Library: Policy
317:30-5-1023. Coverage by category
Revised 9-1-21
(a) Adults. There is no coverage for services rendered to adults twenty-one (21) years of age and older.
(b) Children. For non-Individualized Education Program (IEP) medical services that can be provided in a school setting, refer to Part 4, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment program, of Oklahoma Administrative Code at 317:30-3-65 through 317:30-3-63.12. Payment is made for the following compensable services rendered by qualified school providers:
(1) Diagnostic encounters. Diagnostic encounters are defined as those services necessary to fully evaluate defects, physical or behavioral health illnesses, or conditions discovered by the screening. Approved diagnostic encounters may include the following:
(A) Hearing and hearing aid evaluation. Hearing evaluation includes pure tone air, bone, and speech audiometry. Hearing evaluations must be provided by a state-licensed audiologist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-675 (d) (1) and (2).
(B) Audiometry test. Audiometric test (Immittance [Impedance] audiometry or tympanometry) includes bilateral assessment of middle ear status and reflex studies (when appropriate) provided by a state-licensed audiologist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-675 (d) (1) and (2).
(C) Ear impression (for earmold). Ear impression (for earmold) includes taking an impression of a member's ear and providing a finished earmold, to be used with the member's hearing aid as provided by a state-licensed audiologist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-675 (d) (1) and (2).
(D) Vision screening. Vision screening in schools includes application of tests and examinations to identify visual defects or vision disorders. The vision screening may be performed by a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) under the supervision of an RN. The service can be billed when a SoonerCare member has an individualized documented concern that warrants a screening. A vision examination must be provided by a state-licensed Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) or licensed physician specializing in ophthalmology (M.D. or D.O.). This vision examination, at a minimum, includes diagnosis and treatment for defects in vision.
(E) Speech-language evaluation. Speech-language evaluation is for the purpose of identification of children or adolescents with speech or language disorders and the diagnosis and appraisal of specific speech and language services. Speech-language evaluations must be provided by a fully licensed speech-language pathologist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-675 (a) (1) through (3).
(F) Physical therapy evaluation. Physical therapy evaluation includes evaluating the student's ability to move throughout the school and to participate in classroom activities and the identification of movement dysfunction and related functional problems. It must be provided by a fully licensed physical therapist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-290.1 (a) (1) and (2). Physical therapy evaluations must adhere to guidelines found at OAC 317:30-5-291.
(G) Occupational therapy evaluation. Occupational therapy evaluation services include determining what therapeutic services, assistive technology, and environmental modifications a student requires for participation in the special education program and must be provided by a fully licensed occupational therapist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-295 (a) (1) and (2). Occupational therapy evaluations must adhere to guidelines found at OAC 317:30-5-296.
(H) Evaluation and testing. Evaluation and testing by psychologists and certified school psychologists are for the purpose of assessing emotional, behavioral, cognitive, or developmental issues that are affecting academic performance and for determining recommended treatment protocol. Evaluation or testing for the sole purpose of academic placement (e.g., diagnosis of learning disorders) is not a compensable service. These evaluations and tests must be provided by a state-licensed, board-certified psychologist or a certified school psychologist certified by the State Department of Education (SDE).
(2) Child-guidance treatment encounter. A child-guidance treatment encounter may occur through the provision of individual, family, or group treatment services to children and adolescents who are identified as having specific disorders or delays in development, emotional or behavioral problems, or disorders of speech, language, or hearing. These types of encounters are initiated following the completion of a diagnostic encounter and subsequent development of a treatment plan, or as a result of an IEP and may include the following:
(A) Hearing and vision services. Hearing and vision services may include provision of habilitation activities, such as: auditory training; aural and visual habilitation training including Braille, and communication management; orientation and mobility; and counseling for vision and hearing losses and disorders. Services must be provided by or under the direct guidance of one (1) of the following individuals practicing within the scope of his or her practice under state law:
(i) State-licensed audiologist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-675 (d) (1) and (2).
(ii) Fully licensed, speech-language pathologist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-675 (a) (1) through (3).
(iii) Certified orientation and mobility specialists.
(B) Speech-language therapy services. Speech-language therapy services include provisions of speech and language services for the habilitation or prevention of communicative disorders. Speech-language therapy services must be provided by or under the direct guidance and supervision of a fully licensed speech-language pathologist within the scope of his or her practice under state law as listed in OAC 317:30-5-675 (a) (1) through (3).
(C) Physical therapy services. Physical therapy services are provided for the purpose of preventing or alleviating movement dysfunction and related functional problems that adversely affect the member's education. Physical therapy services must adhere to guidelines found at OAC 317:30-5-291 and must be provided by or under the direct guidance and supervision of a fully licensed physical therapist; services may also be provided by a licensed physical therapy assistant who has been authorized by the Board of Examiners working under the supervision of a fully licensed physical therapist.
(D) Occupational therapy services. Occupational therapy may include provision of services to improve, develop, or restore impaired ability to function independently. Occupational therapy services must be provided by or under the direct guidance and supervision of a fully licensed occupational therapist; services may also be provided by a licensed occupational therapy assistant who has been authorized by the Board of Examiners, working under the supervision of a licensed occupational therapist.
(E) Nursing services. Nursing services may include provision of services to protect the health status of children and adolescents, correct health problems and assist in removing or modifying health-related barriers, and must be provided by a RN or LPN under supervision of a RN. Services include medically necessary procedures rendered at the school site, such as catheterization, suctioning, tube feeding, and administration and monitoring of medication.
(F) Counseling services. All services must be for the direct benefit of the member. Counseling services must be provided by a state-licensed social worker, a state-licensed professional counselor, a state-licensed psychologist or SDE-certified school psychologist, a state-licensed marriage and family therapist, or a state-licensed behavioral health practitioner, or under Board supervision to be licensed in one (1) of the above-stated areas.
(G) Assistive technology. Assistive technology is the provision of services that help to select a device and assist a student with disability(ies) to use an assistive technology device, including coordination with other therapies and training of member and caregiver. Services must be provided by a:
(i) Fully licensed speech-language pathologist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-675 (a) (1) through (3).
(ii) Fully licensed physical therapist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-290.1 (a) (1) and (2); or
(iii) Fully licensed occupational therapist as listed in OAC 317:30-5-295 (a) (1) and (2).
(H) Personal care. Provision of personal care services (PCS) allow students with disabilities to safely attend school. Services include, but are not limited to: dressing, eating, bathing, assistance with transferring and toileting, positioning, and instrumental activities of daily living such as preparing meals and managing medications. PCS also includes assistance while riding a school bus to handle medical or physical emergencies. Services must be provided by registered paraprofessionals that have completed training approved or provided by SDE, or personal care assistants, including LPNs, who have completed on-the-job training specific to their duties. PCS does not include behavioral monitoring. Paraprofessionals are not allowed to administer medication, nor are they allowed to assist with or provide therapy services to SoonerCare members. Tube feeding of any type may only be reimbursed if provided by a RN or LPN. Catheter insertion and Catheter/Ostomy care may only be reimbursed when done by a RN or LPN. All PCS must be prior authorized.
(I) Therapeutic behavioral services (TBS). Services are goal-directed activities for each client to restore, retain and improve the self-help, socialization, communication, and adaptive skills necessary to reside successfully in home and community-based settings. It also includes problem identification and goal setting, medication support, restoring function, and providing support and redirection when needed. TBS activities are behavioral interventions to complement more intensive behavioral health services and may include the following components: basic living and self-help skills; social skills; communication skills; organization and time management; and transitional living skills. This service must be provided by a behavioral health school aide (BHSA) who has a high school diploma or equivalent and has successfully completed training approved by the SDE, and in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, along with corresponding continuing education. BHSA must be supervised by a bachelor's level individual with a special education certification. BHSA must have CPR and First Aid certification. Six (6) additional hours of related continuing education are required per year.
(c) Members eligible for Part B of Medicare. EPSDT school health-related services provided to Medicare eligible members are billed directly to the fiscal agent.
