This January, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) released a final concept paper outlining its intention to establish Medicaid Health Homes. In a huge victory, the final paper explicitly included HIV as one the conditions that can be managed by a Health Home. In December 2014, AFC submitted comments urging Illinois to included HIV as one of the chronic conditions eligible for management in a Health Home.
As background, under the Affordable Care Act, Health Homes allow state Medicaid programs to receive increased federal funding to coordinate care for people with two or more chronic diseases, or one chronic disease and increased vulnerability. Health Homes seek to deliver care through a team approach that brings together primary care providers, specialists, social workers and other team members to address a patient’s holistic needs.
AFC lauds Illinois submission of a state plan amendment to the federal government to seek approval to establish Health Homes, we look forward to working with Governor Rauner’s administration on shaping and implementing this transformation measure aimed at ensuring people living with HIV and other chronic diseases are provided the utmost care.
