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SB 3670

CATCH HEART DISEASE EARLY ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Adriane Johnson

Implements free state-sponsored heart disease screenings for adults 20+, with a payer-of-last-resort model, a voucher program for uninsured, and a registry to track eligibility and

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 3670

Summary: SB3670 — Catch Heart Disease Early Act (Illinois, 104th General Assembly)

Note: This summary covers the introduced bill text and outlines its main goals, key provisions, affected parties, and timeline.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a comprehensive state program to promote early detection of heart disease and related cardiovascular conditions.
  • Eliminate patient cost-sharing for heart disease screenings.
  • Ensure state funding acts as payer of last resort when private or public insurance does not fully cover screening costs.
  • Create a voucher-based reimbursement mechanism for screenings conducted for eligible uninsured or underinsured residents.
  • Build a system (registry and verification) to track screenings, avoid duplicates, and verify eligibility.

Key Provisions and Changes

Coverage and Frequency of Screenings

  • All Illinois residents aged 20 and older are entitled to heart disease screenings at no cost.
    • Ages 20–39: one screening every 6 years.
    • Ages 40 and older: one screening every 2 years.
  • No deductibles, copays, coinsurance, out-of-pocket costs, or other cost-sharing to access these screenings.

Payment and Funding

  • State of Illinois acts as payer of last resort.
    • For insured individuals, private or public insurers (Medicare/Medicaid) pay first, per the individual’s coverage.
    • For insured individuals whose plans do not cover the full cost, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) funds the remaining amount through a voucher program.
  • Voucher program: service providers conducting screenings for eligible uninsured/underinsured Illinois residents are reimbursed via vouchers.

Administration and Verification

  • The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) must:
    • Create a confidential screening registry to track dates and prevent duplicate screenings outside the authorized frequency.
    • Provide a mechanism to verify eligibility for screenings (by age, date of last screening, residency, etc.).
    • Ensure privacy compliance, including HIPAA.
    • Allow opt-out from the registry while maintaining eligibility for screenings.
  • Providers must verify:
    • Individual’s age and Illinois residency.
    • Date of last heart disease screening.
    • Eligibility according to the established schedule.
    • Verification must be documented in the patient’s medical record.

Implementation Timeline

  • Implementation and administration of the screening voucher program: by July 1, 2027, subject to appropriation.

Conforming Legislation

  • The Act includes conforming amendments to several statutes and programs:
    • State Employees Group Insurance Act
    • Counties Code
    • Illinois Municipal Code
    • School Code
    • Illinois Public Aid Code
    • Illinois Insurance Code
  • These conforming changes integrate the new screening mandate with existing insurance and public aid frameworks.

Oversight and Rulemaking

  • HFS is tasked with oversight and shall adopt rules to:
    • Allocate funds for screening vouchers.
    • Coordinate with public and private insurers to ensure out-of-pocket costs are covered and the state remains payer of last resort.
    • Inform the public and providers about the voucher program.

Effective Date

  • Effective immediately upon enactment.

Affected Parties

  • Illinois residents (20+ years) eligible for no-cost heart disease screenings.
  • Uninsured or underinsured residents who may rely on the voucher program.
  • Health care providers performing heart disease screenings.
  • Private and public insurers (including Medicare/Medicaid) as primary payers under the new framework.
  • State agencies: primarily the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and related oversight bodies.
  • Entities delivering screening services (hospitals, clinics, and other authorized providers) that would participate in the voucher system.

Significance and Implications

  • Aims to increase screening uptake by removing financial barriers.
  • Seeks to reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity through earlier detection.
  • Introduces a centralized registry to prevent over-screening and to verify eligibility, raising data privacy considerations.
  • Creates a funding mechanism to cover gaps where insurance does not fully cover screenings, potentially increasing state expenditures contingent on appropriation.
  • Requires coordination with several health programs and insurers, potentially improving equity in access to preventive cardiovascular care.

If you’d like, I can extract a concise one-page briefing with bullet points tailored for policymakers, healthcare providers, or public-facing summaries.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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