IL HB0071

Amends Section 8A-2.5 to add new penalties for vendors knowingly assisting persons in unauthorized medical card use or obtaining unauthorized benefits, and for any entity knowingly falsifying or concealing material facts related to the medical assistance program.

Modifies Section 8A-13 to expand managed health care fraud provisions to include five specific fraudulent acts: executing schemes to defraud health plans, obtaining benefits through false pretenses, falsifying material facts, making materially false statements or representations, and using false documents.

Changes Section 8A-15 to elevate false statements relating to health care delivery from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony.

Allows the Department to seek recovery of improperly paid state and federal benefits plus 5% annual interest, with civil penalties up to $2,000 per fraudulent claim, subject to administrative hearing and due process rights.

Defines "knowledge" in fraud violations according to the Criminal Code of 2012, with the Department authorized to define "knowing" by administrative rule for civil actions.