HB3450: FOOD PRESCRIPTION PILOT PGRAM

Legislative Summary

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish a 2-year pilot program to provide medically supportive food to medical assistance recipients through one or more food prescription programs operated by a participating managed care health plan with the goal of eliminating health disparities, improving health outcomes, and reducing rates of food and nutrition insecurity. Provides that under the pilot program, the Department shall provide medically supportive food coupons to medical assistance recipients who have a food prescription, issued by a licensed physician or health care provider under a participating managed care health plan, for medically supportive food as part of any treatment regimen for type 2 diabetes or prediabetes; hypertension; high-risk pregnancy; or some other specified condition. Provides that coupon holders may redeem their coupons at any participating food retailer and that farmers markets located in "food deserts" and grocery stores that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits may participate in the pilot program as designated retailers that accept medically supportive food program coupons. Contains provisions concerning utilization controls, reporting requirements, and Department rules. Effective immediately.