Over 5% of deaths in Illinois are linked to alcohol and drug use. The state’s rate of illicit drug use tends to keep pace with the national average, which is currently hovering around a high-water mark of 11%. In other words, Illinois could use a few more treatment centers, especially in the wake of the mental and behavioral health crisis touched off by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Illinois does require substance use treatment providers to obtain a license to provide treatment in the state. The state’s licensing program is overseen by the Department of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery.
Today, we’ll examine how to open an addiction treatment center in the state of Illinois and look at what organizations need to obtain a license and how addiction treatment providers can go about obtaining a license in the state.
Illinois Requires a License for Addiction Treatment Providers at Every Level of Care
In the Substance Use Disorder Act, the state of Illinois made it clear what types of addiction treatment providers must apply for a license. Sec. 15-10 specifically states that:
No person or program may provide the services or conduct the activities described in this Section without first obtaining a license therefor from the Department, unless otherwise exempted under this Act. The Department shall, by rule, provide requirements for each of the following types of licenses and categories of service:
(a) Treatment: Categories of service authorized by a treatment license are:
Early Intervention, Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization, Subacute Residential/Inpatient, and Withdrawal Management. Medication assisted treatment that includes methadone used for an opioid use disorder can be licensed as an adjunct to any of the treatment levels of care specified in this Section.
This makes it pretty clear that nearly all addiction treatment providers - outside government-operated agencies - must apply for a license to do business in the state of Illinois.
If Your Addiction Treatment Facility Wants to Accept Medicaid, You’ll Have to Apply for a Separate Program, As Well
Some states link their licensing program to their Medicaid funding program, allowing all licensed facilities to receive state funds. Illinois, however, treats each step separately. First, providers must obtain a general license. Then, they need to apply for a separate program at the Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, nicknamed SUPR. The irony here is that the form for each separate application is actually the same form. The state of Illinois asks addiction treatment providers to fill out this form two times to complete the medicaid application process.
Note: Illinois makes great use of this general-purpose application form. It’s also the form they use for voluntary applications for sober living home certification in the state.
What You’ll Need to Apply for an Addiction Treatment Center License in Illinois
There are many, many required attachments you’ll need to compile to complete your application for licensure in the state of Illinois. Usefully, the state supplies providers with a dashboard with quick references to pertinent information and many of the contact numbers you’ll likely need during the process.
As you’re working on your application, remember to include such attachments as:
The required $200 fee
Corporate information
Facility information
Schedule A form (if you’re a for-profit organization)\
Board of Directors information (for non-profits)
An organization chart
Medical director information, also referred to as Schedule E
Professional staff information
Statement of Compliance and Life Safety Inspection Report
Documented proof of zoning and local building ordinance compliance
Proof of your accreditation status with COA, AAAHC, JCAHO, or CARF (optional)
Information regarding the level(s) of care your organization will provide
If You’re Opening an Addiction Treatment Center in Illinois, We Can Help
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