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State Applying For Waiver For Better Mental Health Services For Medicaid Recipients

THE STATE IS OFFICIALLY FILING FOR A WAIVER FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HELP PROVIDE BETTER MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO MEDICAID RECIPIENTS.
 
THE WAIVER WOULD GIVE THE STATE ACCESS TO TWO POINT SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL MEDICAID FUNDS TO RESTRUCTURE HOW THE PROGRAM HANDLES MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS. THE IDEA IS TO CREATE A SYSTEM THAT FOCUSES ON EARLY INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION SAYS GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER.
 
 
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE AND FAMILY SERVICES DIRECTOR FELICIA NORWOOD SAYS THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON A PATIENT’S TOTAL HEALTH…AND PROVIDE MORE PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES.
 
 
NORWOOD SAYS 25 PERCENT OF MEDICAID PATIENTS HAVE SOME SORT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUE.
 
IF APPROVED…THE GOVERNOR SAYS RE-TUNING THE STATE’S DELIVERY OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE WILL SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG TERM BY AVOIDING MORE COSTLY INPATIENT ADMISSIONS AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION.

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