(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(ODMHSAS), along with
corresponding continuing education. BHSA must be supervised by a bachelor's
level individual with a special education certification. BHSA must have
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certification. Six (6)
additional hours of related continuing education are required per
year.