Illinois Recognizes National Recovery Month, Highlights Resources
Gov. JB Pritzker recently issued two proclamations recognizing Aug. 31 as International Overdose Awareness Day and September as National Recovery Month in Illinois. These observances honor the lives lost to drug overdose, support people in recovery, and promote access to treatment and resources. A news release from the Governor’s office provided information on events the Illinois Dept. of Human Services (IDHS) and its community partners will host throughout September, including memorials, educational trainings, speaker panels, and digital campaigns.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers immediate support for those in crisis. Individuals seeking naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses can contact providers funded by the IDHS Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery (IDHS-DBHR) to provide Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) services here. Organizations interested in becoming a Drug Overdose Prevention Program can find more information here.
Additionally, IDHS-DBHR continues to promote and implement strategies targeted at saving lives and improving access to recovery services for people impacted by mental illness and substance use in Illinois. The IDHS-DBHR’s Illinois Helpline (call 1-833-234-6343, text “HELP” to 833234, or visit www.helplineIL.org) continues to be a vital connection point for people seeking help and offers a variety of services for substance use and gambling disorders including treatment, Medication-Assisted Recovery, harm reduction services, and housing. Individuals can also receive recovery and wellness support at the Illinois Warm Line at 866-359-7953, Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CT.
American College of Surgeons Launches ‘Find a Hospital’ Tool
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) recently announced the launch of a new Find a Hospital tool designed to help surgeons and patients easily locate hospitals that the organization says meets its rigorous standards for surgical care. The resource allows the public to search for ACS Surgical Quality Partner hospitals by location through an interactive map; filter results by type of quality program, such as bariatric surgery, cancer care, children’s surgery, or geriatric surgery; and learn how many ACS Quality Programs each hospital participates in. The Find a Hospital tool enables surgeons and patients to locate hospitals that have undergone accreditation or verification through ACS Quality Programs.
ACC Issues New Immunization Clinical Guidance
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has issued a new Concise Clinical Guidance document recommending immunizations to protect adults with heart disease against respiratory illness, including influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, and other diseases where vaccination is shown to offer cardiovascular protective benefits. Published in JACC, the guidance consolidates vaccine-specific recommendations from existing ACC/American Heart Association guidelines and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and includes answers to frequently asked questions that can be used to assist with patient discussions. Click here to view key takeaways from the guidance issued by the ACC.
DEADLINE SUNDAY: Medicaid IMPACT Revalidations Due
The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is currently conducting IMPACT Medicaid provider revalidations. Providers in the August cohort must complete IMPACT revalidations by this Sunday, Aug. 31. Completing this information is necessary to continue receiving Medicaid reimbursement. If you are in this revalidation cycle and do not submit your revalidation information by Aug. 31 you will be disenrolled from the IMPACT system and cannot receive retroactive enrollment. IHA urges all providers to check their revalidation cycle due date. NOTE: If a physician providing services at your hospital does not revalidate, your hospital will not receive payment for those services provided by that physician. HFS has provided IHA with step-by-step instructions to check the status and due date of servicing providers that you can access here. The IMPACT Provider Revalidation website includes step-by-step instructions, FAQs and a townhall webinar recording.
