DSCC Home Care Program

The Home Care program provides services to help families care for children, who are technology dependent and require intensive skilled nursing care, in their own home rather than in a hospital or skilled nursing home. The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) administers this waiver program on behalf of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS).

Who does the Home Care Program help?

Any Illinois child from birth to age 21 who is in need of intensive and highly technical medical care in order to be safely cared for at home, who would otherwise require treatment in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, and whose cost of care would be the responsibility of HFS.

What eligibility requirements must be met?

• It must be possible to safely care for the child in the family's home.
• The cost to HFS must be less than it would cost the state if the child were cared for in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
• The family must be willing and able to care for the child in their home.

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What services can be provided to help my child live at home?

When needed by your child and approved in advance by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), the following services can be provided:

How do I apply?

A DSCC case manager submits an application to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) on behalf of the family. The application contains a detailed description of their child's medical condition and needs as described by the child's doctor.  It also includes a  plan which contains medical, environmental, educational, social, and cost information necessary for  safely providing the child's care in the family's home.

Although the application can usually be completed and submitted to HFS within a few weeks, it may take much longer if the child's needs change, are unusually complex, or if needed medical recommendations and cost quotations are not provided when requested.

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When will I know if my child is eligible?

After an application has been completed, it is reviewed with the family and then submitted to HFS. HFS will either approve or reject the application as submitted. If the application is rejected, HFS will tell the family and DSCC the reason. The family can then either appeal HFS's decision or work with DSCC and their child's doctor to develop a plan which corrects the reason for rejection.

What must I do after the home care plan is approved?

Once the application is approved, DSCC will help the family implement the plan. The DSCC case manager will arrange for any needed home modification, delivery of equipment and supplies, and notify the nursing agency chosen by the family. As time goes on, the case manager will meet with the family at regular intervals to ensure the plan is working, to discuss the family's satisfaction with services, and to review the family's needs. The child's plan will be reviewed, updated, and submitted to HFS for continued approval.

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How do I apply?

Print the following application forms and mail them to the DSCC office in your area. You can locate the office in your area from our website.

You can fill-in and print completed forms from our web site, print blank forms and complete them manually, or contact a DSCC Regional Office to receive them by regular mail. Instructions are available to explain how to complete pdf forms on-line. The Adobe Reader, available free from the Adobe web site, is needed to view and print these PDF files.

Note: Adobe Reader does not allow you to save completed forms to disk; the ability to save completed forms is available commercially with the Adobe Acrobat 3.0 (or later) product suite.

Or you can call your nearest DSCC office and request application forms. You will be asked to provide financial and health care information about your child and family. These forms are needed to begin the waiver application process.

More questions?

Our Families page has a listing of frequently asked questions (FAQs) which may be helpful.

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Home Care Provider Forms Online

• Price Estimate for Medical Equipment & Supplies (53.33)
  Home Care Providers must complete this form annually, and whenever major changes in the child's equipment & supplies occur. The estimated cost of prescribed equipment and supplies must be submitted to ensure the child's medical plan of care remains cost effective. Providers can electronically complete this form and submit it, via fax, to the regional office coordinating the child's care. Or, the form can printed and completed manually.
  
  
• Home Nursing Services Billing
  Changes in the billing process are being implemented for claims with dates of service beginning September 1, 2003 and thereafter as part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The new Home Nursing services billing document (form 55.12) accommodates the billing changes required by HIPAA. Instructions for completion of the new billing form and a list of procedure codes are provided on the form for your assistance.

  The Home Nursing Services Billing Form is available in 2 formats: Microsoft Word and PDF (Portable Document Format). Nursing Agencies can fill-in and print completed forms from our web site, print blank forms and complete them manually, or contact the DSCC Call Center toll-free at 877-791-5170 to receive them by regular mail.

Instructions are available to explain how to complete PDF forms on-line. The Adobe Reader, available free from the Adobe web site, is needed to view and print PDF files.

Note: Adobe Reader does not allow you to save completed forms to disk; the ability to save completed forms is available commercially with the Adobe Acrobat 3.0 (or later) product suite.

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