IL SB2113

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code to establish a reimbursement program for long-term care facilities beginning January 1, 2009, allowing skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and Class I Institutions for Mental Diseases to receive reimbursement for increased employee health care benefits spending.

Eligible employees must be engaged in direct care work and covered by a recognized health care benefits package; reimbursement is calculated based on increased spending that exceeds amounts reported in the facility's previous cost report.

Facilities must provide written, legally binding commitments before January 1 of each year to increase spending on employee health benefits, with enforcement mechanisms available to employees that are expeditious, use neutral decision-makers, and are economical.

Department of Healthcare and Family Services may audit reimbursements and shall reduce or eliminate payments to any facility that fails to honor its commitment or decreases such spending.

Act becomes effective July 1, 2009, and does not interfere with reimbursements based on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) funding methodology; reimbursement is subject to available appropriations.