HB2497eng 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2497 Engrossed LRB099 03870 KTG 23884 b

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended by adding Section 12-4.49 as follows:

(305 ILCS 5/12-4.49 new)

Sec. 12-4.49. Medical Card; State identification card. The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in cooperation with the Secretary of State and the Department of Human Services, shall undertake a study to determine the feasibility of permitting recipients of medical assistance provided under Article V of this Code to obtain authorized benefits by presenting a valid State identification card issued by the Secretary of State in place of a separate Medical Card. The study shall include an analysis of any costs or cost savings associated with:

(1) discontinuing the distribution and use of a separate Medical Card for recipients of medical assistance provided under Article V of this Code;

(2) permitting recipients of medical assistance provided under Article V of this Code to qualify for a waiver of any fee prescribed under the Illinois Identification Card Act and collected by the Secretary of State for the issuance of a State identification card; and

(3) establishing a verification process that would enable healthcare providers participating in the medical assistance program under Article V of this Code to use a person's Social Security number as it appears on a valid State identification card issued by the Secretary of State to verify that person's eligibility for medical assistance.

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in cooperation with the Secretary of State and the Department of Human Services, shall present its findings to the General Assembly within 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly.