Provider-Plan-Payer Alliance for Health

Illinois was recently awarded a Model Design grant from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovations (CMMI) for the development of a State Health Care Innovation Plan. Through these grants, CMMI is encouraging states to develop multi-payer approaches that send a consistent signal to providers and consumers incentivizing healthy behaviors, safe environments, and appropriate community supports linked to high quality care through accountable and comprehensive delivery systems. Illinois will develop its models to test over three years in the next round of funding. The grant period officially began April 1, 2013 and the Department must submit the comprehensive plan to CMS by September 30, 2013.

Over these six months, Illinois will develop its State Health Care Innovation Plan, which will focus on models to improve overall population health through collaboration among public health, health care, and community development sectors. The Innovation Plan will incorporate new initiatives, as well as build upon the delivery and payment system reforms already underway in Medicaid and the private sector. The planning process will require collaboration among health plans, providers, and payers to reform payment and delivery systems and the active engagement of community development and public health communities to enhance quality, improve health status and reduce overall costs.

Michael Gelder, senior health policy advisor to Governor Quinn, will lead the development of the plan in conjunction with the directors of the departments of Healthcare and Family Services, Human Services, Aging, Insurance, Professional Regulation, and Public Health. Staff workgroups will focus on delivery system/payment reform, data and policy changes needed.

Overall, this grant is essential to achieve Governor Quinn's goal to transform Illinois' health care system to emphasize health, wellness, and independence. A healthy population is critical to keep health care costs affordable for businesses and families, which in turn will help Illinois attract jobs and continue to expand our economy.

Learn more at the State of Illinois Health Care Reform website.