Library: Policy

317:30-5-281. Coverage by Category

Revised 9-1-17

(a) Outpatient Behavioral Health Services. Outpatient behavioral health services are covered as set forth in this Section, and when provided in accordance with a documented individualized service plan and/or medical record, developed to treat the identified behavioral health and/or substance use disorder(s), unless specified otherwise.

(1) All services are to be for the goal of improvement of functioning, independence, or wellbeing of the member. The services and treatment plans are to be recovery focused, trauma and co-occurring specific. The member must be able to actively participate in the treatment. Active participation means that the member must have sufficient cognitive abilities, communication skills, and short-term memory to derive a reasonable benefit from the treatment.

(2) In order to be reimbursed for services, providers must submit a completed Customer Data Core (CDC) to OHCA or its designated agent. The CDC must be reviewed, updated and resubmitted by the provider every six (6) months. Reimbursement is made only for services provided while a current CDC is on file with OHCA or its designated agent. For further information and instructions regarding the CDC, refer to the Prior Authorization Manual.

(3) Some outpatient behavioral health services may require authorization. For information regarding services requiring authorization and the process for obtaining them, refer to the Prior Authorization Manual. Authorization of services is not a guarantee of payment. The provider is responsible for ensuring that the eligibility, medical necessity, procedural, coding, claims submission, and all other state and federal requirements are met. OHCA does retain the final administrative review over both authorization and review of services as required by 42 CFR 431.10.

(b) Adults. Outpatient behavioral health coverage for adults rendered by a LBHP is limited to bio-psycho-social assessments when required by OHCA as part of a preoperative prior authorization protocol for organ transplant or bariatric surgical procedures.

(1) The interview and assessment is defined as a face-to-face interaction with the member. Assessment includes a history, mental status, full bio-psycho-social evaluation, a disposition, communications with family or other sources, review of laboratory or other pertinent medical information, and medical/clinical consultations as necessary. The pre-op evaluation should aim to assess the member's psychological well-being, ability to make informed decisions, and willingness to participate actively in postoperative treatment.

(2) For bariatric preoperative assessments, issues to address include, but are not limited to: depression, self-esteem, stress management, coping skills, binge eating, change in eating habits, other eating disorders, change in social roles, changes associated with return to work/school, body image, sexual function, lifestyle issues, personality factors that may affect treatment and recovery, alcohol or substance use disorders, ability to make lasting behavior changes, and need for further support and counseling.

(1) Bio-psycho-social and level of care assessments.

(A) The interview and assessment is defined as a face-to-face interaction with the member. Assessment includes a history, mental status, full bio-psycho-social evaluation, a disposition, communications with family or other sources, review of laboratory or other pertinent medical information, and medical/clinical consultations as necessary.

(B) Assessments for children's level of care determination of medical necessity must follow a specified assessment process through OHCA or their designated agent. Only one assessment is allowable per provider per member. If there has been a break in service over a six (6) month period, or the assessment is conducted for the purpose of determining a child's need for inpatient psychiatric admission, then an additional unit can be authorized by OHCA, or their designated agent.

(2) Psychotherapy in an outpatient setting including an office, clinic, or other confidential setting. The services may be performed at the residence of the member if it is demonstrated that it is clinically beneficial, or if the member is unable to go to a clinic or office. Individual psychotherapy is defined as a one to one treatment using a widely accepted modality or treatment framework suited to the individual's age, developmental abilities and diagnosis. It may include specialized techniques such as biofeedback or hypnosis. Psychotherapy is considered to involve "interactive complexity" when there are communication factors during a visit that complicate delivery of the psychotherapy by the LBHP. Sessions typically involve members who have other individuals legally responsible for their care (i.e. minors or adults with guardians); members who request others to be involved in their care during the session (i.e. adults accompanied by one or more participating family members or interpreter or language translator); or members that require involvement of other third parties (i.e. child welfare, juvenile justice, parole/probation officers, schools, etc.). Psychotherapy should only be reported as involving interactive complexity when at least one of the following communication factors is present:

(A) The need to manage maladaptive communication (i.e. related to high anxiety, high reactivity, repeated questions, or disagreement) among participants that complicate delivery of care.

(B) Caregiver emotions/behavior that interfere with implementation of the treatment plan.

(C) Evidence/disclosure of a sentinel event and mandated report to a third party (i.e. abuse or neglect with report to state agency) with initiation of discussion of the sentinel event and/or report with patient and other visit participants.

(D) Use of play equipment, physical devices, interpreter or translator to overcome barriers to therapeutic interaction with a patient who is not fluent in the same language or who has not developed or lost expressive or receptive language skills to use or understand typical language.

(3) Family Psychotherapy is performed in an outpatient setting limited to an office, clinic, or other confidential setting. Family therapy is a face-to-face interaction between a therapist and the patient/family to facilitate emotional, psychological or behavioral changes and promote communication and understanding. Family therapy must be provided for the benefit of the member as a specifically identified component of an individual treatment plan.

(4) Group and/or Interactive Group psychotherapy in an outpatient setting must be performed in an office, clinic, or other confidential setting. Group therapy is a face-to-face interaction between a therapist and two or more unrelated patients (though there may be siblings in the same group, just not siblings only) to facilitate emotional, psychological, or behavioral changes. All group therapy records must indicate group size. Maximum total group size is six (6) for ages four (4) up to eighteen (18). Groups 18-20 year olds can include eight (8) individuals. Group therapy must be provided for the benefit of the member as a specifically identified component of an individual treatment plan. Multi-family group therapy size is limited to eight (8) family units.

(5) Assessment/evaluation and testing is provided by a psychologist, certified psychometrist, psychological technician of a psychologist or a LBHP utilizing tests selected from currently accepted assessment test batteries. For assessments conducted in a school setting, the Oklahoma State Department of Education requires that a licensed supervisor sign the assessment. Eight (8) hours/units of testing per patient over the age of three (3), per provider is allowed every twelve (12) months. There may be instances when further testing is appropriate based on established medical necessity criteria found in the Prior Authorization Manual. Justification for additional testing beyond allowed amount as specified in this section must be clearly explained and documented in the medical record. Test results must be reflected in the service plan or medical record. The service plan must clearly document the need for the testing and what the testing is expected to achieve. Testing units must be billed on the date the testing, interpretation, scoring, and/or reporting was performed and supported by documentation.

(6) Crisis intervention services for the purpose of stabilization and hospitalization diversion as clinically appropriate.

(7) Payment for therapy services provided by a LBHP to any one member is limited to four (4) sessions/units per month. A maximum of twelve (12) sessions/units of therapy and testing services per day per provider are allowed. A maximum of thirty-five (35) hours of therapy per week per provider are allowed. The weekly service hour limitation will be calculated using a rolling four (4) week average. Case Management services are considered an integral component of the behavioral health services listed above.

(8) A child receiving residential behavioral management in a foster home, also known as therapeutic foster care, or a child receiving residential behavioral management in a group home, also known as therapeutic group home, may not receive individual, group or family counseling or testing unless allowed by the OHCA or their designated agent.

(d) Home and Community Based Waiver Services for the Intellectually Disabled.All providers participating in the Home and Community Based Waiver Services for the intellectually disabled program must have a separate contract with this Authority to provide services under this program. All services are specified in the individual's plan of care.

(e) Individuals eligible for Part B of Medicare.Payment is made utilizing the Medicaid allowable for comparable services.

(f) Nursing Facilities.Services provided to members residing in nursing facilities may not be billed to SoonerCare.