HFS Proposed Rule – Advance Payment Agreement
The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has proposed revisions to an administrative rule regarding advance payment agreements. These revisions include new requirements in the recovery of funds due to default, breach or noncompliance of the advance payment agreement, and includes a process for the recoupment of funds. The revisions align with statutory amendments made in P.A. 104-0470, the Medicaid Omnibus. To view the proposed rule in Issue 32 of the Illinois Register, click here. Comments on the proposed rule are due Sept. 21.
Comments may be submitted to HFS.Rules@illinois.gov and should be addressed to:
Chris Gange
Acting General Counsel
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
201 South Grand Avenue East, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62763-0002
REGISTER: Proposed CMS Joint Replacement Model Webinar Aug. 20
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will substantially increase mandatory, episode-based payment models with its Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Expanded (CJR-X) Model. IHA is offering a complimentary webinar on Aug. 20, from 10-11 a.m. CT, to aid hospitals and health systems in preparing for CJR-X changes.
The expanded model will require acute care hospitals to assume greater financial responsibility for joint replacement surgeries among Medicare patients, from hospital stays through the first 90 days of recovery and including follow-up care. Experts with Forvis Mazars will lead the webinar, “Preparing for CJR-X: What Hospital Leaders Need to Know,” focusing on the model’s proposed structure, participation and performance requirements.
The webinar will also spotlight cost and quality performance alignment across an episode of care; potential impacts on performance, operations, and care delivery; and key considerations and early steps for success. The model was finalized in the Inpatient Prospective Payment System final rule on July 31. CJR-X will be mandatory nationwide beginning Jan. 1, 2028.
There is no fee to attend the webinar, which is designed for CFOs, COOs, CMOs, CNOs, and leaders in compliance, revenue cycle, and patient financial services. The session will be recorded and made available to registrants following the program. Register today.
Staff contacts: Cassie Yarbrough, Jennifer Koehler
Survey on IDPH HAI, Antimicrobial Resistance Webinars
The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) recognizes the importance of ongoing education related to infection prevention and control. To better support infection prevention and control programs across the continuum of care, IDPH has announced its 2026-2027 webinar series on healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and antimicrobial resistance prevention will be expanded to include all healthcare settings. Previous webinars were primarily geared toward long-term care facilities.
As IDPH develops webinar topics for this broader audience, the Department is seeking feedback from healthcare professionals. Please take a few minutes to complete the brief survey available here and share the topics you would find most valuable. The survey will close on Aug. 21.
The target audience for the webinar series includes infection preventionists, directors and assistant directors of nursing, quality directors, licensed nursing home administrators, medical directors, hospital epidemiologists, pharmacists, public health administrators, epidemiologists, and others interested in strengthening infection prevention and control practices across healthcare settings.
Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data
The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.
Briefly Noted
A study published recently in JAMA Network Open analyzed outcomes for nearly 16,000 Medicare beneficiaries and found that hospital-at-home patients had dramatically lower in-hospital mortality—0.4% compared to 3.6% for traditional inpatients. They also had fewer emergency department visits within 30 days, lower rates of intensive care unit escalation and hospital-associated complications, and lower post-discharge costs.
Leading the News
IL law requires 988 info in public buildings, suicide prevention curriculum in schools
WAND
A new Illinois law will expand access to suicide prevention services. Lawmakers and advocates want people to know where they can turn during a crisis. The law requires 988 information to be visible in county shelter care homes, daycares, public libraries, hospitals, universities and nursing homes.
10 revenue cycle leaders on the myths they wish would disappear
Becker’s Hospital Review
Ask a Revenue Cycle Leader is a new series featuring insights from health system and hospital revenue cycle executives nationwide. Becker’s poses questions on the most pressing issues in healthcare finance — from payer relations and automation to workforce and patient experience. Blake Evans. System Vice President of Revenue Cycle at Rush University System for Health (Chicago) said: One revenue cycle myth I wish would go away is the belief that revenue cycle alone can solve a healthcare organization’s financial challenges.
What’s been removed from, added to HCAHPS in 2026
Becker’s Hospital Review
This year, CMS has implemented eight changes to the HCAHPS survey and scoring. The changes are part of CMS’ HCAHPS 2.0 launch, which began in 2025.
