IDFPR to fight the Coronavirus pandemic

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has announced several actions that will help increase the number of health care professionals to fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. The Department’s actions will assist the Governor’s mission to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the State of Illinois.

Out of state physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and respiratory care therapists will provide care to Illinois residents affected by COVID-19 as the IDFPR has issued a proclamation. The IDFPR Secretary has also prepared a series of Variances that will allow these professionals, whose licenses are either inactive, non-renewed, or expire, satisfy an additional set of specific criteria to restore their licenses temporarily during this pandemic.

According to the IDFPR proclamation, out-of-state licensed physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and respiratory care therapists can practice in the State of Illinois in a limited set of circumstances. Secretary of the Department Deborah Hagan, said: “In anticipation of an increased need of healthcare providers during this COVID-19 pandemic, the Department is restoring licensees who fulfill certain criteria in order to work under the direction of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois Department of Public Health.”

Hogan added, “The State of Illinois has many very qualified health care professionals throughout the State that we are encouraging to come back into practice to assist with the impact of COVID-19. Illinois is the home of world-class medical providers who can provide critical care at this time. We are committed to doing our part in the State’s concerted effort to reduce COVID-19’s impact on the State of Illinois.”

Specifically, physicians whose licenses are expired or inactive for less than three years can temporarily restore their license, for no fee or continuing education requirement, to work under the direction of Illinois Emergency Management Agency (“IEMA”) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (“IDPH”) or in a long-term care facility, hospital, or federally qualified health center (“FQHC”)