IL HB4448

Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for a Medicaid State Plan amendment or federal waiver within 12 months to fund crisis triage and stabilization services at behavioral health urgent care centers for children age 5+ in mental health crisis and adults 18+ in substance use crisis.

Establishes behavioral health urgent care centers as community-based, 24/7 facilities providing voluntary crisis services including assessment, crisis intervention, peer support, counseling, care coordination, and medication monitoring—separate from hospital emergency rooms.

Limits crisis stabilization and safe sobering services to a maximum 24-hour stay, with safe sobering services optional for adults under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Creates tiered reimbursement rates: one bundled rate for crisis triage services, and two per diem rates each for crisis stabilization and safe sobering services (short-term rate for up to 4 hours, full rate for 4-24 hours), with no prior authorization required.

Mandates a stakeholder workgroup within 6 months to provide input on the establishment, operations, staffing, and financing of behavioral health urgent care centers.