An organization that is licensed or certified by the Department may apply to the Department for designation as an essential community behavioral health care provider. The Department, through administrative rule, shall describe the standards and process of designating an essential community behavioral health care provider, establishing the community to be served, other criteria for selection, and grounds for termination.
A designated essential community behavioral health care provider may reapply for designation 6 months prior to the designation ending and shall provide documented evidence that the provider continues to meet all criteria for designation.
If the essential community behavioral health care provider continues to meet all criteria for designation, the Department shall continue the designation for an additional 5-year period.
20 ILCS 1705/71a