Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 016 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Division 06 - Medical Services
Rule 016.06.13-010 - Provider Manual Update Transmittal: THERAPY-1-13

Universal Citation: AR Admin Rules 016.06.13-010

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024

Section II Occupational, Physical, Speech Therapy Services

214.300 Occupational and Physical Therapy Guidelines for Retrospective

Review

A. Medical Necessity

Occupational and physical therapy services must be medically necessary to the treatment of the individual's illness or injury. A diagnosis alone is not sufficient documentation to support the medical necessity of therapy. To be considered medically necessary, the following conditions must be met:

1. The services must be considered under accepted standards of practice to be a specific and effective treatment for the patient's condition.

2. The services must be of such a level of complexity or the patient's condition must be such that the services required can be safely and effectively performed only by or under the supervision of a qualified physical or occupational therapist.

3. There must be reasonable expectation that therapy will result in a meaningful improvement or a reasonable expectation that therapy will prevent a worsening of the condition. (See the medical necessity definition in the Glossary of this manual.)

B. Evaluations and Report Components

To establish medical necessity, a comprehensive assessment in the suspected area of deficit must be performed. A comprehensive assessment must include:

1. Date of evaluation.

2. Child's name and date of birth.

3. Diagnosis specific to therapy.

4. Background information including pertinent medical history; and, if the child is 12 months of age or younger, gestational age. The child should be tested in the child's dominant language; if not, an explanation must be provided in the evaluation.

NOTE: To calculate a child's gestational age, subtract the number of weeks born before 40 weeks of gestation from the chronological age. Therefore, a 7-month-old, former 28 week gestational age infant has a corrected age of 4 months according to the following equation:

7 months - [(40 weeks) - 28 weeks) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [(12) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [3]

4 months

5. Standardized test results, including all subtest scores, if applicable. Test results must be reported as standard scores, Z scores, T scores or percentiles. Age-equivalent scores and percentage of delay cannot be used to qualify for services.

6. If applicable, test results should be adjusted for prematurity (less than 37 weeks gestation) if the child is 12 months of age or younger, and this should be noted in the evaluation.

7. Objective information describing the child's gross/fine motor abilities/deficits, e.g., range of motion measurements, manual muscle testing, muscle tone or a narrative description of the child's functional mobility skills (strengths and weaknesses).

8. An interpretation of the results of the evaluation, including recommendations for therapy/minutes per week.

9. A description of functional strengths and limitations, a suggested treatment plan and potential goals to address each identified problem.

10. Signature and credentials of the therapist performing the evaluation.

C. Interpretation and Eligibility: Ages Birth to 21
1. Tests used must be norm-referenced, standardized and specific to the therapy provided.

2. Tests must be age appropriate for the child being tested.

3. All subtests, components and scores must be reported for all tests used for eligibility purposes.

4. Eligibility for therapy will be based upon a score of -1.5 standard deviations (SD) below the mean or greater in at least one subtest area or composite score on a norm-referenced, standardized test. When a -1.5 SD or greater is not indicated by the test, a criterion-referenced test along with informed clinical opinion must be included to support the medical necessity of services.

5. If the child cannot be tested with a norm-referenced, standardized test, criterion-based testing or a functional description of the child's gross/fine motor deficits may be used. Documentation of the reason a standardized test could not be used must be included in the evaluation.

6. The Mental Measurement Yearbook (MMY) is the standard reference to determine reliability/validity. Refer to the Accepted Tests sections for a list of standardized tests accepted by Arkansas Medicaid for retrospective reviews.

7. Range of Motion: A limitation of greater than ten degrees and/or documentation of how a deficit limits function.

8. Muscle Tone: Modified Ashworth Scale.

9. Manual Muscle Test: A deficit is a muscle strength grade of fair (3/5) or below that impedes functional skills. With increased muscle tone, as in cerebral palsy, testing is unreliable.

10. Transfer Skills: Documented as the amount of assistance required to perform transfer, i.e., maximum, moderate or minimal assistance. A deficit is defined as the inability to perform a transfer safely and independently.

11. Children (birth to age 21) receiving services outside of the public schools must be evaluated annually.

12. Children (birth to age 2) in the Child Health Management Services (CHMS) program must be evaluated every 6 months.

13. Children (age three to 21) receiving services within public schools, as a part of an Individual Program Plan (IPP) or an Individual Education Plan (IEP), must have a full evaluation every three years; however, an annual update of progress is required. "School-related" means the child is of school age, attends public school and receives therapy provided by the school.

D. Frequency, Intensity and Duration of Physical and/or Occupational Therapy Services

The frequency, intensity and duration of therapy services should always be medically necessary and realistic for the age of the child and the severity of the deficit or disorder. Therapy is indicated if improvement will occur as a direct result of these services and if there is a potential for improvement in the form of functional gain.

1. Monitoring: May be used to ensure that the child is maintaining a desired skill level or to assess the effectiveness and fit of equipment such as orthotics and other durable medical equipment. Monitoring frequency should be based on a time interval that is reasonable for the complexity of the problem being addressed.

2. Maintenance Therapy: Services that are performed primarily to maintain range of motion or to provide positioning services for the patient do not qualify for physical or occupational therapy services. These services can be provided to the child as part of a home program implemented by the child's caregivers and do not necessarily require the skilled services of a physical or occupational therapist to be performed safely and effectively.

3. Duration of Services: Therapy services should be provided as long as reasonable progress is made toward established goals. If reasonable functional progress cannot be expected with continued therapy, then services should be discontinued and monitoring or establishment of a home program should be implemented.

E. Progress Notes
1. Child's name.

2. Date of service.

3. Time in and time out of each therapy session.

4. Objectives addressed (should coincide with the plan of care).

5. A description of specific therapy services provided daily and the activities rendered during each therapy session, along with a form measurement.

6. Progress notes must be legible.

7. Therapists must sign each date of entry with a full signature and credentials.

8. Graduate students must have the supervising physical therapist or occupational therapist co-sign progress notes.

214.310 Accepted Tests for Occupational Therapy

Tests used must be norm-referenced, standardized, age appropriate and specific to the suspected area(s) of deficit. The following list of tests is not all-inclusive. When using a test that is not listed below, the provider must include an explanation and justification in the evaluation report to support the use of the chosen test. The Mental Measurement Yearbook (MMY) is the standard reference for determining the reliability and validity of the test(s) administered in an evaluation. Providers should refer to the MMY for additional information regarding specific tests. These definitions are applied to the lists of accepted tests:

* STANDARDIZED: Tests that are used to determine the presence or absence of deficits; any diagnostic tool or procedure that has a standardized administration and scoring process and compares results to an appropriate normative sample.

* SUPPLEMENTAL: Tests and tools that are used to further document deficits and support standardized results; any non-diagnostic tool that is a screening or is criterion-referenced, descriptive in design, a structured probe or an accepted clinical assessment procedure. Supplemental tests may not replace standardized tests.

* CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Clinical observations have a supplemental role in the evaluation process and should always be included. They are especially important when standard scores do not accurately reflect a child's deficits in order to qualify the child for therapy. A detailed narrative or description of a child's limitations and how they affect functional performance may constitute the primary justification of medical necessity when a standardized evaluation is inappropriate (see Section 214.400, part D, paragraph 8).

A. Occupational Therapy Tests - Standardized

Test

Abbreviation

Adaptive Behavior Scale - School Edition

ABS-S

Ashworth Scale

Box & Block Test of Manual Dexterity

BBT

Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency

BOMP

Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency - Second Edition

BOT-2

Children's Handwriting Evaluation Scale

CHES

Cognitive Performance Test

CPT

DeGangi-Berk Test of Sensory Integration

TSI

Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration

VMI

Developmental Test of Visual Perception, Second Edition

DTVP

Evaluation Tool of Children's Handwriting

ETCH

Functional Independence Measure - young version

WeeFIM

Functional Independence Measure - 7 years of age to adult

FIM

Jacobs Prevocational Skills Assessment

Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills

KELS

Milwaukee Evaluation of Daily Living Skills

MEDLS

Motor Free Visual Perception Test

MVPT

Motor Free Visual Perception Test - Revised

MVPT-R

Mullen Scales of Early Learning

MSEL

NOTE: Although the MSEL is an accepted standardized test, it is felt by the Therapy Advisory Council (TAC) that an additional test should be administered.

Peabody Developmental Motor Scales

PDMS

Peabody Developmental Motor Scales - 2

PDMS-2

Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory

PEDI

NOTE: The PEDI can also be used for older children whose functional abilities fall below that expected of a 7 1/2 year old with no disabilities. In this case, the scaled score is the most appropriate score to consider.

Purdue Pegboard Test

Range of Motion

ROM

Sensory Integration and Praxis Test

SIPT

Sensory Integration Inventory Revised

SII-R

Sensory Processing Measure

SPM

Sensory Processing Measure-Preschool

SPM-P

Sensory Profile, Adolescent/Adult

Sensory Profile, Infant/Toddler

Sensory Profile

Sensory Profile School Companion

Test of Handwriting Skills

THS

Test of Infant Motor Performance

TIMP

Test of Visual Motor Integration

TVMI

Test of Visual Motor Skills

TVMS

Test of Visual Motor Skills - R

TVMS-R

Test of Visual Perceptual Skills

TVPS

Test of Visual Perceptual Skills - Upper Level

TVPS

Toddler and Infant Motor Evaluation

TIME

Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Abilities

WRAVMA

B. Occupational Therapy Tests - Supplemental

Test

Abbreviation

Analysis of Sensory Behavior Inventory

Battelle Developmental Inventory

BDI

Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation

BaFPE

Brigance Developmental Inventory

BDI

Developmental Assessment of Young Children

DAYC

Early Learning Accomplishment Profile

E-LAP

Erhardt Developmental Prehension Assessment

EDPA

Functional Profile

Goodenough Harris Draw a Person Scale Test

Grip and Pinch Strength

Hawaii Early Learning Profile

HELP

Jordan Left-Right Reversal Test

JLRRT

Knox Preschool Play Scale

Learning Accomplishment Profile

LAP

Manual Muscle Test

MMT

Miller Assessment for Preschoolers

MAP

School Function Assessment

SFA

Sensorimotor Performance Analysis

SPA

Sensory Integration Inventory

SII

Social Skills Rating System

SSRS

214.320 Accepted Tests for Physical Therapy

Tests used must be norm-referenced, standardized, age appropriate and specific to the suspected area(s) of deficit. The following list of tests is not all-inclusive. When using a test that is not listed below, the provider must include an explanation and justification in the evaluation report to support the use of the chosen test. The Mental Measurement Yearbook (MMY) is the standard reference for determining the reliability and validity of the tests administered in an evaluation. Providers should refer to the MMY for additional information regarding specific tests. These definitions are applied to the following lists of accepted tests:

* STANDARDIZED: Tests that are used to determine the presence or absence of deficits; any diagnostic tool or procedure that has a standardized administration and scoring process and compares the results to an appropriate normative sample.

* SUPPLEMENTAL: Tests and tools that are used to further document deficits and support standardized results; any non-diagnostic tool that is a screening or is criterion-referenced, descriptive in design, a structured probe or an accepted clinical assessment procedure. Supplemental tests may not replace standardized tests.

* CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Clinical observations have a supplemental role in the evaluation process and should always be included. They are especially important when standard scores do not accurately reflect a child's deficits in order to qualify the child for therapy. A detailed narrative or description of a child's limitations and how they affect functional performance may constitute the primary justification of medical necessity when a standardized evaluation is inappropriate (see Section 214.400, part D, paragraph 8).

A. Physical Therapy Tests - Standardized

Test

Abbreviation

Alberta Infant Motor Scale

AIMS

Adaptive Behavior Inventory

ABI

Adaptive Behavior Scale - School, Second Edition

ABS-S:2

Ashworth Scale

Assessment of Adaptive Areas

AAA

Bruininks-Oseretsky test of Motor Proficiency

BOMP

Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition

BOT-2

Comprehensive Trail-Making Test

CTMT

Functional Independence Measure for Children

WeeFIM

Functional Independence Measure - 7 years of age to adult

FIM

Gross Motor Function Measure

GMFM

Movement Assessment Battery for Children

Movement ABC

Mullen Scales of Early Learning

MSEL

NOTE: Although the MSEL is an accepted standardized test, it is felt by the Therapy Advisory Council (TAC) that an additional test should be administered.

Peabody Developmental Motor Scales

PDMS

Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition

PDMS-2

Pediatric Balance Scale

PBS

Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory

PEDI

NOTE: The PEDI can also be used for older children whose functional abilities fall below that expected of a 7 1/2 year old with no disabilities. In this case, the scaled score is the most appropriate score to consider.

Range of Motion - Functional Performance Impairments

ROM

Sensory Processing Measure

SPM

Sensory Processing Measure-Preschool

SPM-P

Test of Infant Motor Performance

TIMP

Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition

TGMD-2

Toddler and Infant Motor Evaluation

B. Physical Therapy Tests - Supplemental

Test

Abbreviation

Battelle Developmental Inventory

BDI

Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition

BSID-2

Brigance Developmental Inventory

BDI

Developmental Assessment for Students with Severe Disabilities, Second Edition

DASH-2

Developmental Assessment of Young Children

DAYC

Early Learning Accomplishment Profile

E-LAP

Hawaii Early Learning Profile

HELP

Learning Accomplishment Profile

LAP

Manual Muscle Test

MMT

Milani-Comparetti Developmental Examination

Miller Assessment for Preschoolers

MAP

Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale

NBAS

C. Physical Therapy Tests - Piloted

Test

Abbreviation

Assessment for Persons Profoundly or Severely Impaired

APPSI

214.400 Speech-Language Therapy Guidelines for Retrospective Review
A. Medical Necessity

Speech-language therapy services must be medically necessary to the treatment of the individual's illness or injury. A diagnosis alone is not sufficient documentation to support the medical necessity of therapy. To be considered medically necessary, the following conditions must be met:

1. The services must be considered under accepted standards of practice to be a specific and effective treatment for the patient's condition.

2. The services must be of such a level of complexity or the patient's condition must be such that the services required can be safely and effectively performed only by or under the supervision of a qualified speech and language pathologist.

3. There must be a reasonable expectation that therapy will result in meaningful improvement or a reasonable expectation that therapy will prevent a worsening of the condition. (See the medical necessity definition in the Glossary of this manual.)

B. Types of Communication Disorders
1. Language Disorders - Impaired comprehension and/or use of spoken, written and/or other symbol systems. This disorder may involve the following components:

forms of language (phonology, morphology, syntax), content and meaning of language (semantics, prosody), function of language (pragmatics) and/or the perception/processing of language. Language disorders may involve one, all or a combination of the above components.

2. Speech Production Disorders - Impairment of the articulation of speech sounds, voice and/or fluency. Speech Production disorders may involve one, all or a combination of these components of the speech production system.

An articulation disorder may manifest as an individual sound deficiency, i.e., traditional articulation disorder, incomplete or deviant use of the phonological system, i.e., phonological disorder, or poor coordination of the oral-motor mechanism for purposes of speech production, i.e., verbal and/or oral apraxia, dysarthria.

3. Oral Motor/Swallowing/Feeding Disorders - Impairment of the muscles, structures and/or functions of the mouth (physiological or sensory-based) involved with the entire act of deglutition from placement and manipulation of food in the mouth through the oral and pharyngeal phases of the swallow. These disorders may or may not result in deficits to speech production.

C. Evaluation and Report Components
1. STANDARDIZED SCORING KEY:

Mild: Scores between 84-78; -1.0 standard deviation Moderate: Scores between 77-71; -1.5 standard deviations Severe: Scores between 70-64; -2.0 standard deviations Profound: Scores of 63 or lower; -2.0+ standard deviations

2. LANGUAGE: To establish medical necessity, results from a comprehensive assessment in the suspected area of deficit must be reported. (Refer to Section 214.400, part D, paragraphs 9-12 for required frequency of re-evaluations.) A comprehensive assessment for Language disorder must include:
a. Date of evaluation.

b. Child's name and date of birth.

c. Diagnosis specific to therapy.

d. Background information including pertinent medical history; and, if the child is 12 months of age or younger, gestational age. The child should be tested in the child's dominant language; if not, an explanation must be provided in the evaluation.

NOTE: To calculate a child's gestational age, subtract the number of

weeks born before 40 weeks of gestation from the chronological age. Therefore, a 7-month-old, former 28 week gestational age infant has a corrected age of 4 months according to the following equation:

7 months - [(40 weeks) - 28 weeks) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [(12) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [3]

4 months

e. Results from an assessment specific to the suspected type of language disorder, including all relevant scores, quotients and/or indexes, if applicable. A comprehensive measure of language must be included for initial evaluations. Use of one-word vocabulary tests alone will not be accepted. (Review Section 214.410 - Accepted Tests for Speech-Language Therapy.)

f. If applicable, test results should be adjusted for prematurity (less than 37 weeks gestation) if the child is 12 months of age or younger, and this should be noted in the evaluation.

g. Oral-peripheral speech mechanism examination, which includes a description of the structure and function of the orofacial structures. h. Formal or informal assessment of hearing, articulation, voice and fluency skills.

i. An interpretation of the results of the evaluation including recommendations for frequency and intensity of treatment.

j. A description of functional strengths and limitations, a suggested treatment plan and potential goals to address each identified problem.

k. Signature and credentials of the therapist performing the evaluation.

3. SPEECH PRODUCTION (Articulation, Phonological, Apraxia): To establish medical necessity, results from a comprehensive assessment in the suspected area of deficit must be reported. (Refer to Section 214.400, part D, paragraphs 9-12 for required frequency of re-evaluations.) A comprehensive assessment for Speech Production (Articulation, Phonological, Apraxia) disorder must include:
a. Date of evaluation.

b. Child's name and date of birth.

c. Diagnosis specific to therapy.

d. Background information including pertinent medical history; and, if the child is 12 months of age or younger, gestational age. The child should be tested in the child's dominant language; if not, an explanation must be provided in the evaluation.

NOTE: To calculate a child's gestational age, subtract the number of

weeks born before 40 weeks of gestation from the chronological age. Therefore, a 7-month-old, former 28 week gestational age infant has a corrected age of 4 months according to the following equation:

7 months - [(40 weeks) - 28 weeks) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [(12) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [3]

4 months

e. Results from an assessment specific to the suspected type of speech production disorder, including all relevant scores, quotients and/or indexes, if applicable. All errors specific to the type of speech production disorder must be reported (e.g., positions, processes, motor patterns). (Review Section 214.410 - Accepted Tests for Speech-Language Therapy.)

f. If applicable, test results should be adjusted for prematurity (less than 37 weeks gestation) if the child is 12 months of age or younger, and this should be noted in the evaluation.

g. Oral-peripheral speech mechanism examination, which includes a description of the structure and function of orofacial structures.

h. Formal screening of language skills. Examples include, but are not limited to,

the Fluharty-2, KLST-2, CELF-4 Screen or TTFC.

i. Formal or informal assessment of hearing, voice and fluency skills.

j. An interpretation of the results of the evaluation, including recommendations for frequency and intensity of treatment.

k. A description of functional strengths and limitations, a suggested treatment plan and potential goals to address each identified problem.

l. Signature and credentials of the therapist performing the evaluation.

4. SPEECH PRODUCTION (Voice): To establish medical necessity, results from a comprehensive assessment in the suspected area of deficit must be reported. (Refer to Section 214.400, part D, paragraphs 9-12 for required frequency of re-evaluations.) A comprehensive assessment for Speech Production (Voice) disorder must include:
a. A medical evaluation to determine the presence or absence of a physical etiology is not a prerequisite for evaluation of voice disorder; however, it is required for the initiation of treatments related to the voice disorder. See Section 214.400 D4.

b. Date of evaluation.

c. Child's name and date of birth.

d. Diagnosis specific to therapy.

e. Background information including pertinent medical history; and, if the child is 12 months of age or younger, gestational age. The child should be tested in the child's dominant language; if not, an explanation must be provided in the evaluation.

NOTE: To calculate a child's gestational age, subtract the number of

weeks born before 40 weeks of gestation from the chronological age. Therefore, a 7-month-old, former 28 week gestational age infant has a corrected age of 4 months according to the following equation:

7 months - [(40 weeks) - 28 weeks) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [(12) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [3]

4 months

f. Results from an assessment relevant to the suspected type of speech production disorder, including all relevant scores, quotients and/or indexes, if applicable. (Review Section 214.410 - Accepted Tests for Speech-Language Therapy.)

g. If applicable, test results should be adjusted for prematurity (less than 37 weeks gestation) if the child is 12 months of age or younger, and this should be noted in the evaluation.

h. Oral-peripheral speech mechanism examination, which includes a description of the structure and function of orofacial structures.

i. Formal screening of language skills. Examples include, but are not limited to, the Fluharty-2, KLST-2, CELF-4 Screen or TTFC.

j. Formal or informal assessment of hearing, articulation and fluency skills.

k. An interpretation of the results of the evaluation, including recommendations for frequency and intensity of treatment.

l. A description of functional strengths and limitations, a suggested treatment plan and potential goals to address each identified problem.

m. Signature and credentials of the therapist performing the evaluation.

5. SPEECH PRODUCTION (Fluency): To establish medical necessity, results from a comprehensive assessment in the suspected area of deficit must be reported. (Refer to Section 214.400, part D, paragraphs 9-12 for required frequency of re-evaluations.) A comprehensive assessment for Speech Production (Fluency) disorder must include:
a. Date of evaluation.

b. Child's name and date of birth.

c. Diagnosis specific to therapy.

d. Background information including pertinent medical history; and, if the child is 12 months of age or younger, gestational age. The child should be tested in the child's dominant language; if not, an explanation must be provided in the evaluation.

NOTE: To calculate a child's gestational age, subtract the number of

weeks born before 40 weeks of gestation from the chronological

age. Therefore, a 7-month-old, former 28 week gestational age infant has a corrected age of 4 months according to the following equation:

7 months - [(40 weeks) - 28 weeks) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [(12) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [3]

4 months

e. Results from an assessment specific to the suspected type of speech production disorder, including all relevant scores, quotients and/or indexes, if applicable. (Review Section 214.410 - Accepted Tests for Speech-Language Therapy.)

f. If applicable, test results should be adjusted for prematurity (less than 37 weeks gestation) if the child is 12 months of age or younger, and this should be noted in the evaluation.

g. Oral-peripheral speech mechanism examination, which includes a description of the structure and function of orofacial structures.

h. Formal screening of language skills. Examples include, but are not limited to,

the Fluharty-2, KLST-2, CELF-4 Screen or TTFC.

i. Formal or informal assessment of hearing, articulation and voice skills.

j. An interpretation of the results of the evaluation, including recommendations for frequency and intensity of treatment.

k. A description of functional strengths and limitations, a suggested treatment plan and potential goals to address each identified problem.

l. Signature and credentials of the therapist performing the evaluation.

6. ORAL MOTOR/SWALLOWING/FEEDING: To establish medical necessity, results from a comprehensive assessment in the suspected area of deficit must be reported. (Refer to Section 214.400, part D, paragraphs 9-12 for required frequency of re-evaluations.) A comprehensive assessment for Oral Motor/Swallowing/Feeding disorder must include:
a. Date of evaluation.

b. Child's name and date of birth.

c. Diagnosis specific to therapy.

d. Background information including pertinent medical history; and, if the child is 12 months of age or younger, gestational age. The child should be tested in the child's dominant language; if not, an explanation must be provided in the evaluation.

NOTE: To calculate a child's gestational age, subtract the number of

weeks born before 40 weeks of gestation from the chronological age. Therefore, a 7-month-old, former 28 week gestational age infant has a corrected age of 4 months according to the following equation:

7 months - [(40 weeks) - 28 weeks) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [(12) / 4 weeks]

7 months - [3]

4 months

e. Results from an assessment specific to the suspected type of oral motor/swallowing/feeding disorder, including all relevant scores, quotients and/or indexes, if applicable. (See Section 214.410 - Accepted Tests for Speech-Language Therapy.)

f. If swallowing problems and/or signs of aspiration are noted, then include a statement indicating that a referral for a videofluoroscopic swallow study has been made. g. If applicable, test results should be adjusted for prematurity (less than 37

weeks gestation) if the child is 12 months of age or younger, and this should be noted in the evaluation.

h. Formal or informal assessment of hearing, language, articulation voice and fluency skills.

i. An interpretation of the results of the evaluation, including recommendations for frequency and intensity of treatment.

j. A description of functional strengths and limitations, a suggested treatment plan and potential goals to address each identified problem.

k. Signature and credentials of the therapist performing the evaluation.

D. Interpretation and Eligibility: Ages Birth to 21
1. LANGUAGE: Two language composite or quotient scores (i.e., normed or standalone) in the area of suspected deficit must be reported, with at least one being a norm-referenced, standardized test with good reliability and validity. (Use of two one-word vocabulary tests alone will not be accepted.)
a. For children age birth to three: criterion-referenced tests will be accepted as a second measure for determining eligibility for language therapy.

b. For children age three to 21: criterion-referenced tests will not be accepted as a second measure when determining eligibility for language therapy. (When use of standardized instruments is not appropriate, see Section 214.400, part D, paragraph 8).

c. Age birth to three: Eligibility for language therapy will be based upon a composite or quotient score that is -1.5 standard deviations (SD) below the mean or greater from a norm-referenced, standardized test, with corroborating data from a criterion-referenced measure. When these two measures do not agree, results from a third measure that corroborate the identified deficits are required to support the medical necessity of services.

d. Age three to 21: Eligibility for language therapy will be based upon 2 composite or quotient scores from 2 tests, with at least 1 composite or quotient score on each test that is -1.5 standard deviations (SD) below the mean or greater. When -1.5 SD or greater is not indicated by both of these scores, a third standardized score indicating a -1.5 SD or greater is required to support the medical necessity of services.

2. ARTICULATION AND/OR PHONOLOGY: Two tests and/or procedures must be administered, with at least one being from a norm-referenced, standardized test with good reliability and validity.

Eligibility for articulation and/or phonological therapy will be based upon standard scores (SS) of -1.5 SD or greater below the mean from two tests. When -1.5 SD or greater is not indicated by both of these tests, corroborating data from accepted procedures can be used to support the medical necessity of services (review Section 214.410 - Accepted Tests for Speech-Language Therapy).

3. APRAXIA: Two tests and/or procedures must be administered, with at least one being a norm-referenced, standardized test with good reliability and validity.

Eligibility for apraxia therapy will be based upon standard scores (SS) of -1.5 SD or greater below the mean from two tests. When -1.5 SD or greater is not indicated by both of these tests, corroborating data from a criterion-referenced test and/or accepted procedures can be used to support the medical necessity of services (review Section 214.410 - Accepted Tests for Speech-Language Therapy).

4. VOICE: Due to the high incidence of medical factors that contribute to voice deviations, a medical evaluation is a requirement for eligibility for voice therapy.

Eligibility for voice therapy will be based upon a medical referral for therapy and a functional profile of voice parameters that indicates a moderate or severe deficit/disorder.

5. FLUENCY: At least one norm-referenced, standardized test with good reliability and validity, and at least one supplemental tool to address affective components.

Eligibility for fluency therapy will be based upon an SS of -1.5 SD below the mean or greater on the standardized test.

6. ORAL MOTOR/SWALLOWING/FEEDING: An in-depth, functional profile of oral motor structures and function.

Eligibility for oral-motor/swallowing/feeding therapy will be based upon an in-depth functional profile of oral motor structures and function using a thorough protocol (e.g., checklist, profile) that indicates a moderate or severe deficit or disorder. When moderate or severe aspiration has been confirmed by a videofluoroscopic swallow study, the patient can be treated for pharyngeal dysphagia via the recommendations set forth in the swallow study report.

7. All subtests, components and scores used for eligibility purposes must be reported.

8. When administration of standardized, norm-referenced instruments is inappropriate, the provider must submit an in-depth functional profile of the child's communication abilities. An in-depth functional profile is a detailed narrative or description of a child's communication behaviors that specifically explains and justifies the following:
a. The reason standardized testing is inappropriate for this child,

b. The communication impairment, including specific skills and deficits, and

c. The medical necessity of therapy.

d. Supplemental instruments from Accepted Tests for Speech-Language Therapy may be useful in developing an in-depth functional profile.

9. Children (birth to age 21) receiving services outside of the schools must be evaluated annually.

10. Children (birth to 24 months) in the Child Health Management Services (CHMS) Program must be evaluated every 6 months.

11. Children (age three to 21) receiving services within schools as part of an Individual Program Plan (IPP) or an Individual Education Plan (IEP) must have a full evaluation every three years; however, an annual update of progress is required. "School-related" means the child is of school age, attends public school and receives therapy provided by the school.

12. Children (age three to 21) receiving privately contracted services, apart from or in addition to those within the schools, must have a full evaluation annually.

13. IQ scores are required for all children who are school age and receiving language therapy. Exception: IQ scores are not required for children under ten (10) years of age.

E. Progress Notes
1. Child's name.

2. Date of service.

3. Time in and time out of each therapy session.

4. Objectives addressed (should coincide with the plan of care).

5. A description of specific therapy services provided daily and the activities rendered during each therapy session, along with a form of measurement.

6. Progress notes must be legible.

7. Therapists must sign each date of the entry with a full signature and credentials.

8. Graduate students must have the supervising speech-language pathologist co-sign progress notes.

214.410 Accepted Tests for Speech-Language Therapy

Tests used must be norm-referenced, standardized, age appropriate and specific to the disorder being assessed. The following list of tests is not all-inclusive. When using a test that is not listed below, the provider must include an explanation and justification in the evaluation report to support the use of the chosen test. The Mental Measurement Yearbook (MMY) is the standard reference to determine the reliability and validity of the test(s) administered in the evaluation. Providers should refer to the MMY for additional information regarding specific tests. These definitions are applied to the following lists of accepted tests:

* STANDARDIZED: Tests that are used to determine the presence or absence of deficits; any diagnostic tool or procedure that has a standardized administration and scoring process and compares results to an appropriate normative sample.

* SUPPLEMENTAL: Tests and tools that are used to further document deficits and support standardized results; any non-diagnostic tool that is a screening, a criterion-referenced measure, descriptive in design, a structured probe or an accepted clinical analysis procedure (see next paragraph). Supplemental tests may not replace standardized tests. Exception: A tool(s) from a supplemental list may be used to guide data collection for the purpose of generating an in-depth, functional profile. See Section 214.400, part D, paragraph 8.

* CLINICAL ANALYSIS PROCEDURES: Specific analysis methods used for in-depth examination of clinical data obtained during assessment and used to further document deficits and support standardized results. Clinical analysis procedures may not replace standardized tests. Exception: Procedures from this list may be used to analyze data collected and assist in generating an in-depth, functional profile. (See Section 214.400, part D, paragraph 8.)

* CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS: Clinical observations have a supplemental role in the evaluation process and should always be included. They are especially important when standard scores do not accurately reflect a child's deficits in order to qualify the child for therapy. A detailed narrative or description of the child's communication behaviors (in-depth, functional profile) may constitute the primary justification of medical necessity.

* STANDARDIZED SCORING KEY:

Mild: Scores between 84-78; -1.0 standard deviation

Moderate: Scores between 77-71; -1.5 standard deviations

Severe: Scores between 70-64; -2.0 standard deviations

Profound: Scores of 63 or lower; -2.0+ standard deviations

A. Language Tests - Standardized (Newer editions of currently listed tests are also acceptable.)

Test

Abbreviation

Assessment of Language-Related Functional Activities

ALFA

Assessment of Literacy and Language

ALL

Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function

BRIEF

Behavioural Assess of the Dysexecutive Syndrome for Children

BADS-C

Brief Test of Head Injury

BTHI

Children's Communication Checklist [Diagnostic for pragmatics]

CCC

Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals - Preschool

CELF-P

Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, Fourth Edition

CELF-4

Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, Third Edition

CELF-3

Communication Abilities Diagnostic Test

CADeT

Communication Activities of Daily Living, Second Edition

CADL-2

Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language

CASL

Comprehensive Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test, Second Edition

CREVT-2

Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing

CTOPP

Diagnostic Evaluation of Language Variation - Norm-Referenced

DELV-NR

Emerging Literacy and Language Assessment

ELLA

Expressive Language Test

ELT

Expressive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, 2000 Edition

EOWPVT

Fullerton Language Test for Adolescents, Second Edition

FLTA

Goldman-Fristoe-Woodcock Test of Auditory Discrimination

GFWTAD

HELP Test-Elementary

HELP

Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities, Third Edition

ITPA-3

Language Processing Test - Revised

LPT-R

Language Processing Test, Third Edition

LPT-3

Listening Comprehension Test Adolescent

LCT-A

Listening Comprehension Test, Second Edition

LCT-2

Montgomery Assessment of Vocabulary Acquisition

MAVA

Mullen Scales of Early Learning

MSEL

NOTE: Although the MSEL is an accepted standardized test, it is felt by the Therapy Advisory Council (TAC) that an additional test should be administered.

Oral and Written Language Scales

OWLS

Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Fourth Edition

PPVT-4

Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Third Edition

PPVT-3

Phonological Awareness Test

PAT

Preschool Language Scale, Fourth Edition

PLS-4

Preschool Language Scale, Third Edition

PLS-3

Receptive One-Word Picture Vocabulary Test, Second Edition

ROWPVT-2

Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language Test, Second Edition

REEL-2

Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language Test, Third Edition

REEL-3

Ross Information Processing Assessment - Primary

RIPA-P

Ross Information Processing Assessment, Second Edition

RIPA-2

Scales of Cognitive Ability for Traumatic Brain Injury

SCATBI

Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation, Preschool Edition

SCBE

Social Language Development Test-Adolescent

SLDT-A

Social Language Development Test-Elementary

SLDT-E

Social Responsiveness Scale

SRS

Social Skills Rating System - Preschool & Elementary Level

SSRS-PE

Social Skills Rating System - Secondary Level

SSRS-S

Strong Narrative Assessment Procedure

SNAP

Structured Photographic Expressive Language Test

SPELT-3

Test of Adolescent and Adult Language, Third Edition

TOAL-3

Test of Adolescent /Adult Word Finding

TAWF

Test for Auditory Comprehension of Language, Third Edition

TACL-3

Test of Auditory Perceptual Skills - Revised

TAPS-R

Test of Auditory Perceptual Skills, Third Edition

TAPS-3

Test of Auditory Reasoning and Processing Skills

TARPS

Test of Early Communication and Emerging Language

TECEL

Test of Early Language Development, Third Edition

TELD-3

Test of Language Competence - Expanded Edition

TLC-E

Test of Language Development - Intermediate, Third Edition

TOLD-I:3

Test of Language Development - Primary, Third Edition

TOLD-P:3

Test of Narrative Language

TNL

Test of Phonological Awareness

TOPA

Test of Pragmatic Language

TOPL

Test of Pragmatic Language, Second Edition

TOPL-2

Test of Problem Solving - Adolescent

TOPS-A

Test of Problem Solving - Revised Elementary

TOPS-R

Test of Reading Comprehension, Third Edition

TORC-2

Test of Semantic Skills: Intermediate

TOSS-I

Test of Semantic Skills: Primary

TOSS-P

Test of Word Finding, Second Edition

TWF-2

Test of Word Knowledge

TOWK

Test of Written Language, Third Edition

TWL-3

The Listening Test

Wepman's Auditory Discrimination Test, Second Edition

ADT

Word Test - 2 Adolescent

WT2A

Word Test - 2 Elementary

WT2E

B. Language Tests - Supplemental

Test

Abbreviation

Assessment for Persons Profoundly or Severely Impaired

APPSI

Behavior Analysis Language Instrument

BALI

Birth to Three Checklist

Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-4 Screening Test

CELF-4

Children's Communication Checklist [Language Screener]

CCC-2

CID Early Speech Perception

CID-ESP

CID Speech Perception Evaluation

CID-SPICE

CID Teacher Assessment of Grammatical Structures

CID-TAGS

Communication Matrix

Developmental Sentence Scoring [Lee]

DSS

Differential Screening Test for Processing

DSTP

Evaluating Acquired Skills in Communication - Revised

EASIC-R

Evaluating Acquired Skills in Communication, Third Edition

EASIC-3

Fluharty Preschool Speech and Language Screening Test, Second Edition

Fluharty-2

Functional Communication Profile - Revised

FCP-R

Joliet 3-Minute Preschool Speech and Language Screen

Joliet-P

Joliet 3-Minute Speech and Language Screen - Revised

Joliet-R

Kindergarten Language Screening Test

KLST-2

MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories

CDIs

MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories

CDIs

Nonspeech Test for Receptive/Expressive Language

Nonspeech

Preschool Language Scale - 4 Screening Test

Preverbal Assessment-Intervention Profile

PAIP

Reynell Developmental Language Scales

Reynell

Rossetti Infant-Toddler Language Scale

Rossetti

Screening Test of Adolescent Language

STAL

Social Communication Questionnaire

SCQ

Social-Emotional Evaluation

SEE

Test for Auditory Processing Disorders in Children - Revised

SCAN-C

Token Test for Children, Second Edition

TTFC-2

C. Language - Clinical Analysis Procedures - Language sampling and analysis, which may include the following:

Test

Abbreviation

Mean Length of Utterance

MLU

Type Token Ratio

TTR

Developmental Sentence Score

DSS

Structural analysis (Brown's stages)

Semantic analysis

Discourse analysis

D. Speech Production Tests - Standardized (Newer editions of currently listed tests are also acceptable.)

Test

Abbreviation

Arizona Articulation Proficiency Scale, Third Edition

Arizona-3

Assessment of Intelligibility of Dysarthric Speech

AIDS

Assessment of Phonological Processes - Revised

APPS-R

Bernthal-Bankson Test of Phonology

BBTOP

Clinical Assessment of Articulation and Phonology

CAAP

Diagnostic Evaluation of Articulation and Phonology, U.S. Edition

DEAP

Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation, Second Edition

GFTA-2

Hodson Assessment of Phonological Patterns - Third Edition

HAPP-3

Kaufman Speech Praxis Test

KSPT

Khan-Lewis Phonological Analysis

KLPA-2

Photo Articulation Test, Third Edition

PAT-3

Slosson Articulation Language Test with Phonology

SALT-P

Smit-Hand Articulation and Phonology Evaluation

SHAPE

Structured Photographic Articulation Test II Featuring Dudsberry

SPAT-D II

Stuttering Severity Instrument for Children and Adults

SSI-3

Weiss Comprehensive Articulation Test

WCAT

E. Speech Production Tests - Supplemental

Test

Abbreviation

A-19 Scale for Children Who Stutter

A-19

Apraxia Profile

Assessment of the Child's Experience of Stuttering

ACES

CALMS Rating Scale for School-Age Children Who Stutter

CALMS

Children's Speech Intelligibility Measure

CSIM

CID Phonetic Inventory

CID-PI

CID SPeech INtelligibility Evaluation

CID-SPINE

Communication Attitude Test for Preschool and Kindergarten Children Who Stutter

KiddyCAT

Communication Attitude Test - Revised

CAT-R

Computerized Articulation and Phonology Evaluation System

CAPES

Marshalla Oral Sensorimotor Test

MOST

Modified Erickson Scale of Communication Attitudes

Procedures for the Phonological Analysis of Children's Language [Ingram]

Screening Test for Developmental Apraxia of Speech, Second Edition

STDAS-2

Secord Contextual Articulation Tests

S-CAT

Verbal-Motor Production Assessment for Children

VMPAC

Voice Assessment Protocol for Children and Adults

VAP

F. Speech Production - Clinical Analysis Procedures - Speech sampling and analysis, which may include the following:
1. Debra Beckman's oral-motor assessment procedures

2. Food chaining questionnaire

3. Instrumentation-based voice evaluation

4. Item and replica analysis

5. Percentage of consonants correct

6. Percentage of intelligibility

7. Percentage of phonemes correct

8. Percentage of syllables stuttered

9. Perceptual voice evaluation

10. Phonetic inventory

11. Phonological process analysis

12. Suzanne Evans-Morris oral-motor assessment procedures

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arkansas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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