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COVID-19 Resources and Information

April 29, 2020 COVID-19 Town Hall 

You can download a PDF of the slides, HERE. 

COVID-19 Resources and Recent News

  • This is some information on how non-hospital healthcare providers in Chicago can register for an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.  As information becomes available for other areas outside of Chicago, ISHA will post that information as well. 
  • The issue of tele-supervision was within the emergency rules issued by the Governor on September 15, 2020. These rules supersede the recent variance and are in effect until February 12, 2021. 
    • Section 1465.35 Supervision:
    a) Pursuant to Section 3.5(a) of the Act, supervision of students in speech-language pathology and audiology programs means that the supervisor is either on-site (but not necessarily in the same room as the student) or available remotely using video-conference technology tools whenever the student is performing practices normally done by a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist. Supervision of students requires that direct supervision must be done no less than 25% of the time for treatment and 25% of the time for diagnostics. The supervisor is directly responsible to the client for all actions of that student. For purposes of this Part, direct supervision means the student is on site and, in view
    of the supervisor, or the supervisor remotely uses video-conference technology tools that are in view of the student. This Part does not apply to students in speech-language pathology assistant programs.

Source: Amended by emergency rulemaking at 44 Ill. Reg. 16242, effective September 15, 2020, for a maximum of 150 days.   2020 Illinois Register Rules of Governmental Agencies Volume 44, Issue 40, October 2, 2020

  • The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), which is within the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, issued a question and answer document on September 28, 2020.  This document addresses inquiries concerning the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B provision of services in the current COVID-19 environment. 
  • The Illinois Department of Human Services has provided additional information and resources relating to the Early Intervention Plan for Resuming In-Person (Face-to-Face) in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. 

Executive Orders and Legislation

  • The issue of tele-supervision was within the emergency rules issued by the Governor on September 15, 2020. These rules supersede the recent variance and are in effect until February 12, 2021. 
    • Section 1465.35 Supervision:
    a) Pursuant to Section 3.5(a) of the Act, supervision of students in speech-language pathology and audiology programs means that the supervisor is either on-site (but not necessarily in the same room as the student) or available remotely using video-conference technology tools whenever the student is performing practices normally done by a licensed speech-language pathologist or audiologist. Supervision of students requires that direct supervision must be done no less than 25% of the time for treatment and 25% of the time for diagnostics. The supervisor is directly responsible to the client for all actions of that student. For purposes of this Part, direct supervision means the student is on site and, in view
    of the supervisor, or the supervisor remotely uses video-conference technology tools that are in view of the student. This Part does not apply to students in speech-language pathology assistant programs.

Source: Amended by emergency rulemaking at 44 Ill. Reg. 16242, effective September 15, 2020, for a maximum of 150 days.   2020 Illinois Register Rules of Governmental Agencies Volume 44, Issue 40, October 2, 2020

  • On July 30, 2020, IDFPR has granted a variance on behalf of students pursuing either a speech-language pathology or audiology license. This variance is granted based upon the particular facts surrounding the Illinois Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation issued on March 9, 2020, April 1, 2020, April 30, 2020, May 29, 2020, June 26, 2020 and again on July 24, 2020. The purpose of this variance is to allow licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists to supervise their students remotely using video or audio technology as appropriate, rather than on-site.  Remote supervision may be performed telephonically or using video technology.  The supervisor should be available and prepared to offer assistance as needed when a student is providing services to a client. This variance is hereby granted and expires December 31, 2020.
  • The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) gave Secretary of Education DeVos the power to appeal to Congress if she believes waivers should be made to provide flexibility concerning IDEA. 

    This is her recommendation to Congress where she requests a waiver solely to address transition timelines for students turning 3 and receiving services in Early Intervention. Her request is to extend the transition evaluation timelines to accommodate for delays while FTF evaluations cannot be conducted. This specifically allows for evaluations to be delayed until FTF meetings and assessments are permitted. Her request also provides for toddlers to continue receiving EI services after their 3 birthday until evaluations can be completed and eligibility determinations made on the part of the receiving school district.  This waiver must be approved by Congress.

    ISHA wanted the membership to be aware of Secretary DeVos’ request as it will impact school-based services and the EI providers should Congress approve the appeal. 
  • On May 1, 2020, the Governor issued an Executive Order.  In section 15 of this order it states, "The provision of the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act, 225 ILCS 110/8.8(e), defining "direct supervision" of speech-language pathology assistants as "on-site, in-view observation and guidance by a speech-language pathologist" is suspended for the limited purpose of allowing speech-language pathology assistants to receive supervision by speech-language pathologists by way of video conferencing technology." 
  • On April 30, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that audiologists and speech-language pathologists are now allowed to provide telehealth services to Medicare Part B (outpatient) beneficiaries.  Read more here.
  • On Friday, April 23, 2020, the Governor’s Office has released a DRAFT version of the next stay at home Order, which he intends to file on April 30th.  Changes from the Order currently in effect are indicated by underscored and stricken language.
  • On April 6, 2020, IDFPR has granted a variance on behalf of students pursuing either a speech-language pathology or audiology license.  This variance is granted based upon the particular facts surrounding the Illinois Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation issued on March 9, 2020.  The purpose of this variance is to allow licensed speech-language pathologists and audiologists to supervise their students remotely using video or audio technology as appropriate, rather than on-site.  Remote supervision may be performed telephonically or using video technology.  The supervisor should be available and prepared to offer assistance as needed when a student is providing services to a client.  This variance is hereby granted and expires July 31, 2020.
  • On March 19, 2020, Governor JB Pritzker issued an Executive Order to temporarily expand the availability of telehealth services to protect health care providers in Illinois during the COVID-19 pandemic.  In response to that Executive Order, the Illinois Department of Insurance has issued a memo detailing the requirements for insurance coverage of telehealth services.
  • NEW STATE OF ILLINOIS EXECUTIVE ORDER to expand telehealth services and protect health care providers in response to COVID-19.