A Win for Illinois Members - Mandatory Referral to Licensed Home Service Agencies from Intermediate Care Facilities

The Illinois Department of Public Health has updated regulatory rules on Intermediate Care for the Developmentally Disabled Facilities Code, published on February 16, 2024, in the Illinois Register, p. 2546. The rules now require intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled, whether operated for profit or not, to refer a resident only to licensed home service agencies.

Here is the adopted rule:
The facility may not refer a resident or the family of a resident to a home health agency, home services agency, or home nursing agency unless the agency is licensed under the Home Health, Home Services and Home Nursing Agency Licensing Act. A facility shall request a copy of an agency's license prior to making a referral to that agency. (Section 3.8 of the Home Health, Home Services, and Home Nursing Agency Licensing Act) p. 2610.
 
In 2017, the HCAOA Illinois Chapter successfully championed legislation to require hospitals to refer patients only to licensed home service agencies. That law, PA 100-0099 (SB 1676), signed into law Aug. 11, became effective Jan.1, 2018. The chapter continues to pioneer efforts to ensure home service referrals are made only to licensed agencies, which continues to benefit HCAOA members.