There are several ways medical providers may receive payment for care provided to persons who have come to Illinois as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The most current information to date is described below. However, as this situation continues to evolve, we will continue to post the most recent information on our Web site. Providers should continue to check the Web site frequently or join the HFS Listserve for e-mail notifications.

1. THE FEDERAL INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM (IHP)

This program provides monetary assistance to individuals/families for their expenses related to a Presidentially declared disaster. Money is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical and dental assistance in addition to a wide variety of assistance for other expenses. For a full description of categories for which relief may be granted see Federal Emergency Management Agency or call the FEMA hotline.

FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
For Hearing or Speech Impaired TTY: 1-800-462-7585

Medical Assistance: Money is available to address the cost of medical treatment or the purchase of medical equipment required because of physical injuries received as a result of the disaster.

Dental Assistance: Money is available to address the cost of dental treatments due to dental injuries received during the disaster.

Process to apply for assistance through the IHP:
(To be used by people in Presidentially-declared disaster areas or those who have evacuated from Presidentially-declared disaster areas.)

Apply over the phone to FEMA:
An individual wishing to seek assistance should:
Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (hearing/speech impaired ONLY—call 1-800-462-7585). In addition to having a pen and paper, please have the following information ready to give to the person who takes your call:

• Your Social Security Number.
• A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster.
• Insurance Information.
• A telephone number where you can be contacted.

When you apply over the phone, the information you provide is put into the computer and an application is generated. At this point you will be provided a FEMA application number. If you have questions AFTER you have applied for assistance or if the information you provided has changed, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (hearing/speech impaired ONLY—call 1-800-462-7585). When you call, have your application number ready. This number will be given to you when you apply and will be on all mail sent to you from IHP.

Apply Using the Internet:
An individual seeking assistance may also apply online.

Notice to Providers:
HFS has obtained this information from sources at FEMA and offers it here to assist Illinois providers in obtaining payment for caring for hurricane disaster victims. Although we have made our best effort to present accurate information, HFS does not represent FEMA and is not in a position to interpret FEMA policy. Please contact FEMA directly for further information or clarification.

Under this program, medical providers will bill the individual. The individual submits the bill to FEMA and can receive up to a total maximum of $26,200 in a federal grant to pay for medical expenses or many other expenses. FEMA will send a check to the individual for allowed expenses including medical expenses. It will be the responsibility of the individual to then reimburse the medical provider with available funds.

If an individual has both private coverage and Medicaid coverage, follow normal Medicaid billing practice to bill the private insurer first, then Medicaid as secondary payer. FEMA is the payer of last resort but FEMA will not require persons seeking its assistance to enroll in Medicaid. Applicants for medical assistance or dental assistance from FEMA will be required to sign a statement indicating that they do not have insurance. FEMA will allow reimbursement for a medical bill where Medicaid has been used as the primary payer and the billed charges are greater than the Medicaid rate. The difference between the Medicaid rate and the billed charges may be reimbursed through this program.

2. MEDICAL PROGRAMS OPERATED BY ALABAMA, LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI

If individuals were enrolled for Medicaid or other publicly funded health benefits in their home states, those states have indicated they will pay for care rendered by medical providers located in states to which their residents have come for aid. These states have also relaxed rules about prior authorization. Generally, providers must enroll in the home state’s medical program. For more information about those programs or to confirm eligibility see reimbursement from other states.

This site gives links and phone numbers regarding the expedited provider enrollment processes for the affected states, as well as information on confirming Medicaid eligibility in those states.

3. INDIVIDUALS WHO MEET ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR HFS MEDICAL BENEFITS

Persons who come to Illinois from designated disaster areas may be temporarily enrolled for medical benefits in Illinois if they meet Illinois’ eligibility criteria and regardless of whether they are enrolled in their home state. Generally, they must be children under the age of 19 or their parents or other caretaker relatives, seniors or persons who are blind or who have a disability. Most of the normal application processing rules apply. However, disaster evacuees will be considered residents of Illinois regardless of whether they plan to remain here and documentation requirements have been relaxed with respect to these applicants. Any person or family may apply in person or by mail at Department of Human Services Family and Community Resource Centers. Families with children under they age of 19 may also apply by mail or online to HFS’s KidCare unit. We anticipate that temporary enrollment will last approximately four months. However, this time period is subject to change. HFS will honor the eligibility periods printed on Illinois MediPlan or KidCare cards and providers may verify Illinois eligibility through any existing process: Automated Voice Response at 1-800-842-1461, a REV vendor or online through www.myhfs.illinois.gov.

HFS encourages disaster victims to apply at the local Department of Human Services Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC) to assure they take advantage of all benefits for which they might be eligible. However, disaster evacuees may apply solely for medical benefits by submitting any HFS approved application. HFS has established form HFS 2378KAT, a one-page supplement to existing applications, to collect additional information necessary for identifying hurricane disaster evacuees. This supplement is available on the HFS Web site 2378KAT. Health care providers who assist Hurricane evacuees to apply should complete this form and submit it with the application. Form HFS 2378KAT must accompany all applications from individuals who wish to avail themselves of the relaxed residency and documentation requirements if they do not apply in person at a local Department of Human Services Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC).