Good news! Illinois physicians have successfully sued to receive the interest they are owed on delayed reimbursements for care provided to injured workers. 

For decades, workers’ compensation insurers have been using “cost saving strategies” on the backs of doctors by routinely holding back reimbursement for medical care for months – even years! This abuse of the workers’ comp system has placed an extreme burden on medical practices. ISMS has been actively working to reform these harmful tactics, which ultimately cause problems for patients in accessing care.

Several years ago, ISMS successfully backed legislation to amend the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act to require the payment of interest for delayed reimbursement. However, the government failed to enforce the requirement due to regulatory ambiguity. ISMS successfully took action in 2018 to pass legislation to clean up the regulations.  

Concurrent with our work in Springfield, actions were occurring in the court to make physicians whole who were impacted by workers’ compensation insurer delayed payments.

Now, with a favorable class-action settlement in Michael E. Beatty, M.D., P.C. v. Accident Fund General Insurance Company, et al., medical practices are finding relief. Insurers must now pay $10 million to workers’ comp physicians. Due to our action in Springfield, it is likely insurers gave up the fight knowing that they were in violation. 

Read the ISMS News Release.

Learn more about the settlement or how to file a claim. The deadline to file a claim is Jan. 21, 2021.

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) CARES Portal is now open through noon on Oct. 31, 2020. Physicians who participate in Medicaid in the State of Illinois can apply for financial assistance though this portal. 

Any CARES Act funds awarded must be used to cover COVID-19 pandemic related healthcare expenses that were not part of a physician’s annual budget established before March 1, 2020. Those who are eligible must have experienced economic hardship, including:

• Increased healthcare expenses


• Increased expenditures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic 


• Decreased utilization and revenues as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic

Apply for financial assistance by submitting an online application through the  HFS CARES Funding Portal. 

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Be sure to review the portal for eligibility criteria.

If you have questions, call the HFS CARES support line at 866-385-0600, available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or send questions via email. 

You may also contact the ISMS Health Policy Research and Advocacy team with your questions by sending an email.  

This HFS CARES funding is in addition to the federal funding stream we previously reported for physicians who participate in Illinois Medicaid.  

Many voting procedures have changed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you are voting in person or by mail-in ballot, here’s a Q&A on voting in this year’s general election taking place on Tuesday, November 3. 

1.     Am I registered to vote?

You can register to vote or confirm your voter information online. In Illinois, the voter registration period for the 2020 General Election closes on October 18 at 11:59 p.m.

2.     Can I vote in person before Election Day?

Yes, early in-person voting is now open in some areas of the state, with various start dates by county. Please check with your county clerk’s office on early voting dates. Early voting ends November 2.

Request a mail-in ballot 

You can also vote by mail. Request a mail-in ballot by the October 29 deadline. 

Voters will receive a ballot at their registered address, or the mailing address requested by the voter. The mail-in ballot must be completed and returned no later than Election Day. Some early voting locations are also offering secure drop boxes where voters can deliver their ballots.  

3.     Who are the candidates in my area?

To find out the candidates who will be appearing on your ballot, click here.

4.     How can I vote on Election Day?

Traditional voting polls will open at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. Find your polling place here. Please be sure to wear a mask!

  For more information on the 2020 General Election, please visit the website of your local county clerk or the Illinois State Board of Elections.

CME offered.

The state of Illinois has revised its child abuse reporting law to include specific training requirements for mandated reporters.

ISMS is partnering with ISMIE Mutual to offer a webinar that will discuss the indicators for child abuse and neglect, the importance of responding to a child in a trauma-informed manner, and the process and responsibilities of a mandated reporter in the state of Illinois.

Register now for Child Abuse and Neglect: Mandated Reporter Training for Illinois Healthcare Professionals, taking place on October 8 from noon to 1 p.m.

This webinar will be presented by Norell Rosado, MD, of Lurie Children’s Hospital’s Division of Child Abuse Pediatrics and ISMS’ Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer Robert John Kane, JD.

If you would like to serve in ISMS leadership, submit your name to be considered! Applications must be received by Dec. 3, 2020, at 4:45 p.m.

The nominating committee will consider applications from current ISMS members with: 

• At least four continuous years of membership


• A minimum of two years of experience and service in ISMS or an external medically related professional organization


• An active medical license

Learn more about the available positions, along with the responsibilities and time commitment for each office.

Elections will be held at the April 23-25, 2021, ISMS Annual Meeting.