New Laws Effective January 1, 2011

While lawmakers are still grappling with the state's budget problems, nearly 200 new laws enacted during the Spring 2010 session take effect on Jan. 1, including several health care-related laws:

• Hospital Bathroom Door Locks (HB5764/PA96-0925): Hospitals are required to develop policies and procedures to best fit their individual situations and needs so that bathroom doors in patient rooms can be opened in emergencies. The law was inspired by a southern Illinois man who died in another state when he had a medical emergency in a locked hospital bathroom.
• Medicaid Health Card (HB5054/PA96-0940): On or before July 1, 2011, the Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services will issue a permanent or semi-permanent card instead of monthly medical cards. HFS may also use any reasonable means to facilitate the provider's ability to verify their eligibility.
• Critical Care Transport (HB5183/PA96-1469): Providers will be allowed to bill Medicare for Critical Care Transport. Also, to address concerns about the impact on small and rural communities, the law includes a testing fee waiver for certain exclusive volunteers under the EMS Act.
• Psychiatric Practice Incentive Act (HB5053/PA96-1411): Programs of grants, loans and loan forgiveness are to be established within IDPH to recruit and retain psychiatric service providers in designated shortage areas of the state.
• Mental Health Courts - Videoconferencing (HB5351/PA96-1321): The Illinois Supreme Court or any circuit court may adopt rules to permit the videoconferencing of involuntary commitment hearings. Psychiatrists will be permitted to provide testimony in commitment hearings using video technology.
• Critical Access Hospital Payments (HB5765/PA96-1382): Illinois' 51 Critical Access Hospitals will be reimbursed for Medicaid outpatient services, provided on or after Jan. 1, 2011, based on cost. IHA continues to work closely with HFS on final revisions to the rule to implement this funding initiative, as well as final details on how these and other payments will be financed.
• SIDS Information and Education (HB5930/PA96-1116): Hospitals must provide, free of charge, information and instructional materials regarding sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), emphasizing measures that may reduce the risk of SIDS. Hospital staff must, prior to discharge of a newborn, review the materials with the infant's parents and discuss best practices to reduce the incidence of SIDS as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Hospitals may use free information available at www.sidsillinois.org or other sites such as those discussed in IHA's memo.