MedicaidAdministrativeMedium impact
Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS) Program Update
Illinois Medicaid - HFS·IL · Psychiatry, Pediatrics·Provider Notice
Effective date
Nov 1, 2004
We identified it
Jun 21, 2026
Summary
Illinois has implemented clarifications to the SASS (Screening, Assessment and Support Services) program for children's mental health services, affecting billing procedures for community mental health providers and hospitals. Key changes include response time requirements for emergency vs. non-emergency referrals, updated billing procedures for Rule 132 services, and extended deadlines for hospital utilization review compliance.
Action Required
By November 1, 2004: Hospitals must implement mandatory concurrent review for SASS admissions through CARES system. Community mental health providers must use updated service definition crosswalk (September 2004 revision) for all Rule 132 services billed on or after August 1, 2004. SASS providers must respond to emergency referrals within 90 minutes and non-emergency referrals within 24 hours. All Rule 132 services during SASS eligibility must be billed directly to DPA by authorized CMHPs, not by individual physicians.