Rate Year 2021 Safety Net Hospital Determination

September 30, 2020

MEMORANDUM

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has posted a Provider Notice alerting hospitals of the completion of the annual Safety Net Hospital determination.  Hospitals which believe they may be qualified as a Safety Net Hospital are highly encouraged to review the determination report (click to assess).

The Medicaid Inpatient Utilization Rate (MIUR) used to designate a hospital as a Safety Net Hospital, as defined in 305 ILCS 5/5-5e.1, or as “high Medicaid hospital” as defined in 305 ILCS 5/5A-12.7(f)(1)(F) of the Hospital Assessment Program, is the MIUR calculated as part of the annual Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) determination.  Therefore, all hospitals are encouraged to review the data and calculation for accuracy, as the appeal period identified in this notice is the same period for these determinations.

IMPORTANT
The effect of the annual MIUR and Safety Net determination calculations will be reflected in the Directed Payment hospital class assignments in the Hospital Assessment Program beginning with the January through March 2021 quarter.

If you believe that the data contained in the determination contains errors, all appeals must be made in accordance with Section 148.310(b) and (f) of the 89 Illinois Administrative Code.  All appeals must be made in writing no later than THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE DSH DETERMINATION LETTER. For Rate Year 2021, appeals MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING AND MUST BE RECEIVED OR POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020.

Direct all appeals and supporting documentation to:

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Bureau of Rate Development and Analysis, DSH Unit
ATTN: Shaw Dahman
201 South Grand Avenue East, 2nd Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62763-0001

If you have any questions regarding this determination, please contact the HFS Bureau of Rate Development and Analysis at (217) 785-0710.

If you have questions regarding this memo, contact IHA.