Governor Pritzker signed legislation earlier this week that includes an additional $150 million in funding intended to boost physician Medicaid reimbursements. Accordingly, we expect this will result in an increase in the Medicaid physician fee schedule.

The legislation also includes a new hospital assessment program that will increase funding for hospitals, and a healthcare omnibus package covering a variety of issues, including the requirement that the Illinois Department of Insurance and HFS study how state government can help people who lack health insurance.

This bill had passed the General Assembly during the fast and furious abbreviated spring legislative session in May.

If you have questions, please contact ISMS Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Erin O'Brien at 312-580-6488. 

The pandemic has primed people to listen to doctors. People who may not have otherwise … so let’s build on that.

In other words, now is the time for medicine to lead. One way you can lead is by sharing your ideas for how to tackle the challenges and potential solutions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As an ISMS member, you have the power to introduce a policy resolution that could lead to improvement in your community, throughout Illinois and even federally.

Submitting a resolution is easy and we can help if you need it. Start with our Guide to Developing Resolutions and if you need further support, send us an email.

If you want your resolution to be considered in time for the next quarterly ISMS Board meeting, which will take place in October, please submit your resolution by Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 .

Partnering with Community-based Organizations to Improve Patient Care

July 22
Noon to 1 p.m. (CDT)

Coordinated Care Alliance is a network of community-based organizations in Illinois. This network partners with healthcare entities to provide holistic care, such as continuum of care services that integrate social and medical aspects of care to achieve the best outcomes at the lowest costs for healthcare partners. This webinar will focus on where to acquire adult protective and healthcare services using the Illinois Department on Aging’s website, community services and support systems that address the social determinants of health.

• ISMS members, ISMIE policyholders and their staffs can participate in this webinar for free. All others must pay $150 to attend.
• Register here. 

Mental Health During COVID-19: When Pandemic and Epidemic Collide

July 23
Noon to 1 p.m. (CDT)

This webinar will explore the effect of the dual crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid addiction and overdose crisis on healthcare professionals and their patients. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the country and the world, the opioid epidemic worsened. How can physicians and other healthcare professionals treat both the pandemic and the epidemic and manage the stress of dealing with two major crises at the same time?

• ISMS members, ISMIE policyholders and their staffs can participate in this webinar for free. All others must pay $150 to attend.
• CME offered
• Register here. 

Treating Chronic Pain Without Opioids

August 4
Noon to 1 p.m. (CDT)>

Gain a better understanding of the non-opioid options available to treat patients experiencing chronic pain. This webinar will discuss risks associated with prescribing opioids for chronic pain and alternative therapies that may be safer, such as non-opioid and non-pharmacologic treatments.

• ISMS members, ISMIE policyholders and their staffs can participate in this webinar for free.   All others must pay $150 to attend.
• CME offered
• Register here. 

Addressing Illinois' Health Disparities: Designing and Advocating for Solution

August 11
Noon to 1 p.m. (CDT)

This program discusses health disparities in Illinois and in the United State as a whole, and how the population health perspective can address them. The webinar will also cover emerging diseases and other health issues from a public and population health perspective.

• ISMS members, ISMIE policyholders and their staffs can participate in this webinar for free. All others must pay $150 to attend.
• CME offered
• Register here.

While COVID-19 has dominated the headlines for months, many Illinois residents are also dealing with health issues unrelated to the virus that may require medications. In addition, many have lost their jobs and health insurance.

The Illinois Rx Card may be able to help ease the burden of costly prescription medications for your patients. This savings program is designed to help those who may be uninsured, underinsured or who have health insurance coverage with no prescription benefits – but anyone can use it. 

Patients (and physicians) can save up to 80% on prescription drugs by using this free card. All they need to do is present the card at a pharmacy when paying for a prescription. 

In instances in which patients are unable to go to the pharmacy in person, they should call the pharmacy to provide the information and the discount can be applied. 

If you are interested in ordering cards for your practice, clinic, hospital or for yourself, please contact Program Director Charlie Hartung by email or call 888-615-1988. The card can also be printed at home or in your office.

Certain brands of hand sanitizer contain methanol, which can be toxic when absorbed through the skin and life-threatening when ingested. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there have been incidents of adults and children who have ingested hand sanitizer made with methanol, leading to blindness, hospitalizations and even death. Methanol is not a safe alcohol to use because it can cause serious damage to organs in the body if you swallow it, breathe it in, or get it on your skin.

Due to the pandemic, hand sanitizers are a hot commodity, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending the use of sanitizers that contain at least 60% ethanol alcohol, along with frequent hand washing.

The FDA lists hand sanitizer products that have tested positive for methanol that consumers should avoid.

Anyone exposed to methanol poisoning should seek immediate treatment.