WC PPP Form Revised

In HB1698  (820 ILCS 305/8(a) and 8.1 (a)), the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission (IWCC) was tasked with the responsibility of creating the mandatory Workers Compensation Preferred Provider Program  (WC PPP) notification documents that an employer must provide to the employee at the time of injury.  The mandatory form was published by the IWCC on 10/18/2011. 

In a notice published by the IWCC on 6/20/2013, an updated form has been created that replaces the original mandatory document.  The wording of the document has been modified and the requirement of an employee signature has been removed.   The notice states that the revision was made based on employer concerns.  The updated form has a revision date of 6/20/13

To view the new forms, go to http://www.iwcc.il.gov/forms.htm#other.  Forms are available in English and Spanish.

Illinois Workers' Compensation Preferred Provider Program – WCPPP Update

HFN has been approved as a Workers' Compensation Preferred Provider Program Administrator (WCPPPA) by the Illinois Department of Insurance.

The HFN WCPPP Solution
Employers now have, for the first time, the ability to direct their injured workers into a “Workers' Compensation Preferred Provider Program” for their medical treatment. HFN is uniquely positioned and ready to help you realize the benefits and savings associated with utilizing a WCPPP. The final rules have been published and became effective March 4, 2013. HFN is ready to assist you in understanding these regulations and how they can benefit your organization.   

We are available to discuss designating HFN as your WCPPP. HFN is ready to provide comprehensive or customized solutions that can lower your workers’ compensation costs, improve employee health, reduce indemnity and increase productivity for your entire workforce. To augment our WCPPP HFN has the largest Coordinated Occupational Health Network in Illinois (COP®) with 24 hour coverage and Return to Work initiatives to partner with your healthy workforce goals.

For more information about HFN’s WCPPP, Work Comp Direct and other workers comp services  please contact Guy Swanson at (630) 990-8609 or SwansonG@hfninc.com. Additional information is also available at HFN’s WC blog: http://ilwcreformguide.blogspot.com/

WC PPP Rulemaking Update

The General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules met on January 8, 2012, and the Illinois Department of Insurance's WC PPP rulemaking was on the agenda.  JCAR voted to extend the review process by 45 days, and the updates to the Illinois Insurance Code will now appear on the JCAR's February meeting agenda.

JCAR will meet at 9:00am on February 5 at the Stratton Office Building in Springfield, IL to discuss the proposed rulemakings.

JCAR's Dept of Insurance 2013 Update

The General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules' (JCAR) January meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2013.  The Committee's meeting will take place at 9:00am in Room D-1 of the Stratton Office Building in Springfield, Illinois.

Pending Department of Insurance Rulemakings

The current meeting agenda includes the IDOI's workers' compensation preferred provider program (WC PPP) administrative code updates.  Our previous update included details surrounding the established JCAR approval process.

• Preferred Provider Programs (PDF Page 286)
• 50 Ill. Adm. Code 2051
• Proposed 4/27/2012
• Pending: on JCAR January meeting agenda 

 

Approved Department of Insurance Rulemakings

In addition to this proposed-rulemaking, the December 28 Illinois Register contains four approved IDOI updates to the Illinois Administrative Code.  All four of the rulemakings are effective December 17, 2012. 

• Accident and Health Expense Reporting (PDF Page 676)
• 50 Ill Adm Code 2043
• Proposed 8/3/12
• Effective 12/17/2012
• Insurance Data Reporting Requirements (PDF Page 686)
• 50 Ill Adm Code 4203
• Proposed 2/3/2012
• Effective 12/17/2012
• Internal Security Standard and Fidelity Bonds (PDF Page 612)
• 50 Ill Adm Code 904
• Proposed 6/22/12
• Effective 12/17/2012 
• Medical Professional Liability Database (PDF Page 619)
• 50 Ill. Adm. Code 928
• Proposed 7/6/12
• Effective 12/17/2012

WC PPP: Dept of Insurance Rulemaking Update

The Illinois Department of Insurance's proposed updates to the Insurance Code, including the workers' compensation preferred provider programs (WC PPPs), are now on JCAR's January meeting agenda.

The General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules' (JCAR) meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2013.  While most JCAR meetings take place in Chicago, the January meeting will take place at 9:00am in Room D-1 of the Stratton Office Building in Springfield, Illinois.

• Preferred Provider Programs (50 Ill. Adm. Code 2051) proposed 4/27/2012 (PDF Page 286)

The Illinois rulemaking process is detailed on the JCAR website:

JCAR December Meeting Reminder

As a reminder, the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) meets on Tuesday, 12/11/2012 at 11:00am.  The meeting is in Room 600C of the Michael A Bilandic Building, 160 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL.

As of this morning, the December JCAR agenda includes a Department of Insurance-proposed rulemaking concerning a Medical Malpractice Data Base.

• Medical Malpractice Data Base (50 Ill. Adm. Code 928) proposed 7/6/12 (PDF Page 205)

There are no IL Workers' Compensation Commission-proposed rulemakings on the December agenda, and, as of this post, the Department of Insurance WC PPP rulemaking is on neither the December nor the January JCAR meeting agendas. 

JCAR November Update

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) held its November meeting yesterday. 

Our previous JCAR Administrative Rules update details the IL Workers' Compensation Commission and Department of Insurance pending rulemakings on that agenda. 

While there was discussion regarding the internal process utilized by the IWCC with its physician-dispensed pharmacy reimbursement modification, the IWCC and IDOI rulemakings included on the agenda will continue through the process.  The IWCC and IDOI can  adopt the rules by filing them with the Secretary of State, and the effective dates will appear when published in a future Illinois Register.
 
JCAR's next meeting is currently scheduled for December 11, 2012.  As of this post, the IDOI updates to the insurance code, specifically the WC PPP rules, are not on the December agenda.

 

JCAR November/December Meetings & Pending Updates

The next meeting for the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) is scheduled for Tuesday, November 13, 2012.  The committee meeting begins at 11:00am in Room 600C of the Michael A. Bilandic building in Chicago. 

Both the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (IWCC) and Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) have several proposed changes and updates to the Administrative Code pending with JCAR.

Since our previous pending-Administrative Code post, the Department of Insurance moved another rulemaking to JCAR's Second Notice; however, the Medical Malpractice Data Base update appears on the agenda for JCAR's December meeting on 12/11/2012.

 

Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission

There are no additional updates since our previous posts. (Click here for the post covering both the JCAR process and the IWCC "Certificate of No Objection" Administrative Code updates pending publication in the Illinois Register)

JCAR Second Notice: November 13 meeting

• Arbitration (50 Ill Adm Code 7030) proposed 8/17/12 (PDF document page 72)
• Miscellaneous (50 Ill Adm Code 7110) proposed 8/17/12 (PDF document page 79)
• Incorporates the updates to the physician-dispensed pharmacy reimbursement methodology (see our previous update for more information)
• Commission Review Board Procedures (50 Ill Adm Code 7500) proposed 8/17/12 (PDF document page 96)
  
  

Illinois Department of Insurance (updated 11/9/12)

JCAR Second Notice: November 13 meeting

Updated IDOI Administrative Code Changes

The next meeting of the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) is currently scheduled for November 13, 2012. Both the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission (IWCC) and Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) have several proposed changes and updates to the Administrative Code pending with JCAR.

Since our previous pending-Administrative Code post, the Department of Insurance moved several additional rulemakings to JCAR's Second Notice.

 

Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission

No additional updates since our previous post. (Click here for our previous post covering both the JCAR process and the IWCC proposed rules status updates.)

 

Illinois Department of Insurance (updated)

JCAR Second Notice

The following proposed updates moved to JCAR's Second Notice review period. JCAR will consider these rules at its November meeting.

• Insurance Data Reporting Requirements (50 Ill Adm Code 4203) proposed 2/3/12 (PDF Page 9)
• Internal Security Standard and Fidelity Bonds (50 Ill Adm Code 904) proposed 6/22/12 (PDF Page 56)
• Accident and Health Expense Reporting (50 Ill Adm Code 2043) proposed 8/3/12 (PDF Page 24)

Pending Second Notice

As part of the JCAR's First Notice process for the new WC PPP rules, all interested parties were permitted to submit public comments about the proposed regulatory changes to the IDOI up until the June 11, 2012 deadline.

 

At this point, JCAR has not addressed the modifications to the existing rules

(50 Ill. Adm. Code 2051) with the IDOI at its monthly meetings, and, as of this post, the IDOI is not scheduled on the agenda for JCAR’s next meeting on November 13, 2012.

 

• Preferred Provider Programs (50 Ill. Adm. Code 2051) proposed 4/27/2012 (PDF Page 286)

 

IL Administrative Code Status Updates

Both the IWCC and IDOI are in the process of updating their rules and regulations through the Illinois General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR).  If you are unfamiliar with the Illinois rulemaking process, JCAR provides a succinct overview of the process on its website. 

The following is a status update on pending IWCC and IDOI additions and modifications to the Illinois Administrative Code:

Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission

JCAR "Certificates of No Objection"

JCAR issued "Certificates of No Objection" at its September 11, 2012 meeting for two separate IWCC administrative code updates. The IWCC can now adopt the rules by filing them with the Secretary of State. The effective dates will appear when published in a future Illinois Register.

• Miscellaneous (50 Ill Adm Code 7110) proposed 3/2/12
• Incorporates all of HB 1698/Public Act 97-18’s modifications and updates to the medical fee schedule reimbursement and methodology rules. (See our previous post with an outline of the major updates)
• Alcohol and Drug Sample Collection and Testing (50 Ill Adm Code 9140) proposed 6/15/12 (PDF document page 75)

JCAR Second Notice

The following proposed updates moved to JCAR's Second Notice review period. JCAR will consider these rules at its November 13, 2012 meeting.

• Arbitration (50 Ill Adm Code 7030) proposed 8/17/12 (PDF document page 72)
• Miscellaneous (50 Ill Adm Code 7110) proposed 8/17/12 (PDF document page 79)
• Incorporates the updates to the physician-dispensed pharmacy reimbursement methodology (see our previous update for more information)
• Commission Review Board Procedures (50 Ill Adm Code 7500) proposed 8/17/12 (PDF document page 96)

IL WC PPP Status Update (Part 2)

IDOI’s Terminology Changes

When the IDOI submitted its proposed WC PPP regulatory modifications, it updated or clarified the preferred provider program terminology:

Health Care Preferred Provider Program (HC PPP) Administrator

Formerly referred to as the Preferred Provider Program Administrator (PPA). The HC PPP is a new term for the current/traditional PPOs and PPAs, which applies to both group health and workers’ compensation (no WC employer direction) networks. The IDOI already updated its website to reflect this change in terminology:
Approved Health Care Preferred Provider Program Administrators
Provisionally Approved Health Care Preferred Provider Program Administrators ("Provisionally approved" refers to previously approved companies with renewal applications submitted to the IDOI).

Workers’ Compensation Preferred Provider Program (WC PPP) Administrator

Created by HB 1698/Public Act 97-18. This term refers to the new workers’ compensation designation that allows employer direction into an IDOI-Approved WC PPP network.
Approved Workers’ Compensation Preferred Provider Program Administrators

IWCC’s WC PPP Notification Form

For any employer with a designated IDOI-approved WC PPP, an employee must receive the IWCC’s official Notice of Preferred Provider Program for Workers’ Compensation Medical Care. That official form is available on the IWCC website in either English or Spanish. All IWCC forms, including optional WC PPP notification forms, are located in the Forms Section of the IWCC website.


Click here for Part 1 of the WC PPP Status Update (IDOI-proposed regulatory changes)