department’s requirements for provider participation and enrollment.
This handbook provides information regarding specific policies and procedures
unique to the encounter clinic program.
It is important that both the provider of service and the provider’s billing personnel
read all materials prior to initiating services to ensure a thorough understanding of
the department’s Medical Program’s policy and billing procedures. Revisions and
supplements to the handbook will be released from time to time as operating
experience and state or federal regulations require policy and procedure changes in
the department’s Medical Programs. Updates will be posted to the department’s
website on the Provider Releases and Bulletins page.
Providers will be held responsible for compliance with all policy and procedures
contained herein; as well as the policy and procedures contained in the Handbook
for Providers of Medical Services, Chapter 100 General Policies and Procedures.
Providers should register to receive e-mail notification when new provider
information has been posted on the website.
Inquiries regarding billing issues may be directed to the Bureau of Professional and
Ancillary Services at 1-877-782-5565.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-200 (1)
Chapter D-200
Encounter Clinic Services
D-200 Basic Provisions
For consideration of payment by the department, encounter clinic services must be
provided by a clinic enrolled for participation in the department’s Medical Programs.
The clinic must fall into one of the clinic categories described below.
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) – A health care provider that
receives a grant under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (Public Law
78-410) (42 USC 1395x(aa)(3)) or has been determined to meet the
requirements for receiving such a grant by the Health Resources and Service
Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Rural Health Clinic (RHC) – An RHC can be either be a freestanding health
care provider that has been designated by the Public Health Service, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, or by the Governor and approved by
the Public Health Service, in accordance with the Rural Health Clinics Act (Public
Law 95-210) (42 USC 1395x (aa)(2)) to be an RHC, or; a provider based health
care provider that is an integral part of a hospital that is participating in the
Medicare program and is licensed, governed and supervised with other
departments within the hospital.
Encounter Rate Clinic – A health care provider that was actively participating in
the department’s Medical Assistance Program as an Encounter Rate Clinic as of
July 1, 1998; or, a clinic operated by a county with a population of over three
million.
Encounter clinic services must be provided in full compliance with the general
provisions contained in the Chapter 100, Handbook for Providers of Medical
Services, General Policy and Procedures, the Chapter A-200, Handbook for
Practitioners Rendering Medical Services and the policy and procedures contained
in this handbook. Exclusions and limitations are identified in specific topics contained
herein.
The billing instructions contained within this handbook are specific to services
rendered to participants enrolled in traditional fee-for-service, Accountable Care
Entities (ACEs) and Care Coordination Entities (CCEs) and do not apply to patients
enrolled in Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and Managed Care Community
Networks (MCCNs). Providers submitting X12 electronic transactions must refer to
Chapter 300, Handbook for Electronic Processing. Chapter 300 identifies information
that is specific to conducting Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with the Illinois
Medical Assistance Program and other healthcare programs funded or administered
by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-201 (1)
D-201 Provider Participation
Each clinic site is required to enroll with the department in order to be considered for
reimbursement. If multiple sites are owned or operated by the same entity, each site
must be enrolled separately.
When enrolling, each clinic site must designate the category of encounter clinic
services they will provide. FQHCs and RHCs may enroll to provide medical
encounters, behavioral health encounters and dental encounters. ERCs may enroll
to provide medical encounters and dental encounters.
D-201.1 General Participation Requirements
Clinics are eligible to be considered for enrollment to participate in the department’s
Medical Programs.
The provider must complete and submit the following forms for each office site as
defined by Medicare:
Form HFS 2243 (pdf) (Provider Enrollment/Application);
Form HFS 1413 (pdf) (Agreement for Participation);
Form HFS 1513 (pdf) (Enrollment Disclosure Statement); and
W9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number).
In addition, the following site specific documentation must be provided with the
enrollment application:
For FQHCs, a copy of the Health Resources and Services Administration
(HRSA) Notice of Grant Award and a copy of the Medicare Letter of Certification.
For RHCs, a copy of the Medicare Letter of Certification.
Clinical Laboratory Improvements Act (CLIA) certification, if applicable.
The department’s enrollment forms must be completed (printed in ink or typewritten),
signed and dated in ink by the provider and returned to the above address. The
provider should retain a copy of the forms. The date on the application will be the
effective date of enrollment unless the provider requests a specific enrollment date
and it is approved by the department.
These forms may be obtained from the department’s website. Providers may also
Participation Unit at 1-877-782-5565 or mail a request to:
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Provider Participation Unit
Post Office Box 19114
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9114
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-201 (2)
D-201.2 Special Behavioral Health Enrollment Requirements
For FQHCs and RHCs enrolling to provide behavior health encounter services, a
copy of the practice licenses for the clinic’s Clinical Psychologists, Clinical Social
Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and/or Clinical Professional
Counselors must be submitted with the clinic’s HFS 2243, Provider
Enrollment/Application.
D-201.3 Special Dental Enrollment Requirements
For FQHCs, RHCs and ERCs enrolling to provide dental encounter services;
the following documentation must be submitted with the clinic’s HFS 2243
Provider Enrollment/Application: Copy of Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA) Form 5 – Part A Services Provided;
Copy of the CMS Notice of Grant Award;
Copy of Exhibit B Service sites; and
Names of dentists providing dental services.
New Site Enrollment
Copy of the HRSA scope of project application submitted to CMS;
Copy of the CMS Notice of Grant Award;
Copy of HRSA Form 5 – Part A Services Provided;
Copy of Exhibit B Service sites; and
Names of dentists providing dental services.
D-201.4 Care Coordination
In response to Public Act 96-1501 (the Medicaid Reform Law) and the new era in
care management, Illinois expanded its managed care programs to include Care
Coordination health plans. It is imperative that providers verify eligibility regularly to
determine a participant’s enrollment in one of the department’s Care Coordination
health plans and to ensure the participant can continue care with the plan. All of the
department’s electronic verification systems (EDI, MEDI and AVS) will identify the
health plan in which the participant is enrolled. Refer to the Handbook for Providers
of Medical Services, Chapter 100 – General Policies and Procedures for more
information on verifying eligibility.
Before providing services to any participant in a care coordination health plan or
care coordination program, the provider should be sure of the arrangements for
reimbursement. In no instance will the department reimburse a provider when the
service is one for which the care coordination plan is contractually responsible.
Descriptions of the department’s care coordination health plans and other care
coordination programs are provided in the Handbook for Providers of Medical
Services, Chapter 100 -General Policies and Procedures.
Physicians, clinics, and health centers that are enrolled to participate in the
department’s Medical Programs may enroll in the department’s statewide Primary
Care Case Management (PCCM) program, Illinois Health Connect, as a PCP.
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HFS D-201 (3)
To learn more about the Illinois Health Connect program, or to enroll as a PCP,
please visit the Illinois Health Connect website or call the Illinois Health Connect
Provider Helpdesk at 1-877-912-1999 (8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Friday).
D-201.5 Participation Approval
When participation is approved, the provider will receive a computer generated
notification, the Provider Information Sheet, listing all data on the department’s
computer files. The provider is to review this information for accuracy immediately
upon receipt. For an explanation of the entries on the form, see Appendix D-4.
If all information is correct, the provider is to retain the Provider Information Sheet for
subsequent use in completing claims (billing statements) to ensure that all identifying
information required is an exact match to that in the department files. If any of the
information is incorrect, refer to Topic D-201.4.
When there is a change in ownership greater than 50%; a change in the clinic’s
location, name, or a change in the Federal Employer's Identification Number, a new
application for participation and other necessary documents must be completed.
Claims submitted by the new ownership using the prior owner’s assigned provider
number may result in recoupment of payments and other sanctions.
D-201.6 Participation Denial
When participation is denied, the provider will receive written notification of the
reason for denial.
Within ten (10) calendar days after the date of this notice, the provider may request
a hearing. The request must be in writing and must contain a brief statement of the
basis upon which the department's action is being challenged. If such a request is
not received within ten (10) calendar days, or is received, but later withdrawn, the
department's decision shall be a final and binding administrative determination.
Department rules concerning the basis for denial of participation are set out in 89 Ill.
Adm. Code 140.14. Department rules concerning the administrative hearing process
are set out in 89 Ill. Adm. Code 104 Subpart C.
D-201.7 Provider File Maintenance
The information carried in the department’s files for participating providers must be
maintained on a current basis. The provider and the department share responsibility
for keeping the file updated.
Provider Responsibility
The information contained on the Provider Information Sheet is the same as in the
department’s files. Each time the provider receives a Provider Information Sheet, it is
to be reviewed carefully for accuracy. The Provider Information Sheet contains
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HFS D-201 (4)
information to be used by the provider in the preparation of claims; any inaccuracies
found are to be corrected and the department notified immediately.
Any time the provider effects a change that causes information on the Provider
Information Sheet to become invalid, the department is to be notified. When
possible, notification should be made in advance of a change.
Procedure: The provider is to line through the incorrect or changed data, enter the
correct data, sign and date the Provider Information Sheet with an original signature
on the line provided. Forward the corrected Provider Information Sheet to:
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Provider Participation Unit
Post Office Box 19114
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9114
Certain provider change information can be communicated to the department via the
on-line application available on the Department of Healthcare and Family Services
(HFS) General Provider Enrollment Requirements webpage. The on-line change
function is available to notify the department of updates or changes to enrollment
information for the following categories:
National Provider Identifier (NPI);
Provider name;
Provider demographic (address, phone, email);
Payee demographic (address, phone, email);
Add a payee;
Close a payee;
Close enrollment;
License; and
Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments (CLIA).
Failure of a provider to properly notify the department of corrections or changes may
cause an interruption in participation and payments.
If a provider does not submit a claim to the department for 12 months their provider
number will go into a non-participating status. No provider information sheet is
generated to alert the provider that they have gone into a non-participating status. If
a claim is submitted after the non-participating status is in effect, the claim will reject
with the error code P48, Non-Participating Provider/Returned Mail Contact
section. Prior to resubmitting the claim for processing, the provider must contact the
department’s Provider Participation Unit (PPU) to change the non-participating
status. PPU can be reached by calling 1-877-782-5565 or by e-mail at Provider
Participation Unit .
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-201 (5)
Department Responsibility
When there is a change in a provider's enrollment status or the provider submits a
change the department will generate an updated Provider Information Sheet
reflecting the change and the effective date of the change. The updated sheet will be
sent to the provider and to all payees listed if the payee address is different from the
provider address.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-202 (1)
D-202 Encounter Clinic Reimbursement
The billing instructions contained within this handbook apply to participants enrolled
in traditional fee-for-service, Accountable Care Entities (ACEs) and Care
Coordination Entities (CCEs) and do not apply to participants enrolled in Managed
Care Organizations (MCOs) and Managed Care Community Networks (MCCNs).
D-202.1 Charges
Providers may only bill the department after the service or item has been provided.
The clinic will be reimbursed at the all inclusive rate established by the department
for the type of encounter service rendered, except when billing allowable fee-for-
service charges as listed in Topic D-210.5.
D-202.2 Claim Preparation and Submittal
Refer to the Handbook for Providers of Medical Services, Chapter 100-General
Policies and Procedures, for general policy and procedures regarding claim
submittal. Refer to appendices for technical guidelines to assist in claim preparation
and submittal.
The department uses a claim imaging system for scanning paper claims. The
imaging system allows efficient processing of paper claims and also allows
attachments to be scanned. The department offers a claim scanability/imaging
evaluation. Turnaround on a claim scanability/imaging evaluation is approximately
7-10 working days and providers are notified of the evaluation results in writing.
Please send sample claims with a request for evaluation to the following address.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
201 South Grand Avenue East
Second Floor - Data Preparation Unit
Springfield, Illinois 62763-0001
Attention: Provider/Image System Liaison
D-202.3 Electronic Claims Submittal
Any services that do not require attachments or accompanying documentation may
be billed electronically. Further information concerning electronic claims submittal
can be found in Chapter 100 handbook and the Chapter 300 handbook.
Providers submitting 837P electronic transactions must refer to Chapter 300,
Handbook for Electronic Processing. Chapter 300 identifies information specific to
conducting Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) with the Illinois Medical Assistance
Program and other healthcare programs funded or administered by the Illinois
Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Providers billing electronically should take special note of the requirement that Form
HFS 194-M-C, Billing Certification Form, must be signed and retained by the
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HFS D-202 (2)
provider for a period of three (3) years from the date of the voucher. Failure to do so
may result in revocation of the provider’s right to bill electronically, recovery of
monies or other adverse actions. Form HFS 194-M-C can be found on the last page
of each Remittance Advice that reports the disposition of any electronic claims.
Refer to Chapter 100, for further details.
D-202.4 Payment
Payment made by the department for allowable encounter services will be made at
the all inclusive rate established by the department for each encounter. The all
inclusive encounter rate covers the face-to-face visit and all other ancillary services
provided on the date of service. Topic D-210.1 provides detailed information on what
constitutes an allowable encounter service. Payment for services rendered as
allowable fee-for-service will be paid at the fee-for-service rates. Refer to the
Practitioner fee schedule for more information.
The billing instructions in this handbook apply to patients enrolled in traditional
Medicaid fee-for-service, Accountable Care Entities (ACEs), and Care Coordination
Entities (CCEs), and do not apply to patients enrolled in a Managed Care
Organizations (MCOs) and Managed Care Community Networks (MCCNs). Further
information can be found at the HFS Care Coordination website.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-203 (1)
D-203 Covered Services
A covered service is a service for which payment can be made by the department.
Covered services are those reasonably necessary medical and remedial services,
which are recognized as standard medical care, required for immediate health and
well-being because of illness, disability, infirmity, or impairment. Refer to Chapter
100 handbook for a general list of covered services.
Those core services for which the clinic may enroll for and bill an encounter are as
follows:
Physician services, including covered services of nurse practitioners, nurse
midwives, and physician-supervised physician assistants.
Dentist services rendered by a dentist.
Behavioral health services rendered by a licensed clinical psychologist, licensed
clinical social worker, licensed clinical professional counselor, or licensed
marriage and family therapist.
Preventive Services
Required school examinations for children;
Periodic well-child services (visits, immunizations and screenings) under the
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) Program;
Preventive services for adult participants, age 21 and older;
Cancer screenings
A FQHC may provide pharmaceutical services and supplies to participants if
enrolled separately with the department as a participating pharmacy licensed to
provide pharmaceutical services to the general public.
Services and materials are covered only when provided in accordance with the
limitations and requirements described in the individual topics within this handbook.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-204 (1)
D-204 Non-Covered Services
Services for which medical necessity is not clearly established are not covered by
the department’s Medical Programs. Refer to Chapter 100 handbook, for a general
list of non-covered services.
The following medically necessary services and supplies included in the clinic’s cost
report may be furnished by or under the direction of a physician or dentist within the
scope of licensed practice. These services are considered to be a component of a
billable encounter service and are not eligible to be billed fee-for-service or as an
encounter themselves:
Medical case management;
Laboratory services;
Occupational therapy;
Patient transportation;
Pharmacy services;
Physical therapy;
Podiatric services;
Speech and hearing services;
Imaging services;
Health education;
Nutrition services;
Optometric services;
Chiropractic services.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-205 (1)
D-205 Record Requirements
The department regards the maintenance of adequate records essential for the
delivery of quality medical care. In addition, providers should be aware that medical
records are key documents for post-payment audits. Refer to Chapter 100
handbook, for record requirements applicable to all providers.
Providers must maintain an office record for each patient. In group practices,
partnerships, and other shared practices, one record is to be kept with chronological
entries by the health care provider rendering services.
The record maintained at the encounter clinic is to include the essential details of the
patient’s condition and of each service provided. Any services provided to a patient
outside the clinic setting must be documented in the medical record maintained at
the clinic. All entries must include the date and must be legible and in English.
Records which are unsuitable because of illegibility or language may result in
sanctions if an audit is conducted.
For patients who are in a nursing facility, the primary medical record indicating the
patient’s condition and treatment and services ordered and provided during the
period of institutionalization may be maintained as a part of the facility chart;
however, an abstract of the facility record, including diagnosis, treatment program,
dates and times services were provided, is to be maintained by the clinic as an office
record to show continuity of care.
In the absence of proper and complete medical records, no payment will be made
and payments previously made will be recouped. Lack of records or falsification of
records may also be cause for a referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency
for further action.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-210 (1)
D-210 General Limitations and Considerations on Covered Services
The same policy and procedures that apply to practitioners also apply to the
encounter clinics. Refer to Chapter A-200, Handbook for Practitioners Rendering
Medical Services for detailed department policy regarding medical care.
D-210.1 Definition of Encounter
Encounter services must be rendered in a clinic, patient’s home or long term care
facility if the facility is the patient’s permanent place of residence, or school if the
clinic has a school-based or school-linked specialty. Only one medical encounter
per patient per day can be billed to the department. If the clinic is enrolled for dental
or behavioral health services, only one dental and one behavioral health encounter
per patient per day is eligible for reimbursement.
A billable encounter is defined as one of the following:
Medical face-to-face visit with a physician, physician assistant, midwife, or nurse
practitioner.
Behavioral health face-to-face visit with a licensed clinical psychologist,
licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical professional counselor, or
licensed marriage and family therapist, as applicable.
• Dental face-to-face visit with a dentist. Dental encounter claims must be
submitted to the department’s dental contractor, DentaQuest. For billing
information, refer to the Dental Office Reference Manual (pdf).
Note: When a service is rendered and does not meet the definition of a medical
encounter visit, a wellness service should be billed to the department for reporting
purposes. In this situation, an encounter procedure code should not be billed and
will not be reimbursed but the services will be documented in the child’s state health
profile. If the claim rejects, the health information will not be documented and the
claim should be rebilled. See appendices for billing information.
D-210.2 Telehealth
Telehealth is the use of a telecommunication system to provide medical services
between places of lesser and greater medical capability and/or expertise, for the
purpose of evaluation and treatment. Medical data exchanged can take the form of
multiple formats: text, graphics, still images, audio and video. The information or
data exchanged can occur in real time (synchronous) through interactive video or
multimedia collaborative environments or in near real time (asynchronous) through
“store and forward” applications. The telecommunication system must, at a
minimum, have the capability of allowing the consulting practitioner to examine the
patient sufficiently to allow proper diagnosis of the involved body system. The
system must also be capable of transmitting clearly audible heart tones and lung
sounds, as well as clear video images of the patient and any diagnostic tools, such
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-210 (2)
as radiographs. Telephones, facsimile machines, and electronic mail systems are
not acceptable telecommunication systems.
Telehealth services include telemedicine, as well as telepsychiatry. Group
psychotherapy is not a covered telepsychiatry service.
Under the department’s telehealth policy, providers will be paid as either an
Originating Site or Distant Site. Refer to Appendix D-3 for billing examples.
D-210.2.1 Originating Site (Patient Site)
The Originating Site is the site where the patient is located. An encounter clinic
serving as the Originating Site shall be reimbursed their medical encounter. The
Originating Site encounter clinic must ensure and document that the Distant Site
provider meets the department’s requirements for telehealth and telepsychiatry
services since the clinic is responsible for reimbursement to the Distant Site
provider.
For telemedicine services, a physician or other licensed health care professional
must be present at all times with the patient at the Originating Site.
For telepsychiatry services, a physician, licensed health care professional or other
licensed clinician, mental health professional (MHP), or qualified mental health
professional (QMHP), as defined in 59 IL Admin Code 132.25, must be present at all
times with the patient at the Originating Site.
D-210.2.2 Distant Site (Provider Site)
The Distant Site is the site where the provider rendering the telehealth service is
located. The Distant Site shall be reimbursed as follows:
If the Originating Site is an encounter clinic, the Distant Site may not seek
reimbursement from the department for their services. The Originating Site
encounter clinic is responsible for reimbursing the Distant Site.
If the Originating Site is not an encounter clinic, the Distant Site encounter clinic
can seek reimbursement from the department.
For telemedicine services, the provider rendering the service at the Distant Site can
be a physician, podiatrist, advanced practice nurse (APN), or a Physician Assistant
(PA) who is licensed by the State of Illinois or by the state where the participant is
located.
For telepsychiatry services, the provider rendering the service at the Distant Site
must be a physician licensed by the State of Illinois, or by the state where the patient
is located, who has completed an approved general psychiatry residency program or
a child and adolescent psychiatry residency program. Telepsychiatry is not a
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HFS D-210 (3)
covered service when rendered by an APN or PA. Group psychotherapy is not a
covered telepsychiatry service.
D-210.3 Group Psychotherapy Services
Group psychotherapy services must be directly performed by one of the following
practitioners:
physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches who has completed an
approved general psychiatry residency program or is providing the service as a
resident or attending physician at an approved or accredited residency program;
or
Advanced Practice Nurse holding a current certification in Psychiatric and Mental
Health Nursing; or
Licensed Clinical Psychologist; or
Licensed Clinical Social Worker; or
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor; or
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
The group psychotherapy requirements also apply to services rendered to
participants with Medicare as their primary insurance.
Group psychotherapy is not covered for recipients who are residents in a facility
licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act (210 ILCS 45) or the Specialized Mental
Health Rehabilitation Act (210 ILCS 48).
D-210.3.1 Session Requirements
To be eligible for reimbursement the group psychotherapy session must meet all of
the following requirements:
Patient’s medical record must indicate the person participating in the group
session has been diagnosed with a mental illness. Entire group psychotherapy
service is directly performed by the one of the practitioners listed in Topic D-
210.3;
Group size does not exceed 12 patients, regardless of payment source;
Minimum duration of a group session is forty-five (45) minutes;
Group session is documented in the patient’s medical record by the rendering
practitioner, including the session’s primary focus, level of patient participation
and the begin and end times of each session;
Group treatment model, methods, and subject content have been selected on
evidence-based criteria for the target population of the group and follows
recognized practice guidelines for psychiatric services; and
Group session is provided in accordance with a clear written description of goals,
methods, and referral criteria.
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HFS D-210 (4)
D-210.4 Tobacco Cessation Counseling
Effective with dates of service on and after January 1, 2014, tobacco cessation
counseling services rendered to children through age 20, pregnant, and up to 60-day
post-partum, women age 21 and over, are eligible for reimbursement from the
department.
D-210.4.1 Duration of Tobacco Cessation Counseling
For pregnant women and women who are up to 60-day post-partum and age 21 and
over have a maximum of three quit attempts per year, with up to four individual face-
to-face counseling sessions per quit attempt. The 12 maximum counseling sessions
include any combination of the billable procedure codes per year. Children through
age 20 are not restricted to the maximum twelve counseling sessions.
These counseling sessions must meet the criteria of a face-to-face medical
encounter. The patient’s medical record must be properly documented with provider
signature, and include the total time spent and what was discussed during the
counseling session, including cessation techniques, resources offered and follow-up
instructions.
D-210.5 Allowable Fee-for-Service Billing
When services are rendered by clinic-salaried practitioners outside the clinic or
home setting, the clinic cannot bill an encounter and must bill fee-for-service. The
encounter procedure code is not billable and cannot be reimbursed. The service will
be reimbursed based on the Practitioner rate or the provider charges whichever is
less. Reimbursement information can be found on the fee schedule.
When clinics purchase long-acting contraceptive devices (LARCs) and transcervical
sterilization devices, clinics can bill for the device fee-for-service. Charges must be
submitted separately from the encounter.
To the extent that the LARCs and Transcervical Sterilization Devices were
purchased under the 340B Drug Pricing Program, the device must be billed at
the FQHC or RHC’s actual acquisition cost with a UD modifier;
Reimbursement shall be made at the FQHC or RHC’s actual acquisition cost or
the rate on the department’s practitioner fee schedule, whichever is less; and
This reimbursement shall be separate from any encounter payment the FQHC or
RHC may receive for the insertion procedure.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-214 (1)
D-214 Cost Reports
Once an FQHC/RHC has been accepted as an enrolled provider, yearly filings of the
cost report and supporting documents are mandatory. If the required cost report and
supplemental documents are not submitted within the required time limit, the
department will suspend payments to the FQHC/RHC. This action will remain in
effect until proper submission of all the required documents. Each cost report is
subject to audit by state auditors to determine proper costs. If the cost data from the
cost reports is not traceable to the supplemental documents, an onsite audit will be
made to determine if the clinic is eligible to continue in the FQHC/RHC program.
FQHC/RHC Cost Reports must be completed by each FQHC/RHC operating a clinic
in the State of Illinois and seeking payment under the provisions for FQHC/RHCs. If
an FQHC/RHC within Illinois has several clinic sites, it may choose to either file one
(1) cost report covering all clinic sites or file individual costs reports for each clinic
site operated by the FQHC/RHC. FQHC/RHCs in contiguous states must file an
Illinois cost report and audited financial statement for clinics they operate which
serve Illinois patients.
The FQHC/RHC must maintain financial and clinical records which are accurate and
in sufficient detail to substantiate the cost data reported for a period of no less than
three (3) years. Expenses reported as reasonable costs must be adequately
documented in the financial records of the FQHC/RHC or they will be disallowed.
D-214.1 Filing of Cost Report
Federally Qualified Health Center
The FQHC must file with the department a completed cost report and audited
financial statements annually within one hundred eighty (180) days after the close of
the Center’s fiscal year. An FQHC cost report may be filed more often or less often
than an annual period only when necessitated by the facility terminating its
agreement with the department, by a change in ownership, or by a change in fiscal
period.
Improperly completed or incomplete filings will be returned to the facility for proper
completion and must be resubmitted to the department within thirty (30) days.
Each required FQHC Cost Report must be signed by the authorized individual who
normally signs the FQHC’s federal income tax return or similar reports. The person
preparing the FQHC Cost Report must also sign the report and list his/her telephone
number.
FQHC Cost Reports must be prepared in conformance with generally accepted
accounting principles and the provisions of the Federally Qualified Health Center
Accounting Requirements. Cost reports must be filed using the accrual method of
accounting.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-214 (2)
Provider-Based Rural Health Center and Freestanding Rural Health Center
All RHCs must submit an annual cost report for their fiscal year within one hundred
eighty (180) days after the close of the Center’s fiscal year.
Free-Standing Rural Health Centers
The cost reporting responsibility can be met by submittal of a copy of the cost report
form (CMS 222-92) that was filed for the Medicare program. Additionally, the RHC
must file two (2) Medicaid attachments to provide additional details regarding some
categories.
Provider-Based Rural Health Centers
The cost reporting responsibility can be met by submittal of a copy of the cost report
form (Medicare worksheet M series) that was filed for the Medicare program.
Additionally, the RHC must file two (2) Medicaid attachments to provide additional
details regarding some cost categories.
D-214.2 Reasonable Costs – FQHC
The department will determine if costs are reasonable and allowable by applying
Medicare cost reimbursement principles, as defined by federal regulation at 42 CFR,
Section 413, the Social Security Act, Section 1861(V), or as modified by the
department.
Reasonable costs of any service are determined in accordance with regulations
establishing the method or methods to be used, and the items to be included.
Reasonable costs takes into account both direct and indirect costs of providers of
services, including normal standby costs.
Costs may vary from one institution to another because of scope of services, level of
care, geographic location and utilization. It is the intent of the program that clinics will
be reimbursed the current actual costs of providing high quality care, regardless of
how widely they may vary from clinic to clinic, except where a particular institution’s
costs are found to be substantially out of line with other institutions in the same area
which are similar in size, scope of services, utilization and other relevant factors.
“Utilization” for this purpose refers not to the clinic’s occupancy rate but rather to the
manner in which the institution is used as determined by the characteristics of the
patients treated (i.e., its patient mix, age of patients, type of illness, etc.)
D-214.3 Reimbursable Costs
Costs related to patient care include all necessary and proper costs which are
appropriate and helpful in developing and maintaining the operation of patient care
facilities and activities. Necessary and proper costs related to patient care are
usually costs which are common and accepted occurrences in the field of the clinic’s
activity. This includes personnel costs, administrative costs and others. Allowance of
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-214 (3)
costs is subject to the regulations prescribing the treatment of specific items under
the Medicare program.
D-214.4 Non-Reimbursable Costs
Clinic services and cost not reimbursable by the department.
Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program and Nutritional Services
Any costs related to the WIC Program or professional services provided by a clinic
nutritionist are not reimbursable by the department. These costs must be reported
on the non-reimbursable section of the cost report.
Costs Not Related to Patient Care
Costs not related to patient care are costs which are not appropriate or necessary
and proper in developing and maintaining the operation of the patient care facilities
and activities. Such costs are not allowable in computing reimbursable costs. They
include, for example, costs of meals to visitors; costs of drugs sold to other than
patients; cost of operation of a gift shop; non-covered services that are provided;
and similar items.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-215 (1)
D-215 Audit of Cost Reports
All cost reports submitted require a desk audit. If further information or
documentation is required, a field audit may be required.
D-215.1 Desk Audit
The desk audit includes procedures that will:
Verify the completeness and mathematical accuracy of all schedules in the
report,
Compare reported program statistics with the department’s payment data,
Identify the need for supporting documentation and arrange to receive such
documentation,
Compare reported data with industry norms as an aid to the audit scope
determination, and
Identify the need for a field audit examination and possible rate adjustment.
D-215.2 Field Audit
Field audits are performed, if necessary, in accordance with the Federal Department
of Health and Human Services requirements for federal participation and include
appropriate auditing procedures and techniques as are deemed necessary by the
department. The scope of the field audit will be sufficiently comprehensive to verify
that in all material respects reported data is documented by supporting records and
that the costs are allowable pursuant to Medicare cost reimbursement principles. If
direct expenses and allocated expenses cannot be documented, they will not be
allowed.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-216 (1)
D-216 Rate Setting
Rates will be based on a prospective payment system. For any Center that begins
operation on or after January 1, 2001, the payment rate per encounter shall be the
median of the payment rates per encounter of neighboring FQHCs or RHCs with
similar caseloads, as determined by the department. If the department determines
that there are no such comparable Centers, then the rate per encounter shall be the
median of the payment rates per encounter Statewide for all FQHCs or RHCs, as
the case may be.
Handbook for Encounter Clinic Services Chapter D-200 – Policy and Procedures
HFS D-217 (1)
D-217 Rate Appeals
FQHCs have the right to appeal audit adjustments or rate determinations.
Appeal Process
All appeals must be submitted in writing to the department. Appeals submitted
within sixty (60) calendar days of the rate notification, if upheld, shall be made
effective as of the beginning of the rate year.
To be accepted for review, the written appeal must include:
- The current approved reimbursement rate, allowable costs and the
additional reimbursable costs sought through appeal.
- A clear, concise statement of the basis for the appeal.
- A detailed statement of financial, statistical and related information in
support of the appeal, indicating the relationship between the additional
reimbursable costs as submitted and the circumstances creating the need
for increased reimbursement.
- A statement by the provider’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial
Officer that the application of the rate appeal and information contained in
he vendor’s reports, schedules, budgets, books and records submitted are
true and accurate.
Rate appeals may be considered for the following reasons:
- Mechanical or clerical errors committed by the provider in reporting
historical expenses used in the calculation of allowable cost.
- Mechanical or clerical errors committed by the department in auditing
historical expenses as reported or in calculating reimbursement rates.
The department shall rule on all appeals within one hundred twenty (120) calendar
days of receipt of the appeal except that, if additional information is required from the
facility, the period shall be extended until such time as the information is provided.
Appeals must be submitted to the following address:
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Office of Health Finance
2200 Churchill Road
Springfield, Illinois 62702
