OHCA Policies and Rules

317:30-5-1043. Coverage by category

[Revised 09-14-20]

(a) Adults. Residential Behavioral Management Services (RBMS) in group settings are not covered for adults.

(b) Children. RBMS in group settings are covered for children as set forth in this subsection.

(1) Description. RBMS are provided by Organized Health Care Delivery Systems (OHCDS) for children in the care and custody of the State who have special psychological, behavioral, emotional and social needs that require more intensive care than can be provided in a family or foster home setting. The behavior management services are provided in the least restrictive environment and within a therapeutic milieu. The group setting is restorative in nature, allowing children with emotional and psychological problems to develop the necessary control to function in a less restrictive setting. RBMS are reimbursed in accordance with established rate methodology as described in the Oklahoma Medicaid State Plan. It is expected that RBMS in group settings are an all-inclusive array of treatment services provided in one (1) day. In the case of a child who needs additional specialized services, under the Rehabilitation Option or by a psychologist, prior authorization by the OHCA or designated agent is required. Only specialized rehabilitation or psychological treatment services to address unique, unusual or severe symptoms or disorders will be authorized. If additional services are approved, the OHCDS collaborates with the provider of such services as directed by the OHCA or its agent. Any additional specialized behavioral health services provided to children in state custody are funded in the normal manner. The OHCDS must provide concurrent documentation that these services are not duplicative. The OHCDS determines the need for RBMS.

(2) Medical necessity criteria. The following medical necessity criteria must be met for RBMS.

(A) Any Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) primary diagnosis, with the exception of V codes, with a detailed description of the symptoms supporting the diagnosis. A detailed description of the child's emotional, behavioral and psychological condition must be on file.

(B) The child is medically stable and not actively suicidal or homicidal and not in need of substance abuse detoxification services.

(C) It has been determined by the OHCDS that the current disabling symptoms could not have been or have not been manageable in a less intensive treatment program.

(D) Documentation that the child's presenting emotional and/or behavioral problems prevent the child from living in a traditional family home. The child requires the availability of twenty-four (24) hour crisis response/behavior management and intensive clinical interventions from professional staff.

(E) The agency which has permanent or temporary custody of the child agrees to active participation in the child's treatment needs and planning.

(F) All of the medical necessity criteria must also be met for continued stay in residential group settings.

(3) Treatment components.

(A) Individual plan of care development. A comprehensive individualized plan of care for each resident shall be formulated by the provider agency staff within thirty (30) days of admission, for intensive treatment services (ITS) level within seventy-two (72) hours, with documented input from the agency which has permanent or temporary custody of the child and when possible, the parent. This plan must be revised and updated at least every three (3) months, every seven (7) days for ITS, with documented involvement of the agency which has permanent or temporary custody of the child. Documented involvement can be written approval of the individual plan of care by the agency which has permanent or temporary custody of the child and indicated by the signature of the agency case worker or liaison on the individual plan of care. It is acceptable in circumstances where it is necessary to fax a service plan to someone for review and then have him/her fax back his/her signature; however, the provider obtains the original signature for the clinical file within thirty (30) days. No stamped or Xeroxed signatures are allowed. An individual plan of care is considered inherent in the provision of therapy and is not covered as a separate item of behavior management services. The individual plan of care is individualized taking into account the child's age, history, diagnosis, functional levels, and culture. It includes appropriate goals and time limited and measurable objectives. Each member's individual plan of care must also address the provider agency's plans with regard to the provision of services in each of the following areas:

(i) Group therapy;

(ii) Individual therapy;

(iii) Family therapy;

(iv) Alcohol and other drug counseling;

(v) Basic living skills redevelopment;

(vi) Social skills redevelopment;

(vii) Behavior redirection; and

(viii) The provider agency's plan to access appropriate educational placement services. (Any educational costs are excluded from calculation of the daily rate for behavior management services.)

(B) Individual therapy. The provider agency must provide individual therapy on a weekly basis with a minimum of one (1) or more sessions totaling one (1) hour or more of treatment per week to children and youth receiving RBMS in group homes. Individual therapy must be age appropriate and the techniques and modalities employed relevant to the goals and objectives of the individual's plan of care. Individual counseling is a face-to-face, one-to-one service, and must be provided in a confidential setting.

(C) Group therapy. The provider agency must provide group therapy to children and youth receiving RBMS. Group therapy must be a face-to-face interaction, age appropriate and the techniques and modalities employed relevant to the goals and objectives of the individual's plan of care. The minimum expected occurrence would be one (1) hour per week in group homes. Group size should not exceed six (6) members and group therapy sessions must be provided in a confidential setting. Thirty (30) minutes of individual therapy may be substituted for one (1) hour of group therapy.

(D) Family therapy. Family therapy is a face-to-face interaction between the therapist/counselor and family, to facilitate emotional, psychological or behavioral changes and promote successful communication and understanding. The provider agency must provide family therapy as indicated by the resident's individual plan of care. The agency must work with the caretaker to whom the resident will be discharged, as identified by the OHCDS custody worker. The agency must seek to support and enhance the child's relationships with family members (nuclear and appropriate extended), if the custody plan for the child indicates family reunification. The RBMS provider must also seek to involve the child's parents in treatment team meetings, plans and decisions and to keep them informed of the child's progress in the program. Any service provided to the family must have the child as the focus.

(E) Alcohol and other drug abuse treatment education, prevention, therapy. The provider agency must provide alcohol and other drug abuse treatment for residents who have emotional or behavioral problems related to substance abuse/chemical dependency, to begin, maintain and enhance recovery from alcoholism, problem drinking, drug abuse, drug dependency addiction or nicotine use and addiction. This service is considered ancillary to any other formal treatment program in which the child participates for treatment and rehabilitation. For residents who have no identifiable alcohol or other drug use, abuse, or dependency, age appropriate education and prevention activities are appropriate. These may include self-esteem enhancement, violence alternatives, communication skills or other skill development curriculums.

(F) Basic living skills redevelopment. The provider agency must provide goal-directed activities designed for each resident to restore, retain, and improve those basic skills necessary to independently function in a family or community. Basic living skills redevelopment is age appropriate and relevant to the goals and objectives of the individual plan of care. This may include, but is not limited to food planning and preparation, maintenance of personal hygiene and living environment, household management, personal and household shopping, community awareness and familiarization with community resources, mobility skills, job application and retention skills.

(G) Social skills redevelopment. The provider agency must provide goal-directed activities designed for each resident to restore, retain and improve the self-help, communication, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary to reside successfully in home and community based settings. These are age appropriate, culturally sensitive and relevant to the goals of the individual plan of care. For ITS level of care, the minimum skill redevelopment per day is three (3) hours. Any combination of basic living skills and social skills redevelopment that is appropriate to the need and developmental abilities of the child is acceptable.

(H) Behavior redirection. The provider agency must be able to provide behavior redirection management by agency staff as needed twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days per week. The agency must ensure staff availability to respond in a crisis to stabilize residents' behavior and prevent placement disruption. In addition, ITS group homes will be required to provide crisis stabilization interaction and treatment for new residents twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

(4) Providers. For eligible RBMS agencies to bill the OHCA for services provided by their staff for behavior management therapies (individual, group, family) as of July 1, 2007, providers must have the following qualifications:

(A) Be licensed in the state in which the services are delivered as a licensed psychologist, social worker (clinical specialty only), professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or behavioral practitioner, alcohol and drug counselor or under Board approved supervision to be licensed in one (1) of the above stated areas; or

(B) Be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) certified in a psychiatric mental health specialty, and licensed as a registered nurse (RN) with a current certification of recognition from the Board of Nursing in the state in which services are provided; and

(i) Case management, assessment and treatment planning;

(ii) Treatment of victims of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse;

(iii) Treatment of children with attachment disorders;

(iv) Treatment of children with hyperactivity or attention deficit disorders;

(v) Treatment methodologies for emotionally disturbed children and youth;

(vi) Normal childhood development and the effect of abuse and/or neglect on childhood development;

(vii) Treatment of children and families with substance abuse and chemical dependency disorders;

(viii) Anger management; and

(ix) Crisis intervention.

(D) Staff providing basic living skills redevelopment, social skills redevelopment, and alcohol and other substance abuse treatment, must meet one (1) of the following areas:

(i) Bachelor's or master's degree in a behavioral health related field including but not limited to, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, school guidance and counseling, social work, occupational therapy, family studies, alcohol and drug; or

(ii) Currently licensed and in good standing as an RN in the state in which services are provided; or

(iii) Certification as an alcohol and drug counselor to provide substance abuse rehabilitative treatment to those with alcohol and/or other drug dependencies or addictions as a primary or secondary DSM diagnosis; or

(iv) Current certification as a behavioral health case manager from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (ODMHSAS) and meets OHCA requirements to perform case management services, as described in Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 317:30-5-240 through 317:30-5-249.

(E) Staff providing behavior redirection services must have current certification and required updates in nationally recognized behavior management techniques, such as Controlling Aggressive Patient Environment (CAPE) or MANDT. Additionally, staff providing these services must receive initial and ongoing training in at least one (1) of the following areas:

(i) Trauma-informed methodology;

(ii) Anger management;

(iii) Crisis intervention;

(iv) Normal child and adolescent development and the effect of abuse;

(v) Neglect and/or violence on such development;

(vi) Grief and loss issues for children in out of home placement;

(vii) Interventions with victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse;

(viii) Care and treatment of children with attachment disorders;

(ix) Care and treatment of children with hyperactive, or attention deficit, or conduct disorders;

(x) Care and treatment of children, youth and families with substance abuse and chemical dependency disorders;

(xi) Passive physical restraint procedures; or

(xii) Procedures for working with delinquents or the Inpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment of Minors Act.

(F) In addition, behavior management staff must have access to consultation with an appropriately licensed mental health professional.

Disclaimer. The OHCA rules found on this Web site are unofficial. The official rules are published by the Oklahoma Secretary of State Office of Administrative Rules as Title 317 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code. To order an official copy of these rules, contact the Office of Administrative Rules at (405) 521-4911.