17) Provider Recruitment

POLICY:

1. CFCs and LICs are responsible for provider recruitment within their local service areas.
2. Identified gaps in service delivery require that provider recruitment efforts begin immediately. Service delivery gaps may be identified when:
   1. Service Coordinators have identified lack of enrolled providers within the CFC local service area to provide services to eligible children, or
   2. The LIC has completed a needs assessment which has identified a lack of enrolled providers within the CFC local service area.
3. Each individual provider of care must be properly credentialed and/or enrolled with the Central Billing Office (CBO) in order to receive authorization to provide Early Intervention services.
4. Evaluation/assessment services for the purpose of determining initial eligibility, participating in the development of an initial comprehensive IFSP, and adding new types of services to existing IFSPs must be provided by a provider with a credential for Evaluation/Assessment in addition to an Early Intervention Specialist credential in the discipline required by the service being evaluated.

PROCEDURE:

1. The LIC identifies all existing services and resources in the CFC local service area, including services that may be provided by independent providers.
2. The LIC Coordinator and/or the CFC Program Manager should identify and recruit qualified credentialed providers to apply for the evaluation/assessment credential to ensure that a sufficient number of individuals from across disciplines have this credential to meet the evaluation/assessment needs of the families in the CFC service area. The qualified provider should submit the Evaluation/Assessment Portfolio Application, including evaluation reports in the required format and documentation of attendance at an Evaluation/Assessment Workshop (day 2 of the Systems Overview), and an Individual Provider Agreement for Authorization to Provide Evaluation/Assessment.
3. The LIC Coordinator and/or the CFC Program Manager meet with identified providers of services to explain Early Intervention and the credential/enrollment process.
4. Provider(s) agreeing to enroll may download application material from the Provider Connections web site at www.wiu.edu/ProviderConnections. If providers have questions about the credential/enrollment process, they may contact Provider Connections at 800/701-0995.
5. Providers required to obtain a credential submit the credential/enrollment application sections. A credential will not be granted unless Central Billing Office and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (IDHFS) enrollment applications are submitted with the credential application.
   1. Physicians, transportation providers, interpreters, assistive technology providers, deaf mentors, optometrists and ophthalmologists are not required to obtain a credential;
   2. Providers may initially apply for an Early Intervention " temporary" credential and enroll to bill for authorized services for eligible children. Additional training is required within 6 months, along with documentation of 240 hours (30 hours for audiologists) of supervised professional experience providing direct EI services either prior to or during temporary credential, for full credential status and continued enrollment.
6. Providers that are required to enroll with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (IDHFS) as an Early Intervention provider must submit the IDHFS application section.
   1. School Speech/Language Pathologists who are not licensed by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, Parent Liaisons, Interpreters, Deaf Mentors, Dietitians and Nutrition Counselors are not required to enroll with IDHFS.
7. All providers are required to enroll with the Central Billing Office prior to authorization for services and must submit the Central Billing Office enrollment application section.
8. If an available enrolled provider is not identified within seven business days of the IFSP meeting, the CFC shall locate an available qualified provider who is not enrolled and shall request a DHS Provisional service authorization, contact the provider within two days, and immediately inform the provisional provider on how to enroll. (See "Provider Selection" sub-section of the "Individualized Family Service Plan Development" section for information of the provisional service authorization process.)
9. Providers submit completed application packets to Provider Connections at the following address. Faxed copies will not be accepted.
10. Provider Connections