Part XIII. Client Medical Management Programs
12VAC30-130-800. Definitions.
The following words and terms when used in this part shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Abuse" or "abusive activities" means practices by individuals or providers that are inconsistent with sound fiscal or medical practices and result in unnecessary costs to the Virginia Medicaid program.
"Card-sharing" means (i) the intentional sharing of an individual's eligibility card for use by someone other than the individual for whom it was issued or (ii) unauthorized use of an individual's eligibility card by one or more persons other than the individual for whom it was issued due to the failure of the individual to safeguard the card.
"Client Medical Management Program for individuals" or "CMM Program for individuals" means the individuals' utilization control program designed to prevent abuse and promote improved and cost efficient medical management of essential health care for noninstitutionalized individuals through restriction to one primary care provider or one pharmacy, or any combination of these designated providers.
"Client Medical Management Program for providers" or "CMM Program for providers" means the providers' utilization control program designed to complement the individual abuse and utilization control program in promoting improved and cost efficient medical management of essential health care.
"Controlled substance" means a substance that has a potential for abuse because physical and psychic dependence and tolerance may develop upon repeated administration and that is classified as a Schedules I through V drug.
"Covering provider" means a provider designated by the primary provider to render health care services in the temporary absence of the primary provider.
"DMAS" or "the department" means the Department of Medical Assistance Services.
"Dental services" means covered dental services available to Medicaid or FAMIS eligible children as well as the limited, emergency services available to Medicaid eligible adults.
"Designated physician or pharmacy" means the provider who agrees to be the designated physician or pharmacy from whom the restricted individual must first attempt to seek medical or pharmaceutical services. Other providers may be established as designated physician or pharmacy providers with the approval of DMAS.
"Diagnosis" means (i) the process of determining by examination the nature and circumstances of a diseased condition or injury and (ii) the decision reached from such examination.
"Diagnostic category" means the broad classification of diseases and injuries found in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), which is commonly used by providers in billing for medical services.
"Drug" means a substance or medication intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease as defined by the Virginia Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).
"Duplicative medical care" means two or more practitioners are concurrently treating the same or similar medical problems or conditions falling into the same diagnostic category, but excluding confirmation for diagnosis, evaluation, or assessment.
"Duplicative medications" means more than one prescription of the same drug or more than one drug in the same therapeutic class.
"Education" means providing individuals with information regarding DMAS' identification of inappropriate utilization and what is appropriate access to Medicaid covered services according to the policies and procedures of the CMM Program for individuals and the CMM Program for providers. Education shall not include providing a professional opinion regarding an individual's medical or mental health.
"Eligibility card" means the document issued to each Medicaid individual listing the name and Medicaid number, either the identification or billing number, of the eligible individual, which may be in the form of a plastic card magnetically encoded, allowing electronic access to inquiries for eligibility status.
"Emergency hospital services" means those hospital services that are necessary to treat a medical emergency. Hospital treatment of a medical emergency necessitates the use of the most accessible hospital available that is equipped to furnish the required services.
"EPSDT" means the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program that is federally mandated for eligible individuals younger than 21 years of age.
"Essential medical services" means quality medical services, including but not limited to preventive care, emergency services, maternity care, hospital and physician services, and prescription drug services as set out in the State Plan for Medical Assistance.
"Excessive medical care" means obtaining greater than necessary services such that health risks to the individual or unnecessary costs to the Virginia Medicaid Program may ensue from the accumulation of services or obtaining duplicative services.
"Excessive medications" means obtaining medication in greater than generally acceptable maximum therapeutic dosage regimens or obtaining duplicative medication from one or more practitioners.
"FAMIS" means the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security program as created by Title XXI of the Social Security Act.
"Fraud" means an intentional deception or misrepresentation made by a person with the knowledge that the deception could result in some unauthorized benefit to himself or some other person. It includes any act that constitutes fraud under applicable federal or state laws.
"Health care" means any covered service, including equipment or supplies provided by any person, organization, or entity that participates in the Virginia Medical Assistance Program.
"Home and community-based services" means a range of community services approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) pursuant to § 1915(c) of the Social Security Act to be offered to individuals as an alternative to institutionalization.
"Hospice services" means services, pursuant to § 1905(o) of the Act, that are reasonable and necessary for the palliation or management of a terminal illness if the terminal illness runs its normal course.
"Immunization" means the creation of immunity against a particular disease using a vaccination.
"Individual" means the recipient of Medicaid-covered services that are provided under the authority of Titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act.
"Java-Server Utilization Review System" or "JSURS" means a computer subsystem of the Virginia Medicaid Management Information System (VAMMIS) that collects claims data and computes statistical profiles of individual and provider activity and compares such profiles with the appropriate peer group.
"Managed care organization" or "MCO" means an entity that meets the participation and solvency criteria defined in 42 CFR Part 438 and has an executed agreement with the department to provide services covered under (i) the Medallion II programs, pursuant to 12VAC30-120-360 et seq., or any successor programs and (ii) the FAMIS programs, pursuant to 12VAC30-141, or any successor programs.
"Medical emergency" means the sudden onset of a medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, that in the absence of immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result in (i) placing the individual's health in serious jeopardy, (ii) serious impairment of the individual's bodily functions, or (iii) serious dysfunction of the individual's bodily organs or parts.
"Medically necessary" means services that are reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of an illness, condition, or injury, or to improve the function of a disability, consistent with community standards of medical practice and in accordance with Medicaid or FAMIS policies.
"Noncompliance" means failing to follow Client Medical Management Program policies and procedures, or a pattern of utilization that is inconsistent with sound fiscal or medical practices. Noncompliance includes, but is not limited to, failure to follow a recommended treatment plan or drug regimen; failure to disclose to a provider any treatment or services provided by another provider; or requests for medical services or medications that are not medically necessary.
"Pattern" means a combination of qualities, acts, or tendencies that result in duplication or frequent occurrence.
"Practitioner" means a health care provider licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted by law to distribute, dispense, prescribe, and administer drugs or otherwise treat medical conditions.
"Primary care provider" or "PCP" means a physician or nurse practitioner practicing in accordance with state law who is responsible for supervising, coordinating, and providing initial and primary medical care to patients; for initiating written referrals for specialist care; and for maintaining the continuity of patient care.
"Provider" means a person, organization, or institution with a current, valid license or certification, as applicable, and participation agreement with DMAS who or that will (i) render service to Medicaid individuals who are eligible for covered services, (ii) submit a claim or claims for the rendered services, and (iii) accept as payment in full the amount paid by the Virginia Medicaid or FAMIS program.
"Psychotropic drugs" means drugs that alter the mental activity, behavior, or perception. Examples of such drugs include morphine, barbiturates, hypnotics, antianxiety agents, antidepressants, and antipsychotics.
"Renal dialysis services" means services that aid the process of diffusing blood across a semi-permeable membrane to remove substances that a normal kidney would eliminate, including poisons, drugs, urea, uric acid, and creatinine. Renal dialysis services help to restore electrolytes and correct acid-base imbalances.
"Restrict" or "restriction" means an administrative action imposed on an individual that limits access to specific types of health care services through a designated primary provider or an administrative action imposed on a provider to prohibit participation as a designated primary provider, referral, or covering provider for restricted individuals.
"Social Security Act" or "the Act" means the statute, enacted by the 74th Congress on August 14, 1935, and as amended, that provides for the general welfare by establishing a system of federal old age benefits, and by enabling the states to make more adequate provisions for aged persons, blind persons, dependent children who have disabilities, maternal and child welfare, public health, and the administration of their unemployment compensation laws.
"State Plan for Medical Assistance" or "the Plan" means the comprehensive written statement submitted by the department to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for approval describing the nature and scope of the Virginia Medicaid program and giving assurance that it will be administered in conformity with the requirements, standards, procedures, and conditions for obtaining federal financial participation.
"Therapeutic class" means a group of drugs with similar pharmacologic actions and uses.
"Under-use" or "under-utilization" means an occurrence where there is evidence that an individual did not receive a service or procedure whose benefits exceeded the risks.
"Utilization control" means the control of covered health care services to assure the use of cost efficient, medically necessary or appropriate services.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR460-04-8.3 § 1, eff. January 1, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 10, eff. March 4, 1998; Volume 25, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2009; Volume 32, Issue 4, eff. December 3, 2015.
12VAC30-130-810. Client Medical Management Program for individuals.
A. Purpose. The Client Medical Management Program for individuals is designed to assist and educate Medicaid individuals in appropriately using essential medical and pharmacy services. Individuals who use these services excessively or inappropriately as determined by DMAS may be assigned to a single primary care provider or pharmacy, or both. The CMM Program for individuals also monitors individual compliance with program guidelines.
B. Authority.
1. The Act and federal regulations at 42 CFR 456.3 require the Medicaid agency to implement a statewide surveillance and utilization control program that (i) safeguards against unnecessary or inappropriate use of Medicaid services and against excess payments, (ii) assesses the quality of those services, (iii) provides for the control of the utilization of all services provided under the Plan, and (iv) provides for the control of the utilization of inpatient services.
2. Federal regulations at 42 CFR 431.54(e) allow states to restrict individuals to designated providers when the individuals have utilized services at a frequency or an amount that is not medically necessary in accordance with utilization guidelines established by the state.
C. Identification of participants for inclusion in the CMM Program for individuals. DMAS shall identify individuals for review from computerized reports such as but not limited to individual Java-Server Utilization Review System (JSURS), VAMMIS, Oracle or by written referrals from agencies, health care professionals, or other persons. Certain individuals who are reviewed may not be restricted when evidence indicates that the prescription or medical service utilization patterns, or both, are for appropriate therapy. Only individuals who are excluded, pursuant to 12VAC30-120-370 B, from receiving care from a managed care organization shall be reviewed and evaluated for restriction under the CMM Program for individuals.
D. Individual evaluation for restriction.
1. DMAS shall utilize data as indicated in subsection C of this section to conduct a review of individuals to determine if services are being utilized at a frequency or amount that results in a level of utilization or a pattern of services which is not medically necessary or which are excessive medical services or excessive medications, or both, as established by the department. Evaluation of utilization patterns can include but is not limited to review by the department of medical records or computerized reports, or both, generated by the department reflecting claims submitted for physician visits, drugs or prescriptions, outpatient and emergency room visits, lab or diagnostic procedures, or both, and hospital admissions.
2. Restricted individuals shall have reasonable access to all essential medical services. These restrictions shall not apply to hospital emergency services.
3. Abusive activities shall be investigated and, if appropriate, the individual shall be reviewed for educational intervention or restriction, or both.
a. If DMAS' review determines that an individual's data indicates (i) inappropriate use of Medicaid services, (ii) questionable patterns of utilization, or (iii) unreasonable levels of utilization, the department shall initiate the individual's restriction to either a physician or pharmacy, or both.
b. Once an individual is restricted, the restriction period shall last for 24 months from the enrollment date. During this restriction period, the individual shall be required to use the services of the designated physician or designated pharmacy, or both.
c. The individual may visit physicians or specialists other than those who are designated only by a written referral from the designated PCP.
d. The individual may obtain prescriptions from pharmacies other than the designated pharmacy only (i) in an emergency, (ii) when the designated pharmacy is closed, (iii) when the designated pharmacy does not stock the required medication, or (iv) when the designated pharmacy is not able to obtain the required medication in a timely manner.
E. Determination of restriction. DMAS may restrict an individual if any of the following activities or patterns or levels of utilization are identified. These activities, patterns, or levels of utilization include, for example:
1. Two occurrences of having prescriptions for the same drugs filled two or more times on the same or the subsequent day.
2. Utilizing services from three or more prescribers and three or more dispensing pharmacies in a three-month period.
3. Receiving more than 24 prescriptions in a three-month period.
4. Receiving more than 12 psychotropic prescriptions or more than 12 analgesic prescriptions or more than 12 prescriptions for controlled drugs with potential for abuse in a three-month period.
5. Exceeding the maximum therapeutic dosage of the same drug or multiple drugs in the same therapeutic class, which have been prescribed by two or more practitioners, for a period exceeding four weeks.
6. Receiving two or more drugs, duplicative in nature or potentially addictive (even within acceptable therapeutic levels), dispensed by more than one pharmacy or prescribed by more than one practitioner for a period exceeding four weeks.
7. Receiving narcotic prescriptions from two or more prescribers without supporting diagnoses indicative of use.
8. Utilizing three or more different physicians of the same type or specialty in a three-month period for treatment of the same or similar condition or conditions.
9. Two or more occurrences of seeing two or more physicians of the same type or specialty on the same or subsequent day for the same or similar diagnosis.
10. Duplicative, excessive, or contraindicated utilization of medications, medical supplies, or appliances dispensed by or prescribed by more than one provider for the time period specified by DMAS.
11. Use of emergency hospital services for three or more emergency room visits for nonemergency care during a three-month period.
12. One or more providers recommend restriction for medical management because the recipient has demonstrated inappropriate utilization practices.
13. A pattern of noncompliance that is inconsistent with sound fiscal or medical practices. For example, noncompliance may be characterized by:
a. Failure to disclose to a provider any treatment or services provided by another provider;
b. Failure to follow a drug regimen or other recommended treatment;
c. Requests for medical services or medications that are not medically necessary;
d. Use of hospital emergency services via self-referral for nonacute episodes of care or solely for nonacute management of the medical condition; or
e. Under-use or under-utilization of medically necessary services that results in higher costs for the management of the medical condition.
14. Any documented occurrences of use of the eligibility card to obtain drugs under false pretenses, which includes, but is not limited to the purchase or attempt to purchase drugs via a forged or altered prescription.
15. Any documented occurrences of card-sharing.
16. Any documented occurrences of alteration of the recipient eligibility card.
17. One or more documented occurrences of paying cash for controlled substances, analgesic drugs, or psychotropic drugs in addition to the use of the eligibility card to obtain similar or duplicative controlled substances.
F. Individual restriction procedures.
1. DMAS shall advise affected individuals by written notice of the proposed restriction under the CMM Program for individuals. Written notice shall include an explanation of restriction procedures and the individual's right to appeal the proposed action.
2. The individual shall have the opportunity to select a designated physician or pharmacy, or both. If an individual fails to respond by the date specified in the restriction notice, DMAS shall select a designated physician or pharmacy, or both.
3. DMAS shall not implement restriction if a valid appeal, consistent with 12VAC30-110-210, is noted. (See subsection K of this section.)
4. DMAS shall restrict individuals to their designated physician or pharmacy, or both, for 24 months.
G. Designated providers.
1. A designated physician or pharmacy, or both, must be a provider that is enrolled in Virginia Medicaid and that is unrestricted by DMAS. Providers who are restricted pursuant to 12VAC30-130-820 D and E shall not serve as designated providers for restricted individuals and shall not serve as referral or covering providers for restricted individuals.
2. Physicians or pharmacy providers, or both, who are under the CMM Program for providers shall not serve as designated providers, shall not provide services through referral, and shall not serve as covering providers for restricted individuals.
3. Physicians with practices limited to the delivery of emergency room services may not serve as designated primary providers.
4. Other physicians or pharmacies, or both, may be established as designated providers as needed but only with the approval of DMAS.
H. Provider reimbursement.
1. DMAS shall reimburse for covered medical or pharmaceutical services, or both, and physician services for restricted individuals only when they are provided by the designated providers, or by physicians seen on a written referral from the designated PCP, or in a medical emergency consistent with the methodologies established for such services in the State Plan for Medical Assistance.
2. DMAS shall require a written referral, in accordance with published procedures, from the designated PCP for payment of covered outpatient services by nondesignated practitioners unless there is a medical emergency requiring immediate hospital treatment. Services exempt from these written referral requirements include:
a. Family planning services;
b. Annual or routine vision examinations for individuals under the age of 21 years;
c. Dental services for individuals under the age of 21 years;
d. Emergency services;
e. EPSDT well-child exams/screenings for individuals under the age of 21 years;
f. Immunizations for individuals under the age of 21 years;
g. Home and community-based care services such as private duty nursing or respite services;
h. Renal dialysis services;
i. Expanded prenatal services, including prenatal group education, nutrition services, and homemaker services for pregnant women and care coordination for high-risk pregnant women and infants up to age two years; and
j. Hospice services.
3. Designated primary care providers (PCPs) shall receive a monthly case management fee for each assigned individual.
I. Changes in designated providers.
1. DMAS must give prior approval to all changes of designated providers.
2. The individual or the designated provider may initiate requests for change for the following reasons:
a. Relocation of the individual or provider.
b. Inability of the provider to meet the routine health or pharmaceutical needs of the individual.
c. Breakdown of the individual/provider relationship.
3. If the designated provider initiates the request and the individual does not select a new physician or pharmacy, or both, by established deadlines, DMAS shall select a provider, subject to concurrence from the provider or providers.
4. If DMAS denies the individual's request for a particular physician or pharmacy, or both, the individual shall be notified in writing and given the right to appeal the decision. (See subsection K of this section.)
J. Review of individual restriction status.
1. During the restriction period, DMAS shall monitor an individual's utilization no less frequently than every 12 months and follow up with the individual to promote appropriate utilization patterns.
2. DMAS shall also review an individual's utilization prior to the end of the restriction period to determine restriction termination or continuation.
a. DMAS shall extend utilization control restrictions for 12 months if any one of the following conditions is identified:
(1) The individual's utilization patterns include one or more conditions listed in subsection E of this section.
(2) The individual has not complied with procedures of the CMM Program for individuals resulting in services or medications received from any nondesignated provider, as demonstrated by his submitted claims, without a written referral or in the absence of a medical emergency.
(3) The individual has not complied with procedures of the CMM Program for individuals as demonstrated by a pattern of documented attempts to receive medications from any nondesignated pharmacy (i) in the absence of a medical emergency, (ii) when the designated pharmacy is closed, (iii) when the designated pharmacy does not stock the required medication, or (iv) when the designated pharmacy is unable to obtain the required medication in a timely manner.
(4) One or more of the designated providers recommends continued restriction status because the individual has demonstrated noncompliant behavior which is being controlled by restrictions within the CMM Program for individuals.
(5) Any changes of designated provider have been made due to the breakdown of the individual/provider relationship as a result of the individual's noncompliance.
b. DMAS shall notify the individual and designated physician or pharmacy, or both, in writing of the review decision. If restrictions are continued, written notice shall include the individual's right to appeal the proposed action. (See subsection K of this section.)
c. DMAS shall not implement the continued individual restriction if a valid appeal is noted pending the completion of the appeal action. Should the outcome of the appeal action support implementation of the restriction, the restriction shall be promptly implemented.
K. Individual appeals.
1. Individuals shall have the right to appeal any action, as defined in 42 CFR 431.201, that is taken by DMAS under this part.
2. Individual appeals shall be held pursuant to the provisions of Part I (12VAC30-110-10 et seq.) of 12VAC30-110, Eligibility and Appeals.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR460-04-8.3 § 2, eff. January 1, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 10, eff. March 4, 1998; Volume 32, Issue 4, eff. December 3, 2015.
12VAC30-130-820. Client Medical Management Program for providers.
A. Purpose. The CMM Program for providers is a utilization control program designed to promote improved and cost-efficient medical management of essential health care.
B. Authority.
1. Federal regulations at 42 CFR 456.3 require the Medicaid agency to implement a statewide surveillance and utilization control program and at 42 CFR 455.1 through 455.16 require the Medicaid agency to conduct investigations of abuse by providers.
2. Federal regulations at 42 CFR 431.54(f) allow states to restrict providers' participation in the Medicaid program if the agency finds that providers of items or services under the State Plan have provided items or services at a frequency or amount not medically necessary in accordance with utilization guidelines established by the state or have provided items or services of a quality that do not meet professionally recognized standards of health care.
C. Identification of participants for inclusion in the CMM Program for providers. DMAS shall identify providers for review through computerized reports such as but not limited to JSURS, Oracle, VAMMIS, or by written referrals from agencies, health care professionals, or other individuals.
D. Provider evaluation for restriction.
1. DMAS shall review providers to determine if health care services are being provided at a frequency or amount that is not medically necessary or that are not of a quality to meet professionally recognized standards of health care. Evaluation of utilization patterns can include but is not limited to review by the department of medical records or computerized reports generated by the department reflecting claims submitted for physician visits, drugs or prescriptions, outpatient and emergency room visits, lab or diagnostic procedures, hospital admissions, and referrals.
2. DMAS may restrict providers if any one or more of the following conditions is identified in a significant number or proportion of cases. These conditions include but shall not be limited to the following:
a. Visits billed at a frequency or level exceeding that which is medically necessary;
b. Diagnostic tests billed in excess of what is medically necessary;
c. Diagnostic tests billed which are unrelated to the diagnosis;
d. Medications prescribed or prescriptions dispensed in excess of recommended dosages;
e. Medications prescribed or prescriptions dispensed unrelated to the diagnosis; or
f. The provider's license to practice in any state has been revoked or suspended.
E. Provider restriction procedures.
1. DMAS shall advise affected providers by written notice of the proposed restriction under the CMM Program for providers. Written notice shall include an explanation of the basis for the decision, request for additional documentation, if any, and notification of the provider's right to appeal the proposed action.
2. DMAS shall restrict providers from being the designated provider, a referral provider, or a covering provider for individuals in the CMM Program for providers for 24 months.
3. DMAS shall notify the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the general public of the restriction and its duration.
4. DMAS shall not implement provider restriction if a valid appeal is noted.
F. Review of provider restriction status.
1. DMAS shall review a restricted provider's claims history record prior to the end of the restriction period to determine restriction termination or continuation (See subsection D of this section). DMAS shall extend provider restriction for 24 months in one or more of the following situations:
a. Where abuse by the provider is identified.
b. Where the practices which led to restriction continue.
2. In cases where the provider has submitted an insufficient number of claims during the restriction period to enable DMAS to conduct a claims history review, DMAS shall continue restriction until a reviewable six-month claims history is available for evaluation.
3. If DMAS continues restriction following the review, the provider shall be notified of the agency's proposed action, the basis for the action, and appeal rights. (See subsection E of this section).
4. If the provider continues a pattern of inappropriate health care services, DMAS may make a referral to the appropriate peer review group or regulatory agency for recommendation and action as appropriate.
G. Provider appeals.
1. Providers shall have the right to appeal any action taken by the department under this part pursuant to § 32.1-325.1 of the Code of Virginia.
2. Provider appeals shall be held pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 (§ 2.2-4018 et seq.) of the Administrative Process Act.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR460-04-8.3 § 3, eff. January 1, 1993; amended, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 10, eff. March 4, 1998; Volume 25, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2009; Volume 32, Issue 4, eff. December 3, 2015.