Documents Incorporated by Reference (12VAC30-60)

Chapter 60. Standards Established and Methods Used to Assure High Quality Care

12VAC30-60-5. Applicability of utilization review requirements..

A. These utilization requirements shall apply to all Medicaid covered services unless otherwise specified.

B. Some Medicaid covered services require an approved service authorization prior to service delivery in order for reimbursement to occur. To obtain service authorization, all providers' information supplied to the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) or its contractor shall be fully substantiated throughout individuals' medical records.

C. Providers shall be required to maintain documentation detailing all relevant information about the Medicaid individuals who are in the provider's care. Such documentation shall fully disclose the extent of services provided in order to support the provider's claims for reimbursement for services rendered. This documentation shall be written, signed, and dated at the time the services are rendered unless specified otherwise.

D. Providers shall maintain documentation that demonstrates that individuals providing services have the required qualifications established by DMAS, the Department of Health Professions (DHP), or the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS).

E. DMAS, or its contractor, shall perform reviews of the utilization of all Medicaid covered services pursuant to 42 CFR 440.260 and 42 CFR Part 456.

F. DMAS shall recover expenditures made for covered services when providers' documentation does not comport with standards specified in all applicable regulations.

G. Providers who are determined not to be in compliance with DMAS requirements shall be subject to 12VAC 30-80-130 for the repayment of those overpayments to DMAS.

H. Utilization review requirements specific to community mental health services and residential treatment services, including therapeutic group homes and psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs), as set out in 12VAC30-50-130 and 12VAC30-50-226, shall be as follows:

1. To apply to be reimbursed as a Medicaid provider, the required DBHDS license shall be either a full, annual, triennial, or conditional license.

2. Health care entities with provisional licenses issued by DBHDS shall not be reimbursed as Medicaid providers.

3. Reimbursement shall not be permitted to health care entities that fail to enter into a provider contract with DMAS or its contractor for a service prior to rendering that service or fail to maintain a current Medicaid Provider Enrollment Agreement. If services are provided through a managed care organization (MCO), services shall not be reimbursed unless the provider is also enrolled with the MCO as a Medicaid provider.

4. DMAS or its contractor shall apply a national standardized set of medical necessity criteria in use in the industry or an equivalent standard authorized in advance by DMAS. Services that fail to meet medical necessity criteria shall be denied service authorization.

5. Service providers shall maintain documentation to establish that services are rendered by individuals with appropriate qualifications and credentials, including proof of licensure or registration through DHP if applicable. Qualified mental health professional-eligibles, as defined by DBHDS, shall maintain documentation of supervision and of progress toward the requirements for DHP registration as a qualified mental health professional-child or progress toward the requirements for DHP registration as a qualified mental health professional-adult as those terms are defined by DBHDS.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 9, eff. January 30, 2015; amended Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2019; Volume 36, Issue 6, eff. December 26, 2019.

12VAC30-60-10. Institutional care.

Institutional care will be provided by facilities qualified to participate in Title XVIII and/or Title XIX.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia and Item 396 E 5 of the 1995 Appropriations Act.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 1, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996.

12VAC30-60-20. Utilization control: general acute care hospitals; enrolled providers.

A. The Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) shall not reimburse for services which are not authorized as follows:

1. DMAS shall monitor, consistent with state law, the utilization of all inpatient hospital services. All inpatient hospital stays shall be service authorized prior to admission. Services rendered without such service authorization shall not be covered, except as stated in subdivision 2 of this subsection.

2. If a provider has rendered inpatient services to an individual who later is determined to be Medicaid eligible, the provider shall be responsible for obtaining the required authorization prior to billing DMAS for these services.

3. Regardless of service authorization, DMAS shall review all claims which are suspended for sterilization, hysterectomy, or abortion procedures for the presence of the required federal and state forms prior to reimbursement. If the forms are not attached to the bill and not properly completed, reimbursement for the services rendered will be denied or reduced according to DMAS policy.

B. To determine that the DMAS enrolled hospital providers are in compliance with the regulations governing hospital utilization control found in 42 CFR 456.50 through 456.145, an annual audit will be conducted of each enrolled hospital. This audit can be performed either on site or as a desk audit. The hospital shall make all requested records available and shall provide an appropriate place for the auditors to conduct such review if done on site. The audits shall consist of review of the following:

1. Copy of the general hospital's Utilization Management Plan to determine compliance with the regulations found in 42 CFR 456.100 through 456.145.

2. List of current Utilization Management Committee members and physician advisors to determine that the committee's composition is as prescribed in the 42 CFR 456.105 through 456.106.

3. Verification of Utilization Management Committee meetings since the last annual audit, including dates and lists of attendees to determine that the committee is meeting according to their utilization management meeting requirements.

4. One completed Medical Care Evaluation Study to include objectives of the study, analysis of the results, and actions taken, or recommendations made to determine compliance with the 42 CFR 456.141 through 456.145.

5. Topic of one ongoing Medical Care Evaluation Study to determine the hospital is in compliance with the 42 CFR 456.145.

6. From a list of randomly selected paid claims, the hospital must provide a copy of the physician admission certification and written plan of care for each selected stay to determine the hospital's compliance with the 42 CFR 456.60 and 456.80. If any of the required documentation does not meet the requirements found in the 42 CFR 456.60 through 456.80, reimbursement may be retracted.

7. The hospitals may appeal in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 9-6.14:1 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) any adverse decision resulting from such audits which results in retraction of payment. The appeal must be requested within 30 days of the date of the letter notifying the hospital of the retraction.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 2 A, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996; Volume 14, Issue 7, eff. January 21, 1998; Volume 37, Issue 2, eff. October 30, 2020.

12VAC30-60-21. Utilization control of nonparticipating out-of-state inpatient hospitals.

Inpatient hospital services provided out of state to a Medicaid recipient who is a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall only be reimbursed under any one of the following conditions. It shall be the responsibility of the hospital, when requesting prior authorization for the admission, to demonstrate that one of the following conditions exists in order to obtain authorization. It shall be the responsibility of the admitting physician to adhere to these restrictions. Services provided out of state for circumstances other than these specified exceptions shall not be covered. When, during post payment utilization review, inappropriate or inaccurate payments are determined to have been made for reasons other than those specified herein, DMAS shall recover the inappropriately expended funds.

1. The medical services must be needed because of a medical emergency;

2. Medical services must be needed and the recipient's health would be endangered if he were required to travel to his state of residence;

3. The state determines, on the basis of medical advice, that the needed medical services, or necessary supplementary resources, are more readily available in the other state;

4. It is general practice for recipients in a particular locality to use medical resources in another state.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 6, eff. January 2, 2002.

12VAC30-60-25. Utilization control: freestanding psychiatric hospitals.

A. Psychiatric services in freestanding psychiatric hospitals shall only be covered for eligible persons younger than 21 years of age and older than 64 years of age.

B. DMAS shall monitor, consistent with state law, the utilization of all inpatient freestanding psychiatric hospital services. All inpatient hospital stays shall be preauthorized prior to reimbursement for these services. Services rendered without such prior authorization shall not be covered.

C. All Medicaid services are subject to utilization review and audit. Absence of any of the required documentation may result in denial or retraction of any reimbursement. In each case for which payment for freestanding psychiatric hospital services is made under the State Plan:

1. A physician must certify at the time of admission, or at the time the hospital is notified of an individual's retroactive eligibility status, that the individual requires or required inpatient services in a freestanding psychiatric hospital consistent with 42 CFR 456.160.

2. The physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner acting within the scope of practice as defined by state law and under the supervision of a physician, must recertify at least every 60 days that the individual continues to require inpatient services in a psychiatric hospital.

3. Before admission to a freestanding psychiatric hospital or before authorization for payment, the attending physician or staff physician must perform a medical evaluation of the individual and appropriate professional personnel must make a psychiatric and social evaluation as cited in 42 CFR 456.170.

4. Before admission to a freestanding psychiatric hospital or before authorization for payment, the attending physician or staff physician must establish a written plan of care for each recipient patient as cited in 42 CFR 441.155 and 456.180. The plan shall also include a list of services provided under written contractual arrangement with the freestanding psychiatric hospital (see 12VAC30-50-130) that will be furnished to the patient through the freestanding psychiatric hospital's referral to an employed or contracted provider, including the prescribed frequency of treatment and the circumstances under which such treatment shall be sought.

D. If the eligible individual is 21 years of age or older, then in order to qualify for Medicaid payment for this service, the individual must be at least 65 years of age.

E. If younger than 21 years of age, it shall be documented that the individual requiring admission to a freestanding psychiatric hospital is younger than 21 years of age, that treatment is medically necessary, and that the necessity was identified as a result of an early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) screening. Required patient documentation shall include the following:

1. An EPSDT physician's screening report showing the identification of the need for further psychiatric evaluation and possible treatment.

2. A diagnostic evaluation documenting a current (active) psychiatric disorder based on nationally recognized criteria that supports the treatment recommended. The diagnostic evaluation must be completed prior to admission.

3. For admission to a freestanding psychiatric hospital for psychiatric services resulting from an EPSDT screening, a certification of the need for services as defined in 42 CFR 441.152 by an interdisciplinary team meeting the requirements of 42 CFR 441.153 or 441.156 and the Psychiatric Treatment of Minors Act (§ 16.1-335 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

F. If a Medicaid-eligible individual is admitted in an emergency to a freestanding psychiatric hospital on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or after normal working hours, it shall be the provider's responsibility to obtain the required authorization on the next work day following such an admission.

G. The absence of any of the required documentation described in this subsection shall result in a DMAS denial of the requested preauthorization and coverage of subsequent hospitalization.

H. To determine that the DMAS-enrolled mental hospital providers are in compliance with the regulations governing mental hospital utilization control found in 42 CFR 456.150, an annual audit will be conducted of each enrolled hospital. This audit may be performed either on site or as a desk audit. The hospital shall make all requested records available and shall provide an appropriate place for the auditors to conduct such review if done on site. The audits shall consist of review of the following:

1. Copy of the mental hospital's Utilization Management Plan to determine compliance with the regulations found in 42 CFR 456.200 through 456.245.

2. List of current Utilization Management Committee members and physician advisors to determine that the committee's composition is as prescribed in 42 CFR 456.205 and 456.206.

3. Verification of Utilization Management Committee meetings, including dates and list of attendees, to determine that the committee is meeting according to the committee's utilization management meeting requirements.

4. One completed Medical Care Evaluation Study to include objectives of the study, analysis of the results, and actions taken or recommendations made to determine compliance with 42 CFR 456.241 through 456.245.

5. Topic of one ongoing Medical Care Evaluation Study to determine the hospital is in compliance with 42 CFR 456.245.

6. From a list of randomly selected paid claims, the freestanding psychiatric hospital must provide a copy of the certification for services, a copy of the physician admission certification, a copy of the required medical, psychiatric, and social evaluations, and the written plan of care for each selected stay to determine the hospital's compliance with §§ 16.1-335 through 16.1-348 of the Code of Virginia and 42 CFR 441.152, 456.160, 456.170, 456.180, and 456.181. If any of the required documentation does not support the admission and continued stay, reimbursement may be retracted.

I. The freestanding psychiatric hospital shall not receive a per diem reimbursement for any day that:

1. The initial or comprehensive written plan of care fails to include, within three business days of the initiation of the service provided under arrangement, all services that the individual needs while at the freestanding psychiatric hospital and that will be furnished to the individual through the freestanding psychiatric hospital's referral to an employed or contracted provider of services under arrangement;

2. The comprehensive plan of care fails to include, within three business days of the initiation of the service, the prescribed frequency of such service or includes a frequency that was exceeded;

3. The comprehensive plan of care fails to list the circumstances under which the service provided under arrangement shall be sought;

4. The referral to the service provided under arrangement was not present in the patient's freestanding psychiatric hospital record;

5. The service provided under arrangement was not supported in that provider's records by a documented referral from the freestanding psychiatric hospital;

6. The medical records from the provider of services under arrangement (i.e., admission and discharge documents, treatment plans, progress notes, treatment summaries, and documentation of medical results and findings) (i) were not present in the patient's freestanding psychiatric hospital record or had not been requested in writing by the freestanding psychiatric hospital within seven days of completion of the service or services provided under arrangement or (ii) had been requested in writing within seven days of completion of the service or services, but had not been received within 30 days of the request, and had not been re-requested; or

7. The freestanding psychiatric hospital did not have a fully executed contract or an employee relationship with the provider of services under arrangement in advance of the provision of such services. For emergency services, the freestanding psychiatric hospital shall have a fully executed contract with the emergency services hospital provider prior to submission of the ancillary provider's claim for payment.

J. The provider of services under arrangement shall be required to reimburse DMAS for the cost of any such service billed prior to receiving a referral from the freestanding psychiatric hospital or in excess of the amounts in the referral.

K. The hospitals may appeal in accordance with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) any adverse decision resulting from such audits that results in retraction of payment. The appeal must be requested pursuant to the requirements of 12VAC 30-20-500 through 12VAC 30-20-570.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 7, eff. January 21, 1998; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2017; Volume 40, Issue 26, eff. September 26, 2024.

12VAC30-60-30. Utilization control: Long-stay acute care hospitals (nonmental hospitals).

A. Services for adults in long-stay acute care hospitals. The population to be served includes individuals requiring mechanical ventilation, ongoing intravenous medication or nutrition administration, comprehensive rehabilitative therapy services and individuals with communicable diseases requiring universal or respiratory precautions.

1. Long-stay acute care hospital stays shall be preauthorized by the submission of a completed comprehensive assessment instrument, a physician certification of the need for long-stay acute care hospital placement, and any additional information that justifies the need for intensive services. Physician certification must accompany the request. Periods of care not authorized by DMAS shall not be approved for payment.

2. These individuals must have long-term health conditions requiring close medical supervision, the need for 24-hour licensed nursing care, and the need for specialized services or equipment needs.

3. At a minimum, these individuals must require physician visits at least once weekly, licensed nursing services 24 hours a day (a registered nurse whose sole responsibility is the designated unit must be on the nursing unit 24 hours a day on which the resident resides), and coordinated multidisciplinary team approach to meet needs that must include daily therapeutic leisure activities.

4. In addition, the individual must meet at least one of the following requirements:

a. Must require two out of three of the following rehabilitative services: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-pathology services; each required therapy must be provided daily, five days per week, for a minimum of one hour each day; individual must demonstrate progress in overall rehabilitative plan of care on a monthly basis; or

b. Must require special equipment such as mechanical ventilators, respiratory therapy equipment (that has to be supervised by a licensed nurse or respiratory therapist), monitoring device (respiratory or cardiac), kinetic therapy; or

c. The individual must require at least one of the following special services:

(1) Ongoing administration of intravenous medications or nutrition (i.e. total parenteral nutrition (TPN), antibiotic therapy, narcotic administration, etc.);

(2) Special infection control precautions such as universal or respiratory precaution (this does not include handwashing precautions only);

(3) Dialysis treatment that is provided on-unit (i.e. peritoneal dialysis);

(4) Daily respiratory therapy treatments that must be provided by a licensed nurse or a respiratory therapist;

(5) Extensive wound care requiring debridement, irrigation, packing, etc., more than two times a day (i.e. grade IV decubiti; large surgical wounds that cannot be closed; second- or third-degree burns covering more than 10% of the body); or

(6) Ongoing management of multiple unstable ostomies (a single ostomy does not constitute a requirement for special care) requiring frequent care (i.e. suctioning every hour; stabilization of feeding; stabilization of elimination, etc.).

5. Utilization review shall be performed to determine if services are appropriately provided and to ensure that the services provided to Medicaid recipients are medically necessary and appropriate. Services not specifically documented in the individuals' medical records as having been rendered shall be deemed not to have been rendered and no coverage shall be provided.

6. When the individual no longer meets long-stay acute care hospital criteria or requires services that the facility is unable to provide, then the individual must be discharged.

B. Services to pediatric/adolescent patients in long-stay acute care hospitals. The population to be served shall include children requiring mechanical ventilation, ongoing intravenous medication or nutrition administration, daily dependence on device-based respiratory or nutritional support (tracheostomy, gastrostomy, etc.), comprehensive rehabilitative therapy services, and those children having communicable diseases requiring universal or respiratory precautions (excluding normal childhood diseases such as chicken pox, measles, strep throat, etc.) and with terminal illnesses.

1. Long-stay acute care hospital stays shall be preauthorized by the submission of a completed comprehensive assessment instrument, a physician certification of the need for long-stay acute care, and any additional information that justifies the need for intensive services. Periods of care not authorized by DMAS shall not be approved for payment.

2. The child must have ongoing health conditions requiring close medical supervision, the need for 24-hour licensed nursing supervision, and the need for specialized services or equipment. The recipient must be age 21 or under.

3. The child must minimally require physician visits at least once weekly, licensed nursing services 24 hours a day (a registered nurse whose sole responsibility is that nursing unit must be on the unit 24 hours a day on which the child is residing), and a coordinated multidisciplinary team approach to meet needs.

4. In addition, the child must meet one of the following requirements:

a. Must require two out of three of the following physical rehabilitative services: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-pathology services; each required therapy must be provided daily, five days per week, for a minimum of 45 minutes per day; child must demonstrate progress in overall rehabilitative plan of care on a monthly basis; or

b. Must require special equipment such as mechanical ventilators, respiratory therapy equipment (that has to be supervised by licensed nurse or respiratory therapist), monitoring device (respiratory or cardiac), kinetic therapy, etc.; or

c. Must require at least one of the following special services:

(1) Ongoing administration of intravenous medications or nutrition (i.e. total parenteral nutrition (TPN), antibiotic therapy, narcotic administration, etc.);

(2) Special infection control precautions such as universal or respiratory precaution (this does not include handwashing precautions only or isolation for normal childhood diseases such as measles, chicken pox, strep throat, etc.);

(3) Dialysis treatment that is provided within the facility (i.e. peritoneal dialysis);

(4) Daily respiratory therapy treatments that must be provided by a licensed nurse or a respiratory therapist;

(5) Extensive wound care requiring debridement, irrigation, packing, etc. more than two times a day (i.e. grade IV decubiti; large surgical wounds that cannot be closed; second- or third-degree burns covering more than 10% of the body);

(6) Ostomy care requiring services by a licensed nurse;

(7) Services required for terminal care.

5. In addition, the long-stay acute care hospital must provide for the educational and habilitative needs of the child. These services must be age appropriate, must meet state educational requirements, and must be appropriate to the child's cognitive level. Services must also be individualized to meet the child's specific needs and must be provided in an organized manner that encourages the child's participation. Services may include, but are not limited to, school, active treatment for mental retardation, habilitative therapies, social skills, and leisure activities. Therapeutic leisure activities must be provided daily.

6. Utilization review shall be performed to determine if services are appropriately provided and to ensure that the services provided to Medicaid recipients are medically necessary and appropriate. Services not specifically documented in the patient's medical record as having been rendered shall be deemed not to have been rendered and no coverage shall be provided.

7. When the resident no longer meets long-stay hospital criteria or requires services that the facility is unable to provide, the resident must be discharged.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia and Item 396 E 5 of the 1995 Appropriations Act.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 2 B, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996.

12VAC30-60-40. Utilization control: Nursing facilities.

A. Long-term care of residents in nursing facilities will be provided in accordance with federal law using practices and procedures that are based on the resident's medical and social needs and requirements.

B. Nursing facilities must conduct initially and periodically a comprehensive, accurate, standardized, reproducible assessment of each resident's functional capacity. This assessment must be conducted no later than 14 days after the date of admission and promptly after a significant change in the resident's physical or mental condition. Each resident must be reviewed at least quarterly, and a complete assessment conducted at least annually.

C. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall periodically conduct a validation survey of the assessments completed by nursing facilities to determine that services provided to the residents are medically necessary and that needed services are provided. The survey will be composed of a sample of Medicaid residents and will include review of both current and closed medical records.

D. Nursing facilities must submit to the Department of Medical Assistance Services resident assessment information at least every six months for utilization review. If an assessment completed by the nursing facility does not accurately reflect a resident's capability to perform activities of daily living and significant impairments in functional capacity, then reimbursement to nursing facilities may be adjusted during the next quarter's reimbursement review. Any individual who willfully and knowingly certifies or causes another individual to certify a material and false statement in a resident assessment is subject to civil money penalties.

E. In order for reimbursement to be made to the nursing facility for a recipient's care, the recipient must meet nursing facility criteria as described in 12VAC 30-60-300. In order for the additional $10 per day reimbursement to be made to the nursing facility for a recipient requiring a specialized treatment bed, the recipient must meet criteria as described in 12VAC 30-60-350. Nursing facilities must obtain prior authorization for the reimbursement. DMAS shall provide the additional $10 per day reimbursement for recipients meeting criteria for no more than 246 days annually. Nursing facilities may receive the reimbursement for up to 82 days per new occurrence of a Stage IV ulcer. There must be at least 30 days between each reimbursement period. Limits are per recipient, regardless of the number of providers rendering services. Nursing facilities are not eligible to receive this reimbursement for recipients enrolled in the specialized care program.

In order for reimbursement to be made to the nursing facility for a recipient requiring specialized care, the recipient must meet specialized care criteria as described in 12VAC 30-60-320 or 12VAC 30-60-340. Reimbursement for specialized care must be preauthorized by the Department of Medical Assistance Services. In addition, reimbursement to nursing facilities for residents requiring specialized care will only be made on a contractual basis. Further specialized care services requirements are set forth in this section.

In each case for which payment for nursing facility services is made under the State Plan, a physician must recommend at the time of admission, or if later, the time at which the individual applies for medical assistance under the State Plan, that the individual requires nursing facility care.

F. For nursing facilities, a physician must approve a recommendation that an individual be admitted to a facility. The resident must be seen by a physician at least once every 30 days for the first 90 days after admission, and at least once every 60 days thereafter. At the option of the physician, required visits after the initial visit may alternate between personal visits by the physician and visits by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner.

G. When the resident no longer meets nursing facility criteria or requires services that the nursing facility is unable to provide, then the resident must be discharged.

H. Specialized care services.

1. Providers must be nursing facilities certified by the Division of Licensure and Certification, Virginia Department of Health, and must have a current signed participation agreement with the Department of Medical Assistance Services to provide nursing facility care. Providers must agree to provide care to at least four residents who meet the specialized care criteria for children or adolescents or adults.

2. Providers must be able to provide the following specialized services to Medicaid specialized care recipients:

a. Physician visits at least once weekly (after initial physician visit, subsequent visits may alternate between physician and physician assistant or nurse practitioner);

b. Skilled nursing services by a registered nurse available 24 hours a day;

c. Coordinated multidisciplinary team approach to meet the needs of the resident;

d. Infection control;

e. For residents younger than 21 years of age who require two of three rehabilitative services (physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology services), therapy services must be provided at a minimum of 90 minutes each day, five days per week;

f. Ancillary services related to a plan of care;

g. Respiratory therapy services by a board-certified therapist (for ventilator patients, these services must be available 24 hours per day);

h. Psychology services by a licensed clinical psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, or licensed clinical nurse specialist-psychiatric related to a plan of care;

i. Necessary durable medical equipment and supplies as required by the plan of care;

j. Nutritional elements as required;

k. A plan to ensure that specialized care residents have the same opportunity to participate in integrated nursing facility activities as other residents;

l. Nonemergency transportation;

m. Discharge planning; and

n. Family or caregiver training.

3. Providers must coordinate with appropriate state and local agencies for educational and habilitative needs for Medicaid specialized care recipients who are younger than 21 years of age.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 2 C, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996; Volume 14, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 1998; Volume 15, Issue 6, eff. January 6, 1999; Volume 20, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2004; Volume 22, Issue 22, eff. August 9, 2006; Volume 40, Issue 26, eff. September 26, 2024.

12VAC30-60-50. Utilization control: Intermediate care facilities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and institutions for mental disease.

A. "Institution for mental disease" or "IMD" means the same as that term is defined in § 1905(i) of the Social Security Act.

B. With respect to each Medicaid-eligible resident in an intermediate care facility for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ICF/ID) or an IMD in Virginia, a written plan of care must be developed prior to admission to or authorization of benefits in such facility, and a regular program of independent professional review, including a medical evaluation, shall be completed periodically for such services. The purpose of the review is to determine the adequacy of the services available to meet the resident's current health needs and promote the resident's maximum physical well-being; the necessity and desirability of the resident's continued placement in the facility; and the feasibility of meeting the resident's health care needs through alternative institutional or noninstitutional services. Long-term care of residents in such facilities will be provided in accordance with federal law that is based on the resident's medical and social needs and requirements.

C. With respect to each ICF/ID or IMD, periodic onsite inspections of the care being provided to each person receiving medical assistance, by one or more independent professional review teams composed of a physician or registered nurse and other appropriate health and social service personnel, shall be conducted. The review shall include, with respect to each recipient, a determination of the adequacy of the services available to meet the resident's current health needs and promote the resident's maximum physical well-being, the necessity and desirability of continued placement in the facility, and the feasibility of meeting the resident's health care needs through alternative institutional or noninstitutional services. Full reports shall be made to the state agency by the review team of the findings of each inspection, together with any recommendations.

D. In order for reimbursement to be made to a facility for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the resident must meet criteria for placement in such facility as described in 12VAC 30-60-360 and the facility must provide active treatment for intellectual or developmental disabilities.

E. In each case for which payment for nursing facility services for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities or institution for mental disease services is made under the State Plan:

1. A certificate of need shall be completed by an independent certification team according to the requirements of 12VAC30-50-130 D 5. Recertification shall occur at least every 60 calendar days by a physician or by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner acting within their scope of practice as defined by state law and under the supervision of a physician. The certification must be made at the time of admission or, if an individual applies for assistance while in the facility, before the Medicaid agency authorizes payment; and

2. A physician, or physician assistant or nurse practitioner acting within the scope of the practice as defined by state law and under the supervision of a physician, must recertify for each applicant at least every 60 calendar days that services are needed in a facility for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities or an institution for mental disease.

F. When a resident no longer meets criteria for facilities for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities or for an institution for mental disease or no longer requires active treatment in a facility for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, then the resident shall be discharged.

G. (Reserved.)

H. All services provided in an IMD shall be provided with the applicable provider agreement and all documents referenced therein.

I. Psychiatric services in IMDs shall only be covered for eligible individuals younger than 21 years of age.

J. IMD services provided without service authorization from DMAS or its contractor shall not be covered.

K. Absence of any of the required IMD documentation shall result in denial or retraction of reimbursement.

L. In each case for which payment for IMD services is made under the State Plan:

1. A physician shall certify at the time of admission or at the time the IMD is notified of an individual's retroactive eligibility status that the individual requires or required inpatient services in an IMD consistent with 42 CFR 456.160.

2. The physician, or physician assistant or nurse practitioner acting within the scope of practice as defined by state law and under the supervision of a physician, shall recertify at least every 60 calendar days that the individual continues to require inpatient services in an IMD.

3. Before admission to an IMD or before authorization for payment, the attending physician or staff physician shall perform a medical evaluation of the individual, and appropriate personnel shall complete a psychiatric and social evaluation as described in 42 CFR 456.170.

4. Before admission to an IMD or before authorization for payment, the attending physician or staff physician shall establish a written plan of care for each individual as described in 42 CFR 441.155 and 42 CFR 456.180.

M. It shall be documented for each individual requiring admission to an IMD who is younger than 21 years of age that treatment is medically necessary and that the necessity was identified as a result of an independent certification of need team review. Required documentation shall include the following:

1. Diagnosis based on nationally recognized criteria and based on an evaluation by a psychiatrist completed within 30 calendar days of admission or, if the diagnosis is confirmed, in writing, by a previous evaluation completed within one year within admission.

2. A certification of the need for services as defined in 42 CFR 441.152 by an interdisciplinary team meeting the requirements of 42 CFR 441.153 or 42 CFR 441.156 and the Psychiatric Treatment of Minors Act (§ 16.1-335 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

N. The use of seclusion and restraint in an IMD shall be in accordance with 42 CFR 483.350 through 42 CFR 483.376. Each use of a seclusion or restraint, as defined in 42 CFR 483.350 through 42 CFR 483.376, shall be reported by the service provider to DMAS or its contractor within one calendar day of the incident.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia and Item 396 E 5 of the 1995 Appropriations Act.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 2 D, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996; Volume 35, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2019; Volume 40, Issue 26, eff. September 26, 2024.

12VAC30-60-60. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 2 E, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 9, Issue 19, eff. July 15, 1993; Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 7, eff. January 21, 1998.

12VAC30-60-61. Services related to the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSDT); community mental health and behavioral therapy services for youth.

A. Definitions. The following words and terms when used in this section shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"At risk" means one or more of the following: (i) within the two weeks before the, comprehensive needs assessment, the individual shall be screened by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP), licensed mental health professional-resident (LMHP-R), licensed mental health professional--resident in psychology LMHP-RP, or licensed mental health professional-supervisee (LMHP-S) for escalating behaviors that have put either the individual or others at immediate risk of physical injury; (ii) the parent or guardian is unable to manage the individual's mental, behavioral, or emotional problems in the home and is actively, within the past two to four weeks, seeking an out-of-home placement; (iii) a representative of either a juvenile justice agency, a department of social services (either the state agency or local agency), a community services board/behavioral health authority, the Department of Education, or an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S, and who is neither an employee of nor consultant to the intensive in-home (IIH) services or therapeutic day treatment (TDT) provider, has recommended an out-of-home placement absent an immediate change of behaviors and when unsuccessful mental health services are evident; (iv) the individual has a history of unsuccessful services (either crisis intervention, crisis stabilization, outpatient psychotherapy, outpatient substance abuse services, or mental health skill-building) within the past 30 calendar days; or (v) the treatment team or family assessment planning team (FAPT) recommends IIH services or TDT for an individual currently who is either: (a) transitioning out of psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) services, (b) transitioning out of a therapeutic group home, (c) transitioning out of acute psychiatric hospitalization, or (d) transitioning between foster homes, mental health case management, crisis intervention, crisis stabilization, outpatient psychotherapy, or outpatient substance abuse services.

"Comprehensive needs assessment" means the same as defined in 12VAC30-50-130.

"Licensed assistant behavior analyst" means a person who has met the licensing requirements of 18VAC85-150 and holds a valid license issued by the Department of Health Professions.

"Licensed behavior analyst" means a person who has met the licensing requirements of 18VAC85-150 and holds a valid license issued by the Department of Health Professions.

"Out-of-home placement" means placement in one or more of the following: (i) therapeutic group home; (ii) regular foster home if the individual is currently residing with the individual's biological family and, due to his behavior problems, is at risk of being placed in the custody of the local department of social services; (iii) treatment foster care if the individual is currently residing with the individual's biological family or a regular foster care family and, due to the individual's behavioral problems, is at risk of removal to a higher level of care; (iv) psychiatric residential treatment facility; (v) emergency shelter for the individual only due either to his mental health or behavior or both; (vi) psychiatric hospitalization; or (vii) juvenile justice system or incarceration.

"Qualified paraprofessional in mental health" or "QPPMH" means the same as the term is defined in 12VAC35-105-20.

"Unsuccessful services" means, as measured by ongoing behavioral, mental, or physical distress, that the services did not treat or resolve the individual's mental health or behavioral issues.

"Youth" means an individual younger than 21 years of age who is receiving community mental health or behavioral therapy services.

B. Utilization review requirements for all services in this section.

1. The services described in this section shall be rendered consistent with the definitions, service limits, and requirements described in this section and in 12VAC30-50-130.

2. Providers shall be required to refund payments made by Medicaid if they fail to maintain adequate documentation to support billed activities.

3. Individual service plans (ISPs) shall meet all of the requirements set forth in 12VAC 30-60-143 B 8.

4. The provider shall meet the federal and state requirements for administrative and financial management capacity. The provider shall obtain, prior to delivery of services, and shall maintain and update periodically as the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) or its contractor requires, a current provider enrollment agreement for each Medicaid service the provider offers. DMAS shall not reimburse providers who do not enter into a provider enrollment agreement for a service prior to offering that service.

5. The provider shall document and maintain individual case records in accordance with state and federal requirements.

6. The provider shall ensure eligible individuals have free choice of providers of mental health services and other medical care under the individual service plan.

7. The comprehensive needs assessment shall include documented history of the severity, intensity, and duration of mental health care problems and issues. all of the following elements: (i) the presenting issue or reason for referral; (ii) mental health history or history of hospitalizations; (iii) previous interventions by providers and timeframes and response to treatment; (iv) medical profile; (v) developmental history including history of abuse, if appropriate; (vi) educational or vocational status; (vii) current living situation and family history and relationships; (viii) legal status, (ix) drug and alcohol profile; (x) resources and strengths; (xi) mental status exam and profile; (xii) diagnosis; (xiii) professional summary and clinical formulation; (xiv) recommended care and treatment goals; and (xv) the dated signature of the LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, or LMHP-RP.

8. Progress notes shall include, at a minimum, the name of the service rendered, the date of the service rendered, the signature and credentials of the person who rendered the service, the setting in which the service was rendered, and the amount of time or units or hours required to deliver the service. The content of each progress note shall corroborate the units or hours billed. Progress notes shall be documented for each service that is billed.

C. Utilization review of intensive in-home (IIH) services for youth.

1. The service definition for intensive in-home (IIH) services is contained in 12VAC30-50-130.

2. Youth qualifying for this service shall demonstrate a clinical necessity for the service arising from mental, behavioral or emotional illness that results in significant functional impairments in major life activities. Youth must meet at least two of the following criteria on a continuing or intermittent basis to be authorized for these services:

a. Have difficulty in establishing or maintaining normal interpersonal relationships to such a degree that they are at risk of hospitalization or out-of-home placement because of conflicts with family or community.

b. Exhibit such inappropriate behavior that documented, repeated interventions by the mental health, social services or judicial system are or have been necessary.

c. Exhibit difficulty in cognitive ability such that they are unable to recognize personal danger or recognize significantly inappropriate social behavior.

3. Prior to admission, an appropriate comprehensive needs assessment shall be conducted by the licensed mental health professional (LMHP), LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, or LMHP-RP, documenting the youth's diagnosis and describing how service needs can best be met through intervention provided typically but not solely in the youth's residence. The comprehensive needs assessment shall describe how the youth's clinical needs put the youth at risk of out-of-home placement and shall be conducted face-to-face. Comprehensive needs assessments shall meet all of the requirements set forth in 12VAC 30-60-143 B 7.

4. An individual service plan (ISP) shall be fully completed, signed, and dated by either an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, a qualified mental health professional-child (QMHP-C), or a qualified mental health professional-eligible (QMHP-E) and the youth and youth's parent or guardian within 30 calendar days of initiation of services.

5. DMAS shall not reimburse for dates of services in which the progress notes are not individualized to the specific youth. Duplicated progress notes shall not constitute the required individualized progress notes. Each progress note shall demonstrate unique differences particular to the youth's circumstances, treatment, and progress. Claim payments shall be retracted for services that are supported by documentation that does not demonstrate unique differences particular to the youth.

6. Services shall be directed toward the treatment of the eligible youth and delivered primarily in the family's residence with the youth present. As clinically indicated, the services may be rendered in the community if there is documentation, on that date of service, of the necessity of providing services in the community. The documentation shall describe how the alternative community service location supports the identified clinical needs of the youth and describe how it facilitates the implementation of the ISP. For services provided outside of the home, there shall be documentation reflecting therapeutic treatment as set forth in the ISP provided for that date of service in the appropriately signed and dated progress notes.

7. These services shall be provided when the clinical needs of the youth put youth at risk for out-of-home placement, as these terms are defined in this section:

a. When services that are far more intensive than outpatient clinic care are required to stabilize the youth in the family situation; or

b. When the youth's residence as the setting for services is more likely to be successful than a clinic.

The comprehensive needs assessment shall describe how the youth meets either subdivision 7 a or 7 b of this subsection.

8. Services shall not be provided if the youth is no longer a resident of the home.

9. Services shall also be used to facilitate the transition to home from an out-of-home placement when services more intensive than outpatient clinic care are required for the transition to be successful. The youth and responsible parent or guardian shall be available and in agreement to participate in the transition.

10. At least one parent or legal guardian or responsible adult with whom the youth is living must be willing to participate in the intensive in-home services with the goal of keeping the individual youth with the family. In the instance of this service, a responsible adult shall be an adult who lives in the same household with the youth and is responsible for engaging in therapy and service-related activities to benefit the youth.

11. The enrolled provider shall be licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) as a provider of intensive in-home services. The provider shall also have a provider enrollment agreement with DMAS or its contractor in effect prior to the delivery of this service that indicates that the provider will offer intensive in-home services.

12. Services must only be provided by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, QMHP-C, or QMHP-E. Reimbursement shall not be provided for such services when they have been rendered by a QPPMH.

13. The billing unit for intensive in-home service shall be one hour. Although the pattern of service delivery may vary, intensive in-home services is an intensive service provided to youth for whom there is an ISP in effect which demonstrates the need for a minimum of three hours a week of intensive in-home service, and includes a plan for service provision of a minimum of three hours of service delivery per youth or family per week in the initial phase of treatment. It is expected that the pattern of service provision may show more intensive services and more frequent contact with the youth and family initially with a lessening or tapering off of intensity toward the latter weeks of service. Service plans shall incorporate an individualized discharge plan that describes transition from intensive in-home to less intensive or nonhome based services.

14. The ISP, as defined in 12VAC30-50-226, shall be updated as the youth's needs and progress changes and signed by either the parent or legal guardian and the youth. Documentation shall be provided if the youth, who is a minor child, is unable or unwilling to sign the ISP. If there is a lapse in services that is greater than 31 consecutive calendar days without any communications from family members or legal guardian or the youth with the provider, the provider shall discharge the youth.

15. The provider shall ensure that the maximum staff-to-caseload ratio fully meets the needs of the youth.

16. If an youth receiving services is also receiving case management services pursuant to 12VAC30-50-420 or 12VAC30-50-430, the provider shall contact the case manager and provide notification of the provision of services. In addition, the provider shall send monthly updates to the case manager on the youth's status. A discharge summary shall be sent to the case manager within 30 calendar days of the service discontinuation date. Providers and case managers who are using the same electronic health record for the youth shall meet requirements for delivery of the notification, monthly updates, and discharge summary upon entry of the information in the electronic health records.

17. Emergency assistance shall be available 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

18. Providers shall comply with DMAS marketing requirements at 12VAC 30-130-2000. Providers that DMAS determines violate these marketing requirements shall be terminated as a Medicaid provider pursuant to 12VAC 30-130-2000 E.

19. The provider shall determine who the primary care provider is and, upon receiving written consent from the youth or guardian, shall inform the primary care provider of the youth's receipt of IIH services. The documentation shall include who was contacted, when the contact occurred, and what information was transmitted.

D. Utilization review of therapeutic day treatment for youth.

1. The service definition for therapeutic day treatment (TDT) for youth is contained in 12VAC30-50-130.

2. Therapeutic day treatment is appropriate for youth who meet one of the following criteria:

a. Youth who require year-round treatment in order to sustain behavior or emotional gains.

b. Youth whose behavior and emotional problems are so severe they cannot be handled in self-contained or resource emotionally disturbed (ED) classrooms without:

(1) This programming during the school day; or

(2) This programming to supplement the school day or school year.

c. Youth who would otherwise be placed on homebound instruction because of severe emotional or behavior problems that interfere with learning.

d. Youth who (i) have deficits in social skills, peer relations or dealing with authority; (ii) are hyperactive; (iii) have poor impulse control; or (iv) are extremely depressed or marginally connected with reality.

e. Children in preschool enrichment and early intervention programs when the children's emotional or behavioral problems are so severe that the children cannot function in these programs without additional services.

3. The comprehensive needs assessment shall document the youth's behavior and describe how the youth meets these specific service criteria in subdivision 2 of this subsection.

4. Prior to admission to this service, a comprehensive needs assessment shall be conducted by an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S who shall make and document the diagnosis. Comprehensive needs assessments shall meet all of the requirements set forth in 12VAC 30-60-143 B 7.

5. An ISP shall be fully completed, signed, and dated by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, a QMHP-C, or a QMHP-E and by the youth or the parent or guardian within 30 calendar days of initiation of services. Individual progress notes shall be required for each contact with the youth and shall meet all of the requirements as defined in this section.

6. Such services shall not duplicate those services provided by the school.

7. The youth qualifying for this service shall demonstrate a clinical necessity for the service arising from a condition due to mental, behavioral, or emotional illness that results in significant functional impairments in major life activities. The youth shall meet at least two of the following criteria on a continuing or intermittent basis:

b. Exhibit such inappropriate behavior that documented, repeated interventions by the mental health, social services, or judicial system are or have been necessary.

c. Exhibit difficulty in cognitive ability such that they are unable to recognize personal danger or recognize significantly inappropriate social behavior.

8. The enrolled provider of therapeutic day treatment for youth services shall be licensed by DBHDS to provide day support services. The provider shall also have a provider enrollment agreement in effect with DMAS prior to the delivery of this service that indicates that the provider offers therapeutic day treatment services for youth.

9. Services shall be provided by an LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, LMHP-RP, a QMHP-C, or a QMHP-E.

10. The minimum staff-to-individual ratio as defined by DBHDS licensing requirements shall ensure that adequate staff is available to meet the needs of the youth identified on the ISP.

11. The program shall operate a minimum of two hours per day and may offer flexible program hours (i.e., before or after school or during the summer). One unit of service shall be defined as a minimum of two hours but less than three hours in a given day. Two units of service shall be defined as a minimum of three but less than five hours in a given day. Three units of service shall be defined as five or more hours of service in a given day.

12. Time required for academic instruction when no treatment activity is going on shall not be included in the billing unit.

13. If a youth receiving services is also receiving case management services pursuant to 12VAC30-50-420 or 12VAC30-50-430, the provider shall collaborate with the case manager and provide notification of the provision of services. In addition, the provider shall send monthly updates to the case manager on the youth's status. A discharge summary shall be sent to the case manager within 30 calendar days of the service discontinuation date. Providers and case managers using the same electronic health record for the youth shall meet requirements for delivery of the notification, monthly updates, and discharge summary upon entry of this documentation into the electronic health record.

14. The provider shall determine who the primary care provider is and, upon receiving written consent from the youth or the youth's parent or legal guardian, shall inform the primary care provider of the youth's receipt of community mental health rehabilitative services. The documentation shall include who was contacted, when the contact occurred, and what information was transmitted. The parent or legal guardian shall be required to give written consent that this provider has permission to inform the primary care provider of the youth's receipt of community mental health rehabilitative services.

15. Providers shall comply with DMAS marketing requirements as set out in 12VAC 30-130-2000. Providers that DMAS determines have violated these marketing requirements shall be terminated as a Medicaid provider pursuant to 12VAC 30-130-2000 E.

16. If there is a lapse in services greater than 31 consecutive calendar days, the provider shall discharge the youth.

E. Utilization review of therapeutic group home services.

1. The staff ratio must be approved by the Office of Licensure at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The clinical director shall be a licensed mental health professional. The caseload of the clinical director must not exceed 16 individuals including all sites for which the same clinical director is responsible.

2. The program director shall be full time and meet the requirements for a program director as defined in 12VAC35-46-350.

3. For Medicaid reimbursement to be approved, at least 50% of the provider's direct care staff at the therapeutic group home shall meet DBHDS qualified paraprofessional in mental health (QPPMH) criteria, as defined in 12VAC35-105-20. The therapeutic group home shall coordinate services with other providers.

4. All therapeutic group home services shall be authorized prior to reimbursement for these services. Services rendered without such prior authorization shall not be covered.

5. Services must be provided in accordance with a comprehensive individual plan of care as defined in 12VAC30-50-130, which shall be fully completed within 30 calendar days of authorization for Medicaid reimbursement.

6. Prior to admission, an assessment shall be performed using all elements specified by DMAS in 12VAC30-50-130.

7. Such assessments shall be performed by an LMHP, an LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, or LMHP-RP.

8. If a youth receiving therapeutic group home services is also receiving case management services, the therapeutic group home services provider must collaborate with the care coordinator/case manager by notifying him of the provision of therapeutic group home services and the therapeutic group home services provider shall send monthly updates on the youth's treatment status.

9. The provider shall determine who the primary care provider is and shall inform the primary care provider of the youth's receipt of therapeutic group home services. The documentation shall include who was contacted, when the contact occurred, and what information was transmitted.

F. Utilization review of behavioral therapy services for youth.

1. In order for Medicaid to cover behavioral therapy services, the provider shall be enrolled with DMAS or its contractor as a Medicaid provider. The provider enrollment agreement shall be in effect prior to the delivery of services for Medicaid reimbursement.

2. Behavioral therapy services shall be covered for youth when recommended by the youth's primary care provider, licensed physician, licensed physician assistant, or licensed nurse practitioner and determined by DMAS or its contractor to be medically necessary to correct or ameliorate significant impairments in major life activities that have resulted from either developmental, behavioral, or mental disabilities.

3. Behavioral therapy services require service authorization. Services shall be authorized only when eligibility and medical necessity criteria are met.

4. Prior to treatment, an appropriate behavioral therapy assessment shall be conducted, documented, signed, and dated by a licensed behavior analyst (LBA), licensed assistant behavior analyst (LABA), LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S, acting within the scope of his practice, documenting the youth's diagnosis (including a description of the behaviors targeted for treatment with their frequency, duration, and intensity) and describing how service needs can best be met through behavioral therapy. The behavioral therapy assessment shall be conducted face-to-face in the youth's residence with the youth and parent or guardian.

5. The ISP shall be developed upon admission to the service and reviewed within 30 days of admission to the service to ensure that all treatment goals are reflective of the youth's clinical needs and shall describe each treatment goal, targeted behavior, one or more measurable objectives for each targeted behavior, the behavioral modification strategy to be used to manage each targeted behavior, the plan for parent or caregiver training, care coordination, and the measurement and data collection methods to be used for each targeted behavior in the ISP. The ISP as defined in 12VAC30-50-226 shall be fully completed, signed, and dated by an LBA, LABA, LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S. Every three months, the LBA, LABA, LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S shall review the ISP, modify the ISP as appropriate, and update the ISP, and all of these activities shall occur with the youth in a manner in which the youth may participate in the process. The ISP shall be rewritten at least annually.

6. Reimbursement for the initial behavioral therapy assessment and the initial ISP shall be limited to five hours without service authorization. If additional time is needed to complete these documents, service authorization shall be required.

7. Clinical supervision shall be required for Medicaid reimbursement of behavioral therapy services that are rendered by an LABA, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S or unlicensed staff consistent with the scope of practice as described by the applicable Virginia Department of Health Professions regulatory board. Clinical supervision of unlicensed staff shall occur at least weekly. As documented in the youth's medical record, clinical supervision shall include a review of progress notes and data and dialogue with supervised staff about the youth's progress and the effectiveness of the ISP. Clinical supervision shall be documented by, at a minimum, the contemporaneously dated signature of the clinical supervisor.

8. Family training involving the youth's family and significant others to advance the treatment goals of the youth shall be provided when (i) the training with the family member or significant other is for the direct benefit of the youth, (ii) the training is not aimed at addressing the treatment needs of the youth family or significant others, (iii) the youth is present except when it is clinically appropriate for the youth to be absent in order to advance the youth's treatment goals, and (iv) the training is aligned with the goals of the youth's treatment plan.

9. The following shall not be covered under this service:

a. Screening to identify physical, mental, or developmental conditions that may require evaluation or treatment. Screening is covered as an EPSDT service provided by the primary care provider and is not covered as a behavioral therapy service under this section.

b. Services other than the initial behavioral therapy assessment that are provided but are not based upon the youth's ISP or linked to a service in the ISP. Time not actively involved in providing services directed by the ISP shall not be reimbursed.

c. Services that are based upon an incomplete, missing, or outdated behavioral therapy assessment or ISP.

d. Sessions that are conducted for family support, education, recreational, or custodial purposes, including respite or child care.

e. Services that are provided by a provider but are rendered primarily by a relative or guardian who is legally responsible for the youth's care.

f. Services that are provided in a clinic or provider's office without documented justification for the location in the ISP.

g. Services that are provided in the absence of the youth or a parent or other authorized caregiver identified in the ISP with the exception of treatment review processes described in subdivision 12 e of this subsection, care coordination, and clinical supervision.

h. Services provided by a local education agency.

i. Provider travel time.

10. Behavioral therapy services shall not be reimbursed concurrently with community mental health services described in 12VAC30-50-130 C or 12VAC30-50-226 B, or behavioral, psychological, or psychiatric therapeutic consultation described in 12VAC 30-120-756, 12VAC 30-120-1000, or 12VAC 30-135-320.

11. If the youth is receiving targeted case management services under the State Plan (defined in 12VAC30-50-410 through 12VAC30-50-491), the provider shall notify the case manager of the provision of behavioral therapy services unless the parent or guardian requests that the information not be released. In addition, the provider shall send monthly updates to the case manager on the youth's status pursuant to a valid release of information. A discharge summary shall be sent to the case manager within 30 days of the service discontinuation date. A refusal of the parent or guardian to release information shall be documented in the medical record for the date the request was discussed.

12. Other standards to ensure quality of services:

a. Services shall be delivered only by an LBA, LABA, LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, or clinically supervised unlicensed staff consistent with the scope of practice as described by the applicable Virginia Department of Health Professions regulatory board.

b. Individual-specific services shall be directed toward the treatment of the eligible individual and delivered in the family's residence unless an alternative location is justified and documented in the ISP.

c. Individual-specific progress notes shall be created contemporaneously with the service activities and shall document the name and Medicaid number of each youth; the provider's name, signature, and date; and time of service. Documentation shall include activities provided, length of services provided, the youth's reaction to that day's activity, and documentation of the youth's and the parent or caregiver's progress toward achieving each behavioral objective through analysis and reporting of quantifiable behavioral data. Documentation shall be prepared to clearly demonstrate efficacy using baseline and service-related data that shows clinical progress and generalization for the youth and family members toward the therapy goals as defined in the service plan.

d. Documentation of all billed services shall include the amount of time or billable units spent to deliver the service and shall be signed and dated on the date of the service by the practitioner rendering the service.

e. Billable time is permitted for the LBA, LABA, LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S to better define behaviors and develop documentation strategies to measure treatment performance and the efficacy of the ISP objectives, provided that these activities are documented in a progress note as described in subdivision 12 c of this subsection.

13. Failure to comply with any of the requirements in 12VAC30-50-130 or in this section shall result in retraction.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 7, eff. January 22, 1998; amended, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 2004; Volume 22, Issue 8, eff. January 25, 2006; Volume 31, Issue 9, eff. January 30, 2015; Volume 35, Issue 6, eff. December 12, 2018; Volume 35, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2019; Volume 38, Issue 12, eff. March 17, 2022.

12VAC30-60-65. Electronic visit verification.

A. Definitions. The following words and terms when used in this section shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Aide" means the person who is employed by an agency to provide hands-on care.

"Agency-directed services" means a model of service delivery where an agency is responsible for providing direct support staff, for maintaining an individual's records, and for scheduling the dates and times of the direct support staff's presence in the individual's home for personal care services, respite care services, and companion services.

"Attendant" means the person who is hired by the individual consumer to provide hands-on care.

"Companion services" means nonmedical care, supervision, and socialization provided to an adult individual (ages 18 years and older). The provision of companion services shall not entail hands-on care but shall be provided in accordance with a therapeutic goal in the individual support plan and is not purely diversional in nature.

"Consumer-directed attendant" means a person who provides consumer-directed personal care services, respite care services, companion services, or any combination of these three services, who is also exempt from workers' compensation.

"Consumer-directed services" or "CD services" means the model of service delivery for which the individual enrolled in the waiver or the individual's employer of record, as appropriate, is responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and firing of an attendant who renders the services that are reimbursed by DMAS.

"DMAS" means the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

"Electronic visit verification" or "EVV" means a system by which personal care services, companion services, or respite care services home visits are electronically verified with respect to (i) the type of service performed, (ii) the individual receiving the service, (iii) the date of the service, (iv) the location of service delivery, (v) the individual providing the service, and (vi) the time the service begins and ends.

"Individual" means the person who has applied for and been approved to receive services for which EVV is required.

"Personal care services" means a range of support services that includes assistance with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, access to the community, and self-administration of medication or other medical needs and the monitoring of health status and physical condition provided through the agency-directed or consumer-directed model of service. Personal care services shall be provided by a personal care attendant or aide within the scope of the attendant's or aide's license or certification, as appropriate.

"Respite care services" means services provided to waiver individuals who are unable to care for themselves that are furnished on a short-term basis because of the absence of or need for the relief of the unpaid primary caregiver who normally provides the care.

B. Applicable services. All of the requirements for an electronic visit verification system shall apply to all providers, both agency-directed and consumer-directed, of personal care services, respite care services, and companion services unless exempt under subsection C of this section.

1. Agency providers shall choose the EVV system that best suits the provider business model, meets regulatory requirements established in this section, and provides reliable functionality for the geographic area in which it is to be used.

2. For consumer-directed services, the DMAS designee (the fiscal employer agent) shall select and operate an EVV system to support an individual, or the employer of record, in managing the individual's care, meeting regulatory requirements established in this section, and providing reliable functionality for the geographic area in which it is to be used.

3. Providers of consumer-directed personal care services, respite care services, and companion services shall comply with all EVV requirements.

4. Providers of agency-directed personal care services, respite care services, and companion services shall comply with all EVV requirements.

5. Individuals shall not be restricted from receiving a combination of agency-directed and consumer-directed services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit personal care, respite care, or companion services; an individual's selection of a provider attendant or aide; or impede the manner or location in which services are delivered subject to subsection C of this section.

C. The following entities and individuals shall be exempt from EVV requirements:

1. A DBHDS-licensed provider in a DBHDS-licensed program site, such as a group home or sponsored residential home or a supervised living, supported living, or similar facility or location licensed to provide respite care services;

2. The Regional Educational Assessment Crisis Response and Habilitation (REACH) Program;

3. Schools where personal care services are rendered under the authority of an individual education program; and

4. Live-in caregivers.

D. System requirements.

1. The EVV system shall be capable of capturing required data in real time and producing such data as requested by DMAS in electronic format. The following information shall be retained:

a. The type of the service being performed;

b. The individual who receives the service;

c. The date of the service, including month, day, and year;

d. The time the service begins and ends;

e. The location of the service delivery at the beginning and the end of the service. EVV systems shall not restrict locations where individuals may receive services; and

f. The attendant or aide who provides the service.

2. In the event the time of service delivery needs to be adjusted, the start or end time may be modified by someone who has the provider's authority to adjust the aide's or attendant's hours.

a. For agency-directed providers, this may be a supervisor or the agency owner or a designee who has authority to make independent verifications. In no case shall workers be allowed to adjust a peer worker's reported time.

b. For consumer-directed attendants, the fiscal employer agent shall have this authority.

3. All EVV systems shall be compliant with the requirements of the American with Disabilities Act (42 USC § 12101 et seq.) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-191).

4. All EVV systems shall employ electronic devices that are capable of recording the required data described in subdivision D 1 of this section, producing it upon demand, and safeguarding the data both physically and electronically.

5. All EVV systems shall be accessible for input or service delivery 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

6. All EVV systems shall provide for data backups in the event of emergencies; disasters, natural or otherwise; and system malfunctions, both in the location services are being delivered and the backup server location.

7. All EVV systems shall be capable of handling:

a. Multiple work shifts per day per individual or aide or attendant combination;

b. Aides or attendants who work for multiple individuals;

c. Individuals who use multiple aides or attendants;

d. Multiple individuals and multiple aides or attendants or both in the same location at the same time and date. In such situations, the EVV shall be capable of separately documenting the services, as well as the other elements set out in subdivision D 1 of this section, that are provided to each individual; and

e. At minimum, daily backups of the most recent data that has been entered.

8. All EVV systems shall be capable of electronically transmitting information to DMAS in the required format or electronically transferring it to the provider's billing system.

E. EVV data shall be submitted to DMAS with the provider's billing claim in a manner that conforms with agency specifications.

F. Agency-directed provider records, audits, and reports.

1. Providers shall select and obtain an EVV system that meets the functional requirements of DMAS or its designee.

2. All providers shall retain EVV data for at least six years from the last date of service or as provided by applicable federal and state laws, whichever period is longer. However, if an audit is initiated within the required retention period, the records shall be retained until the audit is completed and every exception is resolved. Policies regarding retention of records shall apply even if the provider discontinues operation.

a. In the event a provider discontinues services, DMAS shall be notified in writing of the storage location and procedures for obtaining records for review should the need arise.

b. The location, agent, or trustee shall be within the Commonwealth.

3. All providers shall retain records of minor individuals for at least six years after such minor individual has reached 18 years of age.

4. All providers shall produce their archived EVV data in a timely manner and in an electronic format when requested by DMAS or its designee.

5. In the event that a telephone or other verification option that the provider uses is not available or accessible in the individual's home or location, and delayed data input is utilized, the provider shall have information on file documenting the reason that the aide or attendant did not use EVV for the service delivered.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 24, eff. August 18, 2021.

12VAC30-60-70. Utilization control: home health services.

A. Home health services that meet the standards prescribed for participation under Title XVIII, will be supplied.

B. Home health services shall be provided by a home health agency that is (i) licensed by the Virginia Department of Health, (ii) certified by the Virginia Department of Health under provisions of Title XVIII (Medicare) or Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, or (iii) accredited by any organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for purposes of Medicare certification. Services shall be provided on a part-time or intermittent basis to a recipient in any setting in which normal life activities take place. Home health services shall not be furnished to individuals residing in a hospital, nursing facility, intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities, or any setting in which payment is or could be made under Medicaid for inpatient services that include room and board. Home health services must be ordered or prescribed by a physician, nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), or physician assistant (PA) and must be part of a written plan of care that the practitioner shall review at least every 60 days.

C. Covered services. Any one of the following services may be offered as the sole home health service and shall not be contingent upon the provision of another service.

1. Nursing services;

2. Home health aide services;

3. Physical therapy services;

4. Occupational therapy services; or

5. Speech-language pathology services.

D. General conditions. The following general conditions apply to skilled nursing, home health aide, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services provided by home health agencies.

1. The patient must be under the care of a physician, NP, CNS, or PA who is legally authorized to practice and who is acting within the scope of the practitioner's license. The practitioner may serve the patient in an independent office, be on the staff of the home health agency, or be a practitioner working under an arrangement with the institution that is the patient's residence or, if the agency is hospital-based, be a practitioner on the hospital or agency staff.

2. No payment shall be made for home health services unless a face-to-face encounter has been performed by an approved practitioner, as outlined in this subsection, with the Medicaid individual within the 90 days before the start of the services or within the 30 days after the start of the services. The face-to-face encounter shall be related to the primary reason the Medicaid individual requires home health services.

a. The face-to-face encounter shall be conducted by one of the following:

(1) A physician licensed to practice medicine;

(2) A nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist within the scope of practice under state law and working in collaboration with the physician who orders the Medicaid individual's services;

(3) A certified nurse midwife within the scope of practice under state law;

(4) A physician assistant within the scope of practice under state law and working under the supervision of the physician who orders the Medicaid individual's services; or

(5) For Medicaid individuals admitted to home health immediately after an acute or post-acute stay, the attending acute or post-acute physician.

b. The practitioner performing the face-to-face encounter shall document the clinical findings of the encounter in the Medicaid individual's record and communicate the clinical findings of the encounter to the ordering physician.

c. Face-to-face encounters may occur through telehealth, which shall not include by phone or email.

3. When a patient is admitted to home health services a start-of-care comprehensive assessment must be completed no later than five calendar days after the start of care date.

4. Services shall be furnished under a written plan of care and must be established and periodically reviewed by a physician, NP, CNS, or PA. The requested services or items must be necessary to carry out the plan of care and must be related to the patient's condition. The initial plan of care (certification) must be reviewed by a physician, NP, CNS, or PA. The practitioner must sign the initial certification before the home health agency may bill DMAS.

5. A physician, NP, CNS, or PA shall review and recertify the plan of care every 60 days. A recertification shall be performed within the last five days of each current 60-day certification period, (i.e., between and including days 56 through 60). The recertification statement must indicate the continuing need for services and should estimate how long home health services will be needed. The physician, NP, CNS, or PA must sign the recertification before the home health agency may bill DMAS.

6. The physician, NP, CNS, or PA orders for therapy services shall include the specific procedures and modalities to be used, identify the specific discipline to carry out the plan of care, and indicate the frequency and duration for services.

7. A written statement by a physician, NP, CNS, or PA located in the medical record must certify that:

a. The patient needs licensed nursing care, home health aide services, physical or occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology services;

b. A plan for furnishing such services to the individual has been established and is periodically reviewed by a physician, NP, CNS, or PA; and

c. These services were furnished while the individual was under the care of a physician, NP, CNS, or PA.

8. The plan of care shall contain at least the following information:

a. Diagnosis and prognosis;

b. Functional limitations;

c. Orders for nursing or other therapeutic services;

d. Orders for home health aide services, when applicable;

e. Orders for medications and treatments, when applicable;

f. Orders for special dietary or nutritional needs, when applicable; and

g. Orders for medical tests, when applicable, including laboratory tests and x-rays.

E. Utilization review shall be performed by DMAS to determine if services are appropriately provided and to ensure that the services provided to Medicaid recipients are medically necessary and appropriate. Such post payment review audits may be unannounced. Services not specifically documented in patients' medical records as having been rendered shall be deemed not to have been rendered and no reimbursement shall be provided.

F. All services furnished by a home health agency, whether provided directly by the agency or under arrangements with others, must be performed by appropriately qualified personnel. The following criteria shall apply to the provision of home health services:

1. Nursing services. Nursing services must be provided by a registered nurse or by a licensed practical nurse under the supervision of a graduate of an approved school of professional nursing and who is licensed as a registered nurse.

2. Home health aide services. Home health aides must meet the qualifications specified for home health aides by 42 CFR 484.80. Home health aide services may include assisting with personal hygiene, meal preparation and feeding, walking, and taking and recording blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. Home health aide services must be provided under the general supervision of a registered nurse. A recipient may not receive duplicative home health aide and personal care aide services.

3. Rehabilitation services. Services shall be specific and provide effective treatment for patients' conditions in accordance with accepted standards of medical practice. The amount, frequency, and duration of the services shall be reasonable. Rehabilitative services shall be provided with the expectation, based on the assessment made by a physician, NP, CNS, or PA of patients' rehabilitation potential, that the condition of patients will improve significantly in a reasonable and generally predictable period of time or shall be necessary to the establishment of a safe and effective maintenance program required in connection with the specific diagnosis.

a. Physical therapy services shall be directly and specifically related to an active written plan of care approved by a physician, NP, CNS, or PA after any needed consultation with a physical therapist licensed by the Board of Physical Therapy. The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication, or the condition of the patient shall be of a nature that the services can only be performed by a physical therapist licensed by the Board of Physical Therapy, or a physical therapy assistant who is licensed by the Board of Physical Therapy and is under the direct supervision of a physical therapist licensed by the Board of Physical Therapy. When physical therapy services are provided by a qualified physical therapy assistant, such services shall be provided under the supervision of a qualified physical therapist who makes an onsite supervisory visit at least once every 30 days. This supervisory visit shall not be reimbursable.

b. Occupational therapy services shall be directly and specifically related to an active written plan of care approved by a physician, NP, CNS, or PA after any needed consultation with an occupational therapist registered and licensed by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine. The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication, or the condition of the patient shall be of a nature that the services can only be performed by an occupational therapist registered and licensed by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine, or an occupational therapy assistant who is certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist as defined in this subdivision. When occupational therapy services are provided by a qualified occupational therapy assistant, such services shall be provided under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapist, as defined in this subdivision, who makes an onsite supervisory visit at least once every 30 days. This supervisory visit shall not be reimbursable.

c. Speech-language pathology services shall be directly and specifically related to an active written plan of care approved by a physician, NP, CNS, or PA after any needed consultation with a speech-language pathologist licensed by the Virginia Department of Health Professions, Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology. The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication, or the condition of the patient shall be of a nature that the services can only be performed by a speech-language pathologist licensed by the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.

4. A visit shall be defined as the duration of time that a nurse, home health aide, or rehabilitation therapist is with a client to provide services prescribed by a physician, NP, CNS, or PA and that are covered home health services. Visits shall not be defined in measurements or increments of time.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 2 F, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996; Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2002; Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 21, Issue 19, eff. August 15, 2005; Volume 33, Issue 21, eff. July 13, 2017; Volume 34, Issue 1, eff. October 19, 2017; Volume 33, Issue 25, eff. January 13, 2018; Volume 36, Issue 24, eff. August 19, 2020.

12VAC30-60-75. Durable medical equipment (DME) and supplies.

A. No provider shall have a claim of ownership on DME reimbursed by Virginia Medicaid once it has been delivered to the Medicaid individual. Providers shall only be permitted to recover DME, for example, when DMAS determines that it does not fulfill the required medically necessary purpose as set out in the Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN), when there is an error in the ordering practitioner's CMN, or when the equipment was rented. DMAS shall not reimburse the DME and supply provider for services that are provided either: (i) prior to the date prescribed by the licensed practitioner; (ii) prior to the date of the delivery; or (iii) when services are not provided in accordance with DMAS' published regulations and guidance documents. In instances when the DME or supply is shipped directly to the Medicaid individual, the DME provider shall confirm that the DME or supplies have been received by the individual before submitting his claim for payment to DMAS.

B. DME providers, as defined in 12VAC30-50-165, shall retain copies on file of the fully completed CMN and all applicable supporting documentation for post payment audit reviews. Reimbursement that has been made by Medicaid shall be retracted if the DME and supplies have not been ordered on the CMN. Additional supporting documentation is allowed to justify the medical need for durable medical equipment and supplies. Supporting documentation shall not replace the requirement for a properly completed CMN. The dates of the supporting documentation shall coincide with the dates of service on the CMN. The licensed practitioner providing the supporting documentation shall be identified by name and title. DME providers shall not create or revise CMNs or supporting documentation for durable medical equipment and supplies that have been provided once the post payment audit review has been initiated.

C. Individuals requiring only DME or supplies may obtain such services directly from the DME provider without having to consult or obtain services from a home health service or home health provider. Supplies used for treatment during a home health visit shall be included in the visit rate of the home health provider. Treatment supplies left in the home to maintain treatment after the visits shall be charged separately.

D. CMN requirements. The CMN shall have two required components: (i) the licensed practitioner's order and (ii) the clinical diagnosis. Failure to have a complete CMN may result in nonpayment of services rendered or retraction of payments made subsequent to post payment audits.

1. Licensed practitioner's order.

a. The licensed practitioners' complete order shall appear on the face of the CMN. A complete order on the CMN shall consist of the item's complete description, the quantity ordered, the frequency of use, and the licensed practitioner's signature and complete date of signing as defined in 12VAC30-50-165. If the DME provider determines that the prescribing licensed practitioner's signature and complete date of signing are missing, he shall consider the CMN to be invalid and he shall request a new CMN.

b. The following CMN fields (as indicated by an asterisk on the CMN) shall be required for reimbursement:

(1) The ordered item's description. If the item is an E1399 (miscellaneous), the description of the item shall not be "miscellaneous DME," but the provider shall specify the DME item or supply.

(2) The quantity ordered as found in the licensed practitioner's order. For expendable supplies the provider shall designate supplies needed for one month. If an item is not needed every month, the provider may designate an alternate time frame.

(3) The frequency of use of the DME item or supply.

(4) The licensed practitioner's signature and full date. If either the licensed practitioner's signature or full date, or both, are missing, then the entire CMN shall be deemed to be invalid and a new CMN shall be obtained. The licensed practitioner's signature certifies that the ordered DME and supplies are a part of the treatment plan and are medically necessary for the Medicaid individual.

c. The begin service date on the CMN is optional.

(1) If the provider enters a begin service date, the CMN must be signed and dated by the licensed practitioner within 60 days of the begin service date in order for the CMN to start from the begin date.

(2) If no begin service date is documented on the CMN, the date of the practitioner's signature shall be the start date of the CMN.

2. The clinical diagnosis.

a. The narrative description of the clinical diagnosis shall be recorded on the face of the CMN.

b. The recording on the face of the CMN of the relevant ICD diagnosis code shall be optional. As used here, the term "ICD" is defined in 12VAC30-95-5.

3. Supporting documentation.

a. Supporting documentation may be included in the additional information attached to the CMN.

b. The attachment of supporting documentation shall not replace the requirement for a properly completed CMN.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 10, eff. February 27, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 28, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2012; Volume 30, Issue 18, eff. June 5, 2014.

12VAC30-60-80. Utilization control: Optometrists' services.

Optometrists' services are limited to examinations (refractions) after preauthorization by the state agency except for eyeglasses as a result of an Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT).

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia and Item 396 E 5 of the 1995 Appropriations Act.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 2 G, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996.

12VAC30-60-90. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 2 H, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 17, eff. June 10, 1998.

12VAC30-60-100. Utilization control: Incorporation of specialized quality standards.

Standards in other specialized high quality programs such as the program of Crippled Children's Services will be incorporated as appropriate.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia and Item 396 E 5 of the 1995 Appropriations Act.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 2 I, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996.

12VAC30-60-110. Utilization control: Effect of geographic boundaries on provision of care.

Provisions will be made for obtaining recommended medical care and services regardless of geographic boundaries.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia and Item 396 E 5 of the 1995 Appropriations Act.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, § 2 J, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996.

12VAC30-60-120. Quality management: Intensive physical rehabilitative services and comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility services.

A. Within 24 hours of an individual's admission for either intensive inpatient rehabilitation or comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility (CORF) services, a physician shall be required to complete and sign and date the admission certification statement, as defined in 12VAC30-50-225 and 42 CFR 456.60, of the need for intensive rehabilitation or CORF services and the initial plan of care or orders.

1. Excluding CORF services, all other plans of care for inpatient rehabilitation services, including 60-day recertifications and the 60-day plan of care renewal orders shall be ordered by either a physician or a licensed practitioner of the healing arts, including nurse practitioners or physician assistants, within the scope of their licenses under state law.

2. If therapy services are recertified by a practitioner of the healing arts other than a physician, supervision shall be performed by a physician as required by §§ 54.1-2952 and 54.1-2957.01 of the Code of Virginia and 42 CFR 456.60.

3. For CORF providers, federal requirements do not permit nurse practitioners or physician assistants to order CORF intensive rehabilitation services. A physician shall be responsible for all documentation requirements, including admission certifications, recertifications, plans of care, progress notes, discharge orders, and any other required documentation (42 CFR 485.58(a)(i)).

4. Admission certification requirements shall apply to all individuals who are currently Medicaid eligible and to those individuals for whom a retroactive Medicaid eligibility determination is anticipated for coverage of an inpatient rehabilitative stay or for CORF services.

B. Within 72 hours of an individual's admission to an intensive rehabilitation or CORF program or upon notification to the provider of the individual's Medicaid eligibility or that the individual's Medicare benefits are exhausted, the provider shall notify DMAS or its contractor in writing, or as required, of the individual's admission and the medical need for service authorization.

1. This notification shall include a description of the admitting diagnosis, plan of care, and expected progress and a physician's written admission certification statement that the individual meets the rehabilitation admission criteria. DMAS or its contractor shall review such requests for service authorization and make a determination based on medical necessity criteria (see 12VAC30-50-225) as designated by DMAS and notify the provider of its decision. If services are approved, DMAS or its contractor shall establish and notify the provider of an approved length of stay. Additional lengths of stay shall be requested by the provider prior to the end date of the initial service authorization and must be approved by DMAS or its contractor for reimbursement. Admissions or lengths of stay not authorized by DMAS or its contractor shall not be approved for reimbursement.

2. For continued intensive rehabilitation or CORF services, the individual must demonstrate an ability to actively participate in goal-related therapeutic interventions developed by the interdisciplinary team.

C. Documentation of rehabilitation services required by DMAS for reimbursement for all disciplines of intensive rehabilitation or CORF services shall include all of the following:

1. A written physician admission certification statement.

2. A 60-day written recertification statement if a continued stay is determined to be medically necessary by the physician or other licensed practitioner of the healing arts within the scope of the practitioner's license. Admission certification or recertification statements for CORF services shall be signed and dated only by licensed physicians.

3. A physician's written initial plan of care shall include orders for medications, the frequency and duration of services, required rehabilitation therapies, diet, medically necessary treatments, and other required services such as psychology, social work, and therapeutic recreation services.

a. Except for CORF services, the plan of care may be written by either a physician or by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts within the scope of the physician or licensed practitioner's license.

b. For CORF services, the plan of care shall be written, signed, and dated only by a licensed physician.

4. An initial evaluation that describes the individual's clinical signs and symptoms necessitating admission to the rehabilitation program.

5. A description of any prior treatment and attempts to rehabilitate the individual.

6. An accurate and complete chronological description of the individual's clinical course and progress in treatment.

7. Documentation by each participating therapy discipline of a comprehensive plan of care developed by the licensed therapist.

8. Documentation that an interdisciplinary coordinated team plan of care specifically designed for the individual has been developed within seven days of admission.

9. Detailed documentation of all treatment rendered to the individual in accordance with each discipline's plan of care with specific attention to frequency, duration, modality, the individual's response to treatment, and the identification of the licensed therapist or therapy assistant and dated signature of who provided such treatment.

10. Documentation of all changes in the individual's conditions.

11. Documentation describing a discharge plan that includes the anticipated improvements in functional levels, the timeframes necessary to meet the individual's goals, and the individual's discharge destination.

12. Discharge summary shall be completed by each licensed discipline offering services to include goal outcomes. The provider may complete the discharge summary before the individual's discharge or up to 30 days after the date of the individual's discharge.

D. Services not specifically documented in the individual's medical record as having been rendered will be deemed not to have been rendered and no reimbursement will be provided.

E. Intentional altering of medical record documentation shall be prohibited. If corrections in medical records are required, the agency's provider-specific rehabilitation guidance documents provide information on the procedures to be used.

F. The interdisciplinary rehabilitative team shall meet and prepare written documentation of the interdisciplinary team plan of care within seven days of admission. Interdisciplinary rehabilitative team conferences shall be held as needed but at least every two weeks to assess and document the individual's progress or problems impeding progress. The interdisciplinary rehabilitative team shall assess the validity of the rehabilitation goals established at the time of the initial evaluation, determine if rehabilitation criteria continue to be met, and revise the individual's goals as needed. A simple reading review by the various interdisciplinary rehabilitative team members of each other's notes shall not constitute an interdisciplinary rehabilitative team conference. Where practical, the individual or family or both shall participate in the interdisciplinary rehabilitative team conferences. A dated summary of the conferences documenting the names and professional titles of the interdisciplinary rehabilitative team members present shall be recorded in the clinical record and shall reflect the reassessments of the various interdisciplinary rehabilitative team members.

G. DMAS or its contractor shall perform quality management reviews to determine if services were appropriately provided as verified in the medical record documentation and to ensure that the services provided to Medicaid individuals were medically necessary and appropriate and that the individual continued to meet intensive rehabilitation criteria throughout the entire admission in the rehabilitation program.

H. When a provider has been determined during a quality management review as not complying with DMAS regulations, DMAS or its contractor may request corrective action plans from the provider. The corrective action plan shall address how the provider will become compliant with DMAS regulations and requirements in the areas for which the provider has been cited for noncompliance.

I. Properly documented medical reasons for furlough visits away from the inpatient rehabilitation provider may be included as part of an overall rehabilitation program. Unoccupied beds or days resulting from an overnight therapeutic furlough shall not be reimbursed by DMAS.

J. Discharge planning shall be an integral part of the overall plan of care that is developed at the time of admission to the program. The plan shall identify the anticipated improvements in functional abilities and the probable discharge destination. The individual, unless unable to do so, or the responsible party shall participate in the discharge planning. Notations concerning changes in the discharge plan shall be entered into the record at least every two weeks as a part of the required interdisciplinary team conference.

K. Each of the following intensive rehabilitation professionals have specific licensure and documentation requirements based on their disciplines that shall be adhered to. This subsection outlines these requirements for physician, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, psychology, social work, therapeutic recreation, and prosthetic and orthotic services as follows:

1. Physician services are those services furnished to an individual that meet all of the following conditions:

a. The individual shall be under the care of a physician who is legally authorized to practice and is acting within the scope of the physician's license or a licensed practitioner of the healing arts as defined in 12VAC30-50-225. The physician shall be licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine and have specialized training or experience in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation;

b. Within 24 hours of an individual's admission, the physician shall provide a written initial admission certification consistent with 42 CFR 456.60. The physician shall provide a 60-day written recertification statement of the continued need for intensive physical rehabilitation services. DMAS shall not provide reimbursement for services that are not supported by physician written admission certifications and 60-day recertifications;

c. The physician plan of care shall be written to include orders for medications, rehabilitation therapies, treatments, diet, and other required services pursuant to 42 CFR 456.80. Failure to obtain the physician written renewal of the plan of care every 60 days shall result in nonpayment for services rendered; and

d. The service shall be specific and provide effective treatment for the individual's condition in accordance with accepted standards of medical practice.

2. Rehabilitative nursing requires education, training, and experience that provides special knowledge and clinical skills to diagnose nursing needs and treat individuals who have health problems characterized by alteration in either cognitive or functional ability, or both. Rehabilitative nursing services are those services furnished to an individual that meet all of the following conditions:

a. The services shall be directly and specifically related to a written plan of care developed by a registered nurse licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing who is experienced in physical rehabilitation;

b. The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication or the individual's condition shall be of a nature that the services can only be performed by a registered nurse or licensed professional nurse, nursing assistant, or rehabilitation technician under the direct supervision of a registered nurse who is experienced in physical rehabilitation;

c. The services shall be provided with the expectation, based on the physician's assessment of the individual's rehabilitation potential, that the individual's condition will improve significantly, as determined by the physician and the interdisciplinary rehabilitative team, in a reasonable and generally predictable period of time as determined by the nurse or therapist, or these services shall be necessary to the establishment of a safe and effective maintenance therapy program required in connection with a specific diagnosis; and

d. The service shall be specific and provide effective treatment for the individual's condition. The amount, frequency, and duration of the service shall comport with accepted standards of medical practice.

3. Physical therapy services are those services furnished to an individual that meet all of the following conditions:

a. The services shall be directly and specifically related to a written plan of care developed by a physical therapist licensed by the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy;

b. The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication or the individual's condition shall be of a nature that the services can only be performed by a physical therapist licensed by the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy or a physical therapy assistant who is licensed by the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy and under the direct supervision of a qualified licensed physical therapist;

c. The services shall be provided with the expectation, based on the physician's assessment of the individual's rehabilitation potential, that the individual's condition will improve significantly, as determined by the physician and the interdisciplinary rehabilitative team, in a reasonable and generally predictable period of time, or these services shall be necessary to the establishment of a safe and effective maintenance therapy program required in connection with a specific diagnosis; and

d. The services shall be specific and provide effective treatment for the individual's condition. The amount, frequency, and duration of the services shall comport with accepted standards of medical practice.

4. Occupational therapy services are those services furnished to an individual that meet all of the following conditions:

a. The services shall be directly and specifically related to a written plan of care developed by an occupational therapist certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine;

b. The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication or the individual's condition shall be of a nature that the services can only be performed by an occupational therapist registered and certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy or an occupational therapy assistant certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine under the direct supervision of a qualified occupational therapist as defined in subdivision 4 a of this subsection;

c. The services shall be provided with the expectation, based on the physician's assessment of the individual's rehabilitation potential, that the individual's condition will improve significantly, as determined by the physician and the interdisciplinary rehabilitative team, in a reasonable and generally predictable period of time, or these services shall be necessary to the establishment of a safe and effective maintenance therapy program required in connection with a specific diagnosis; and

5. Speech-language pathology therapy services are those services furnished to an individual that meet all of the following conditions:

a. The services shall be directly and specifically related to a written plan of care developed by a speech-language pathologist licensed by the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology or, if exempted from licensure by statute, meeting the requirements in 42 CFR 440.110(c);

b. The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication or the individual's condition shall be of a nature that the services can only be performed by either a speech-language pathologist licensed by the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology or by a speech-language assistant who has been certified by the board and who is under the direct supervision of the speech-language pathologist;

c. The services shall be provided with the expectation, based on the physician's assessment of the individual's rehabilitation potential, that the individual's condition will improve significantly, as determined by the physician and the interdisciplinary rehabilitative team, in a reasonable and generally predictable period of time, or these services shall be necessary to the establishment of a safe and effective maintenance therapy program required in connection with a specific diagnosis; and

6. Cognitive rehabilitation therapy services are those services furnished to an individual that meet all of the following conditions:

a. The services shall be directly and specifically related to a written plan of care developed by a clinical psychologist experienced in working with the neurologically impaired and licensed by the Virginia Board of Psychology;

b. The services, based on the findings of the neuropsychological evaluation, shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication or the individual's condition shall be of a nature that the services can only be rendered after a neuropsychological evaluation administered by a licensed clinical psychologist or licensed physician experienced in the administration of neuropsychological assessments and in accordance with a plan of care;

c. Cognitive rehabilitation therapy services shall be provided by occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, or psychologists, or all of these, who have experience in working with neurologically impaired individuals when such services have been ordered by a physician or other licensed practitioner;

d. The cognitive rehabilitation services shall be an integrated part of the individual's interdisciplinary plan of care and shall relate to information processing deficits that are a consequence of and related to a neurologic event;

e. The services include therapeutic activities to improve a variety of cognitive functions, such as orientation, attention and concentration, reasoning, memory, recall, discrimination, and behavior; and

f. The services shall be provided with the expectation, based on the physician's or psychologist's assessment of the individual's rehabilitation potential, that the individual's condition will improve significantly in a reasonable and generally predictable period of time, or these services shall be necessary to the establishment of a safe and effective maintenance therapy program required in connection with a specific diagnosis.

7. Psychological services are those services furnished to an individual that meet all of the following conditions:

a. Services shall be ordered by a physician or other licensed practitioner;

b. The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication or the individual's condition shall be of a nature that the services as set out in the written plan of care can only be developed and performed by a qualified, licensed psychologist as required by the Virginia Board of Psychology or a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed professional counselor, or a licensed clinical nurse specialist-psychiatric;

c. The services shall be provided with the expectation, based on the assessment of the individual's rehabilitation potential, that the individual's condition will improve significantly in a reasonable and generally predictable period of time, or these services shall be necessary to the establishment of a safe and effective maintenance therapy program required in connection with a specific diagnosis; and

8. Social work services are those services furnished to an individual that meet all of the following conditions:

a. Services shall be ordered by a physician or other licensed practitioner;

c. The services shall be provided with the expectation, based on the assessment of the individual's rehabilitation potential, that the condition of the individual will improve significantly in a reasonable and generally predictable period of time, or these services shall be necessary to the establishment of a safe and effective maintenance therapy program required in connection with a specific diagnosis; and

9. Therapeutic recreation services are those services furnished to an individual that meet all of the following conditions:

a. Services shall be ordered by a physician or other licensed practitioner;

b. The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication or the individual's condition shall be of a nature that the services as set out in the written plan of care are performed as an integrated part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan of care by a recreation therapist certified with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation at the professional level;

10. Prosthetic and orthotic services.

a. Prosthetic services furnished to a patient include prosthetic devices that replace all or part of an external body member and services necessary to design the device, including measuring, fitting, and instructing the patient in its use.

b. Orthotic device services furnished to a patient include orthotic devices that support or align extremities to prevent or correct deformities, or to improve functioning, and services necessary to design the device, including measuring, fitting, and instructing the patient in its use.

c. Maxillofacial prosthetic and related dental services are those services that are specifically related to the improvement of oral function, not to include routine oral and dental care.

d. The services shall be directly and specifically related to a written plan of care approved by a physician after consultation with a prosthetist, orthotist, or a licensed, board-eligible prosthodontist who shall be certified in maxillofacial prosthetics.

e. The services shall be provided with the expectation, based on the physician's or other licensed practitioner's assessment of the individual's rehabilitation potential, that the individual's condition will improve significantly in a reasonable and predictable period of time, or these services shall be necessary to the establishment of a safe and effective maintenance therapy program.

f. The services shall be specific and provide effective treatment for the individual's condition. The amount, frequency, and duration of the services shall comport with accepted standards of medical and dental practice.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, §§ 1.1 through 8.1, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996; Volume 14, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 1998; Volume 15, Issue 6, eff. January 6, 1999; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 40, Issue 26, eff. September 26, 2024.

12VAC30-60-130. Hospice services.

A. Admission criteria.

1. Service election. To be eligible for hospice coverage under Medicare or Medicaid, the recipient shall be "terminally ill," defined as having a life expectancy of six months or less, and, except for individuals younger than 21 years of age, elect to receive hospice services rather than active treatment for the illness. Both the attending physician (if the individual has an attending physician) and the hospice medical director, or the attending physician and the physician member of the interdisciplinary team, must initially certify the life expectancy. The election statement shall include (i) identification of the hospice that will provide care to the individual; (ii) the individual's or representative's acknowledgment that the individual or representative has been given a full understanding of the palliative rather than curative nature of hospice care as it relates to the individual's terminal illness; (iii) with the exception of children, defined as persons younger than 21 years of age, acknowledgment that certain Medicaid services are waived by the election; (iv) the effective date of the election; and (v) the signature of the individual or representative.

2. Service revocation. The recipient shall have the right to revoke election of hospice services at any time during the covered hospice periods. DMAS shall be contacted if the recipient revokes hospice services. If the recipient reelects the hospice services, the hospice periods will begin as an initial timeframe. Therefore, the certification and time requirements in this subsection will apply. The recipient cannot retroactively receive hospice benefits from previously unused hospice periods. The recipient's written revocation statement shall be maintained in the recipient's medical record.

B. General conditions. The general conditions provided in this subsection apply to nursing care, medical social services, physician services, counseling services, short-term inpatient care, durable medical equipment and supplies, drugs and biologicals, home health aide and homemaker services, and rehabilitation services.

The recipient shall be under the care of a physician who is legally authorized to practice and who is acting within the scope of the physician's license. The hospice medical director or the physician member of the interdisciplinary team shall be a licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathy. Hospice services may be provided in the recipient's home or in a freestanding hospice, hospital, or nursing facility.

The hospice shall obtain the written certification that an individual is terminally ill in accordance with the following procedures:

1. For the initial 90-day benefit period of hospice coverage, a Medicaid written certification (DMAS 420) shall be signed and dated by the medical director of the hospice and the attending physician, or the physician member of the hospice interdisciplinary team and the attending physician, at the beginning of the certification period. This initial certification shall be submitted for preauthorization within 14 days from the physician's signature date. This certification shall be maintained in the recipient's medical record.

2. For the subsequent 90-day hospice period, a Medicaid written certification (DMAS 420) shall be signed and dated before or on the begin date of the 90-day hospice period by the medical director of the hospice or the physician member of the hospice's interdisciplinary team. The certification shall include the statement that the recipient's medical prognosis is that the recipient's life expectancy is six months or less. This certification of continued need for hospice services shall be maintained in the recipient's medical record.

3. After the second 90-day hospice period and until the recipient is no longer in the Medicaid hospice program, a Medicaid written certification shall be signed and dated every 60 days on or before the begin date of the 60-day period. This certification statement shall be signed and dated by the medical director of the hospice or the physician member of the hospice's interdisciplinary team. The certification shall include the statement that the recipient's medical prognosis is that the recipient's life expectancy is six months or less. This certification shall be maintained in the recipient's medical record.

C. Utilization review. Authorization for hospice services requires an initial preauthorization by DMAS and physician certification of life expectancy. Utilization review will be conducted to determine if services were provided by the appropriate provider and to ensure that the services provided to Medicaid recipients are medically necessary and appropriate. Services not specifically documented in the recipients' medical records as having been rendered shall be deemed not to have been rendered and no coverage shall be provided.

D. Hospice services are a medically directed, interdisciplinary program of palliative services for terminally ill people and their families emphasizing pain and symptom control. The rules pertaining to hospice services are:

1. Interdisciplinary team. An interdisciplinary team shall include at least the following individuals: a physician (either a hospice employee or a contract physician), a registered nurse, a social worker, and a pastoral or other counselor. Other professionals may also be members of the interdisciplinary team depending on the terminally ill recipient's medical needs.

2. Nursing care. Nursing care shall be provided by a registered nurse or by a licensed practical nurse under the supervision of a graduate of an approved school of professional nursing who is licensed as a registered nurse.

3. Medical social services. Medical social services shall be provided by a social worker who has at least a bachelor's degree from a school accredited or approved by the Council on Social Work Education, and who is working under the direction of a physician.

4. Physician services. Physician services shall be performed by a professional who is licensed to practice, who is acting within the scope of the professional's license, and who is a doctor of medicine or osteopathy, a doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine, a doctor of podiatric medicine, a doctor of optometry, or a chiropractor. The hospice medical director or the physician member of the interdisciplinary team shall be a licensed doctor of medicine or osteopathy.

5. Counseling services. Counseling services shall be provided to the terminally ill individual and the family members or other persons caring for the individual at home. Counseling, including dietary counseling, may be provided both for the purpose of training the individual's family or other caregiver to provide care and for the purpose of helping the individual and those caring for the individual to adjust to the individual's approaching death. Bereavement counseling consists of counseling services provided to the individual's family up to one year after the individual's death. Bereavement counseling is a required hospice service, but it is not reimbursable.

6. Short-term inpatient care. Short-term inpatient care may be provided in a participating hospice inpatient unit or a participating hospital or nursing facility. General inpatient care may be required for procedures necessary for pain control or acute or chronic symptom management that cannot be provided in other settings. Inpatient care may also be furnished to provide respite for the individual's family or other persons caring for the individual at home.

7. Durable medical equipment and supplies. Durable medical equipment as well as other self-help and personal comfort items related to the palliation or management of the patient's terminal illness are covered. Medical supplies include those that are part of the written plan of care.

8. Drugs and biologicals. Only drugs that are used primarily for the relief of pain and symptom control related to the individual's terminal illness are covered.

9. Home health aide and homemaker services. Home health aides providing services to hospice recipients shall meet the qualifications specified for home health aides by 42 CFR 484.80. Home health aides may provide personal care services. Aides may also perform household services to maintain a safe and sanitary environment in areas of the home used by the patient, such as changing the bed or light cleaning and laundering essential to the comfort and cleanliness of the patient. Homemaker services may include assistance in personal care, maintenance of a safe and healthy environment, and services to enable the individual to carry out the plan of care. Home health aide and homemaker services shall be provided under the general supervision of a registered nurse.

10. Rehabilitation services. Rehabilitation services include physical and occupational therapies and speech-language pathology services that are used for purposes of symptom control or to enable the individual to maintain activities of daily living and basic functional skills.

a. Occupational therapy services shall be those services furnished a patient that meet all of the following conditions:

(1) The services shall be directly and specifically related to an active written treatment plan designed by the physician after any needed consultation with an occupational therapist registered and certified by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board;

(2) The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication or the condition of the patient shall be of a nature that the services can only be performed by an occupational therapist registered and certified by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board or an occupational therapy assistant certified by the American Occupational Therapy Certification Board under the direct supervision of an occupational therapist; and

(3) The services shall be specific and provide effective treatment for the patient's condition in accordance with accepted standards of medical practice, including the requirement that the amount, frequency, and duration of the services shall be reasonable.

b. Physical therapy services shall be those furnished a patient that meet all of the following conditions:

(1) The services shall be directly and specifically related to an active written treatment plan designed by a physician after any needed consultation with a physical therapist licensed by the Board of Medicine;

(2) The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication or the condition of the patient shall be of a nature that the services can only be performed by a physical therapist licensed by the Board of Medicine, or a physical therapy assistant who is licensed by the Board of Medicine and under the direct supervision of a physical therapist licensed by the Board of Medicine; and

c. Speech-language pathology services shall be those services furnished a patient that meet all of the following conditions:

(1) The services shall be directly and specifically related to an active written treatment plan designed by a physician after any needed consultation with a speech-language pathologist licensed by the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology;

(2) The services shall be of a level of complexity and sophistication or the condition of the patient shall be of a nature that the services can only be performed by a speech-language pathologist licensed by the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology; and

11. Documentation of hospice services shall be maintained in the recipient's medical record. Coordination of patient care between all health care professionals should be maintained in the recipient's medical record.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, §§ 9.1 through 9.3, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996; Volume 16, Issue 6, eff. January 5, 2000; Volume 27, Issue 3, eff. November 10, 2010; Volume 33, Issue 25, eff. January 13, 2018; Volume 40, Issue 26, eff. September 26, 2024.

12VAC30-60-140. Community mental health services.

A. Utilization review general requirements. Utilization reviews shall be conducted, at a minimum annually for each enrolled provider, by the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) or its contractor. During each review, an appropriate sample of the provider's total Medicaid population will be selected for review. An expanded review shall be conducted if an appropriate number of exceptions or problems are identified.

B. The review by DMAS or its contractor shall include the following items:

1. Medical or clinical necessity of the delivered service;

2. The admission to service and level of care was appropriate;

3. The services were provided by appropriately qualified individuals as defined in the Amount, Duration, and Scope of Services found in 12VAC30-50; and

4. Delivered services as documented are consistent with recipients' Individual Service Plans, invoices submitted, and specified service limitations.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, §§ 10.1 through 10.3, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996; Volume 14, Issue 7, eff. January 22, 1998; Volume 29, Issue 24, eff. September 12, 2013.

12VAC30-60-143. Mental health services utilization criteria; definitions.

A. Definitions. The following words and terms when used in this section shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

"Certified prescreener" means an employee of either the local community services board or behavioral health authority, or its designee, who is skilled in the assessment and treatment of mental illness and who has completed a certification program approved by DBHDS.

"Certified prescreener assessment" means an assessment for crisis intervention and crisis stabilization completed by a certified prescreener that meets the elements of a comprehensive needs assessment.

"Comprehensive needs assessment" means the same as defined in 12VAC30-50-130 and also includes individuals who are older than 21 years of age.

"Emergency services" means unscheduled and sometimes scheduled crisis intervention, stabilization, acute psychiatric inpatient services, and referral assistance provided over the telephone or face-to-face if indicated, and available 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

"Licensed mental health professional" or "LMHP" means the same as defined in 12VAC30-50-130.

"LMHP-resident" or "LMHP-R" means the same as defined in 12VAC30-50-130.

"LMHP-resident in psychology" or "LMHP-RP" means the same as defined in 12VAC30-50-130.

"LMHP-supervisee in social work," "LMHP-supervisee," or "LMHP-S" means the same as defined in 12VAC30-50-130.

"Qualified mental health professional-adult" or "QMHP-A" means the same as defined in 12VAC30-50-130.

"Qualified mental health professional-child" or "QMHP-C" means the same as defined in 12VAC30-50-130.

"Qualified mental health professional-eligible" or "QMHP-E" means the same as defined in 12VAC35-105-20.

"Qualified paraprofessional in mental health" or "QPPMH" means the same as the term is defined in 12VAC35-105-20.

B. Utilization reviews shall include determinations that providers meet the following requirements:

1. The provider shall meet the federal and state requirements for administrative and financial management capacity. The provider shall obtain, prior to the delivery of services, and shall maintain and update periodically as the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) or its contractor requires, a current provider enrollment agreement for each Medicaid service that the provider offers. DMAS shall not reimburse providers who do not enter into a provider enrollment agreement for a service prior to offering that service.

2. The provider shall document and maintain individual case records in accordance with state and federal requirements.

3. The provider shall ensure eligible individuals have free choice of providers of mental health services and other medical care under the Individual Service Plan.

4. Providers shall comply with DMAS marketing requirements as set out in 12VAC 30-130-2000. Providers that DMAS determines have violated these marketing requirements shall be terminated as a Medicaid provider pursuant to 12VAC 30-130-2000 E. Providers whose contracts are terminated shall be afforded the right of appeal pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq. of the Code of Virginia).

5. If an individual receiving community mental health rehabilitative services is also receiving case management services pursuant to 12VAC30-50-420 or 12VAC30-50-430, the provider shall collaborate with the case manager by notifying the case manager of the provision of community mental health rehabilitative services and sending monthly updates on the individual's treatment status. A discharge summary shall be sent to the care coordinator/case manager within 30 calendar days of the discontinuation of services. Service providers and case managers who are using the same electronic health record for the individual shall meet requirements for delivery of the notification, monthly updates, and discharge summary upon entry of this documentation into the electronic health record.

6. The provider shall determine who the primary care provider is and inform him of the individual's receipt of community mental health rehabilitative services. The documentation shall include who was contacted, when the contact occurred, and what information was transmitted.

7. Prior to admission, an appropriate comprehensive needs assessment shall be conducted by the licensed mental health professional (LMHP), LMHP-S, LMHP-R, or LMHP-RP. The comprehensive needs assessment shall include documented history of the severity, intensity, and duration of mental health care problems and issues. all of the following elements: (i) the presenting issue or reason for referral; (ii) mental health history or history of hospitalizations; (iii) previous interventions by providers and timeframes and response to treatment; (iv) medical profile; (v) developmental history including history of abuse, if appropriate; (vi) educational or vocational status; (vii) current living situation and family history and relationships; (viii) legal status, (ix) drug and alcohol profile; (x) resources and strengths; (xi) mental status exam and profile; (xii) diagnosis; (xiii) professional summary and clinical formulation; (xiv) recommended care and treatment goals; and (xv) the dated signature of the LMHP, LMHP-supervisee, LMHP-resident, or LMHP-RP.

a. A single comprehensive needs assessment shall be used to document the medical necessity for one or more community mental health rehabilitative service provided by the same DBHDS licensed agency.

b. The comprehensive needs assessment shall be: completed face to face and signed by the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S; include all required elements as defined in 12VAC30-50-130; describe how each recommended community mental health rehabilitative service is medically necessary; and be reviewed and updated at a minimum of annually or as the individual's needs change.

c. The comprehensive needs assessment shall be reviewed and updated by an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S within 31 days if there is a clinical indication based on the medical, psychiatric, or behavioral symptoms of the individual.

d. An LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S shall conduct an annual face to face review and update of the comprehensive needs assessment that includes: a review of the comprehensive needs assessment; any necessary updates to the 15 required elements of the comprehensive needs assessment to reflect the individual's current level of functioning; an updated description of how the individual meets medical necessity criteria for all recommended services; and a contemporaneously dated signature of the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S.

e. The comprehensive needs assessment is outdated if any of the following occurs: an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S has not completed the annual review and update; within the past 31 calendar days, the provider has not provided a community mental health rehabilitative service or a case management activity (as defined in 12VAC30-50-420 or 12VAC30-50-430) as recommended by the comprehensive needs assessment, or, within the past 31 days, the comprehensive needs assessment has not been updated to reflect a change in the individual's current level of functioning.

f. If the comprehensive needs assessment is outdated, a new comprehensive needs assessment is required prior to resuming a community mental health rehabilitative service that lapsed for more than 31 calendar days. If the comprehensive needs update is not outdated, it must, at a minimum, be updated to document the medical necessity for a community mental health rehabilitative service that lapsed for more than 31 calendar days.

g. Providers shall only bill under the community mental health rehabilitative service assessment codes for the initial comprehensive needs assessment and for comprehensive needs assessments that replace an outdated assessment. Providers of multiple community mental health rehabilitative services shall only bill one community mental health rehabilitative service assessment code per individual.

h. Claims for services that are based upon comprehensive needs assessments that are incomplete, outdated, or missing shall not be reimbursed.

i. For crisis intervention and crisis stabilization services, a certified prescreener assessment may be used in place of the comprehensive needs assessment.

8. The provider shall include the individual and the family/caregiver, as may be appropriate, in the development of the ISP. To the extent that the individual's condition requires assistance for participation, assistance shall be provided. The ISP shall be updated annually or as the needs and progress of the individual changes. An ISP that is not updated either annually or as the treatment interventions based on the needs and progress of the individual change shall be considered outdated. An ISP that does not include all required elements specified in 12VAC30-50-226 shall be considered incomplete. Claims for services that are based upon ISPs that are incomplete, outdated, or missing shall not be reimbursed. All ISPs shall be completed, signed, and contemporaneously dated by the appropriate professional for the service, who is preparing the ISP within a maximum of 30 days of the date of the completed assessment unless otherwise specified. A youth's ISP shall also be signed by the parent or legal guardian and the adult individual shall sign his own. If the individual is unwilling to sign the ISP, then the service provider shall document the clinical or other reasons why the individual was not able or willing to sign the ISP. Signatures shall be obtained unless there is a clinical reason that renders the individual unable to sign the ISP.

a. Every three months, the appropriate professional for the service shall review the ISP, modify the ISP as appropriate, and update the ISP, and all of these activities shall occur with the individual in a manner in which the individual may participate in the process. The ISP shall be rewritten at least annually.

b. The goals, objectives, and strategies of the ISP shall be updated to reflect any change or changes in the individual's progress and treatment needs as well as any newly-identified problems.

c. Documentation of ISP review shall be added to the individual's medical record no later than 15 days from the calendar date of the review as evidenced by the dated signatures of the appropriate professional for the service and the individual.

9. Progress notes shall include, at a minimum, the name of the service rendered, the date of the service rendered, the signature and credentials of the person who rendered the service, the setting in which the service was rendered, and the amount of time or units or hours required to deliver the service. The content of each progress note shall corroborate the units or hours billed. Progress notes shall be documented for each service that is billed.

10. Services described in this section shall be rendered consistent with the definitions, service limits, and requirements described in this section and in 12VAC30-50-226.

C. Day treatment/partial hospitalization services shall be provided following a comprehensive needs assessment completed by the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S. An ISP, as defined in 12VAC30-50-226, shall be fully completed, signed, and dated by either the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, the QMHP-A, QMHP-E, or QMHP-C and reviewed or approved by the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S within 30 days of service initiation.

1. The enrolled provider of day treatment/partial hospitalization shall be licensed by DBHDS as providers of day treatment services.

2. Services shall only be provided by an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, a QMHP-A, a QMHP-C, a QMHP-E, or a qualified paraprofessional under the supervision of a QMHP-A, QMHP-C, QMHP-E, or an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S.

3. The program shall operate a minimum of two continuous hours in a 24-hour period.

4. Individuals shall be discharged from this service when other less intensive services may achieve or maintain psychiatric stabilization.

D. Psychosocial rehabilitation services shall be provided to those individuals who have experienced long-term or repeated psychiatric hospitalization, or who experience difficulty in activities of daily living and interpersonal skills, or whose support system is limited or nonexistent, or who are unable to function in the community without intensive intervention or when long-term services are needed to maintain the individual in the community.

1. Psychosocial rehabilitation services shall be provided following a comprehensive needs assessment that clearly documents the need for services. The comprehensive needs assessment shall be completed by either an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S. An ISP shall be completed by either the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, or the QMHP-A, QMHP-E, or QMHP-C and be reviewed or approved by either an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S within 30 calendar days of service initiation. At least every three months, the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, the QMHP-A, QMHP-C, or QMHP-E must review, modify as appropriate, and update the ISP.

2. Psychosocial rehabilitation services of any individual that continue more than six months shall be reviewed by an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S who shall document the continued need for the service. The ISP shall be rewritten at least annually.

3. The enrolled provider of psychosocial rehabilitation services shall be licensed by DBHDS as a provider of psychosocial rehabilitation services.

4. Psychosocial rehabilitation services may be provided by an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, QMHP-C, QMHP-E, or a qualified paraprofessional under the supervision of a QMHP-A, a QMHP-C, a QMHP-E, or an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S.

5. The program shall operate a minimum of two continuous hours in a 24-hour period.

6. Time allocated for field trips may be used to calculate time and units if the goal is to provide training in an integrated setting, and to increase the individual's understanding or ability to access community resources.

E. Initiation of crisis intervention services shall be indicated following a comprehensive needs assessment completed by an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S, or a certified prescreener assessment that documents a marked reduction in the individual's psychiatric, adaptive or behavioral functioning or an extreme increase in personal distress. In order to receive reimbursement, providers shall register this service with DMAS or its contractor within one business day of the completion of the comprehensive needs assessment to avoid duplication of services and to ensure informed care coordination.

1. The crisis intervention services provider shall be licensed as a provider of emergency services by DBHDS.

2. Client-related activities provided in association with a face-to-face contact are reimbursable.

3. An individual service plan (ISP) shall not be required for newly admitted individuals to receive this service. Inclusion of crisis intervention as a service on the ISP shall not be required for the service to be provided on an emergency basis.

4. For individuals receiving scheduled, short-term counseling as part of the crisis intervention service, an ISP shall be developed or revised to reflect the short-term counseling goals by the fourth face-to-face contact.

5. Reimbursement shall be provided for short-term crisis counseling contacts occurring within a 30-day period from the time of the first face-to-face crisis contact. There are no restrictions (regarding number of contacts or a given time period to be covered) for reimbursement for unscheduled crisis contacts.

6. Crisis intervention services may be provided to eligible individuals outside of the clinic and reimbursed, provided the provision of out-of-clinic services is clinically or programmatically appropriate. Travel by staff to provide out-of-clinic services shall not be reimbursable. Crisis intervention may involve contacts with the family or significant others. If other clinic services are billed at the same time as crisis intervention, documentation must clearly support the separation of the services with distinct treatment goals.

7. An LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S shall conduct a comprehensive needs assessment, or a certified prescreener shall conduct a face-to-face comprehensive assessment that documents the need for and the anticipated duration of the crisis service.

8. Crisis intervention shall be provided by either an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, or a certified prescreener.

9. For an admission to a freestanding inpatient psychiatric facility for individuals younger than age 21, federal regulations (42 CFR 441.152) require certification of the admission by an independent team. The independent team must include mental health professionals, including a physician. These preadmission screenings cannot be billed unless the requirement for an independent team certification, with a physician's signature, is met.

10. Services shall be documented through daily notes and a daily log of time spent in the delivery of services.

F. Case management services pursuant to 12VAC30-50-420 (seriously mentally ill adults and emotionally disturbed children) or 12VAC30-50-430 (youth at risk of serious emotional disturbance).

1. Reimbursement shall be provided only for "active" case management clients, as defined. An active client for case management shall mean an individual for whom there is an ISP in effect that requires regular direct or client-related contacts or activity or communication with the individuals or families, significant others, service providers, and others including a minimum of one face-to-face individual contact within a 90-day period. Billing can be submitted only for months in which direct or client-related contacts, activity or communications occur.

2. The Medicaid eligible individual shall meet the DBHDS criteria of serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance in children and adolescents, or youth at risk of serious emotional disturbance.

3. There shall be no maximum service limits for case management services. Case management shall not be billed for persons in institutions for mental disease.

4. The ISP shall document the need for case management and be fully completed within 30 calendar days of initiation of the service. The case manager shall review the ISP at least every three months. The review will be due by the last day of the third month following the month in which the last review was completed. A grace period will be granted up to the last day of the fourth month following the month of the last review. When the review was completed in a grace period, the next subsequent review shall be scheduled three months from the month the review was due and not the date of actual review.

5. The ISP shall also be updated at least annually.

6. The provider of case management services shall be licensed by DBHDS as a provider of case management services.

G. Intensive community treatment (ICT).

1. A comprehensive needs assessment that documents eligibility and the need for this service shall be completed by either the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S prior to the initiation of services. The comprehensive needs assessment documentation shall be maintained in the individual's records.

2. An individual service plan, based on the needs as determined by the comprehensive needs assessment, must be initiated at the time of admission and must be fully developed by either the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, QMHP-C, or QMHP-E and approved by the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S within 30 days of the initiation of services.

3. ICT may be billed if the individual is brought to the facility by ICT staff to see the psychiatrist. Documentation must be present in the individual's record to support this intervention.

4. The enrolled ICT provider shall be licensed by the DBHDS as a provider of intensive community services or as a program of assertive community treatment, and must provide and make available emergency services 24-hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year, either directly or on call.

5. ICT services must be documented through a daily log of time spent in the delivery of services and a description of the activities/services provided. There must also be at least a weekly note documenting progress or lack of progress toward goals and objectives as outlined on the ISP.

H. Crisis stabilization services.

1. This service shall be initiated following a face-to-face comprehensive needs assessment by either an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, or an assessment completed by a certified prescreener that documents the need for crisis stabilization services.

2. In order to receive reimbursement, providers shall register this service with DMAS or its contractor within one business day of the completion of the provider's assessment to avoid duplication of services and to ensure informed care coordination.

3. The Individual Service Plan (ISP) must be developed or revised within three calendar days of admission to this service. The LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, certified prescreener, QMHP-A, QMHP-C, or QMHP-E shall develop the ISP.

4. Room and board, custodial care, and general supervision are not components of this service.

5. Clinic option services are not billable at the same time crisis stabilization services are provided with the exception of clinic visits for medication management. Medication management visits may be billed at the same time that crisis stabilization services are provided but documentation must clearly support the separation of the services with distinct treatment goals.

6. Individuals qualifying for this service must demonstrate a clinical necessity for the service arising from a condition due to an acute crisis of a psychiatric nature which puts the individual at risk of psychiatric hospitalization.

7. Providers of residential crisis stabilization shall be licensed by DBHDS as providers of residential or nonresidential crisis stabilization services. Providers of community-based crisis stabilization shall be licensed by DBHDS as providers of mental health nonresidential crisis stabilization.

I. Mental health skill-building services as defined in 12VAC30-50-226 B 6.

1. At admission, an appropriate face-to-face comprehensive needs assessment must be conducted, documented, signed, and dated by the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S. Providers shall be reimbursed one unit for each intake utilizing the appropriate billing code. Services of any individual that continue more than six months shall be reviewed by the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S who shall document the continued need for the service in the individual's medical record.

2. The primary mental health diagnosis shall be documented as part of the comprehensive needs assessment by the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, or LMHP-S performing the comprehensive needs assessment.

3. The LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, QMHP-C, or QMHP-E shall complete, sign, and date the ISP within 30 days of the admission to this service. The ISP shall include documentation of how many days per week and how many hours per week are required to carry out the goals in the ISP. The total time billed for the week shall not exceed the frequency established in the individual's ISP. The ISP shall indicate the dated signature of the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, QMHP-C, or QMHP-E and the individual. The ISP shall indicate the specific training and services to be provided, the goals and objectives to be accomplished, and criteria for discharge as part of a discharge plan that includes the projected length of service. If the individual refuses to sign the ISP, this shall be noted in the individual's medical record documentation.

4. Every three months, the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, QMHP-C, or QMHP-E shall review with the individual in a manner in which he may participate with the process, modify as appropriate, and update the ISP. The ISP must be rewritten at least annually.

a. The goals, objectives, and strategies of the ISP shall be updated to reflect any change or changes in the individual's progress and treatment needs as well as any newly identified problem.

b. Documentation of this review shall be added to the individual's medical record no later than 15 calendar days from the date of the review, as evidenced by the dated signatures of the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, QMHP-C, or QMHP-E and the individual.

5. The ISP shall include discharge goals that will enable the individual to achieve and maintain community stability and independence. The ISP shall fully support the need for interventions over the length of the period of service requested from the service authorization contractor.

6. Reauthorizations for service shall only be granted if the provider demonstrates to either DMAS or the service authorization contractor that the individual is benefitting from the service as evidenced by updates and modifications to the ISP that demonstrate progress toward ISP goals and objectives.

7. If the provider knows or has reason to know of the individual's nonadherence to a regimen of prescribed medication, medication adherence shall be a goal in the individual's ISP. If the care is delivered by the qualified paraprofessional, the supervising LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, or QMHP-C shall be informed of any nonadherence to the prescribed medication regimen. The LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, or QMHP-C shall coordinate care with the prescribing physician regarding any concerns about medication nonadherence (provided that the individual has consented to such sharing of information). The provider shall document the following minimum elements of the contact between the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, or QMHP-C and the prescribing physician:

a. Name and title of caller;

b. Name and title of professional who was called;

c. Name of organization that the prescribing professional works for;

d. Date and time of call;

e. Reason for the care coordination call;

f. Description of medication regimen issue or issues to be discussed; and

g. Whether or not there was a resolution of medication regimen issue or issues.

8. Discharge summaries shall be prepared by providers for all of the individuals in their care. Documentation of prior psychiatric services history shall be maintained in the individual's mental health skill-building services medical record.

9. Documentation of prior psychiatric services history shall be maintained in the individual's mental health skill-building services medical record. The provider shall document evidence of the individual's prior psychiatric services history, as required by 12VAC30-50-226 B 6 b (3) and 12VAC30-50-226 B 6 c (4), by contacting the prior provider or providers of such health care services after obtaining written consent from the individual. Documentation of telephone contacts with the prior provider shall include the following minimum elements:

a. Name and title of caller;

b. Name and title of professional who was called;

c. Name of organization that the professional works for;

d. Date and time of call;

e. Specific placement provided;

f. Type of treatment previously provided;

g. Name of treatment provider; and

h. Dates of previous treatment.

Discharge summaries from prior providers that clearly indicate (i) the type of treatment provided, (ii) the dates of the treatment previously provided, and (iii) the name of the treatment provider shall be sufficient to meet this requirement. Family member statements shall not suffice to meet this requirement.

10. The provider shall document evidence of the psychiatric medication history, as required by 12VAC30-50-226 B 6 b (4) and 12VAC30-50-226 B 6 c (5), by maintaining a photocopy of prescription information from a prescription bottle or by contacting the current or previous prescribing provider of health care services or pharmacy after obtaining written consent from the individual. Prescription lists or medical records, including discharge summaries, obtained from the pharmacy or current or previous prescribing provider of health care services that contain (i) the name of the prescribing physician, (ii) the name of the medication with dosage and frequency, and (iii) the date of the prescription shall be sufficient to meet these criteria. Family member statements shall not suffice to meet this requirement.

11. In the absence of such documentation, the current provider shall document all contacts (i.e., telephone, faxes, electronic communication) with the pharmacy or provider of health care services with the following minimum elements: (i) name and title of caller, (ii) name and title of prior professional who was called, (iii) name of organization that the professional works for, (iv) date and time of call, (v) specific prescription confirmed, (vi) name of prescribing physician, (vii) name of medication, and (viii) date of prescription.

12. Only direct face-to-face contacts and services to an individual shall be reimbursable.

13. Any services provided to the individual that are strictly academic in nature shall not be billable. These include, but are not limited to, such basic educational programs as instruction or tutoring in reading, science, mathematics, or GED.

14. Any services provided to individuals that are strictly vocational in nature shall not be billable. However, support activities and activities directly related to assisting an individual to cope with a mental illness to the degree necessary to develop appropriate behaviors for operating in an overall work environment shall be billable.

15. Room and board, custodial care, and general supervision are not components of this service.

16. Provider qualifications. The enrolled provider of mental health skill-building services must be licensed by DBHDS as a provider of mental health community support (defined in 12VAC35-105-20). Individuals employed or contracted by the provider to provide mental health skill-building services must have training in the characteristics of mental illness and appropriate interventions, training strategies, and support methods for persons with mental illness and functional limitations. Mental health skill-building services shall be provided by either an LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, a QMHP-A, a QMHP-C, a QMHP-E, or a QPPMH. The LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, or QMHP-C will supervise the care weekly if delivered by the QMHP-E or QPPMH. Documentation of supervision shall be maintained in the mental health skill-building services record.

17. Mental health skill-building services shall be documented through a daily log of time involved in the delivery of services and a minimum of a weekly summary note of services provided. The provider shall clearly document services provided to detail what occurred during the entire amount of the time billed.

18. If mental health skill-building services are provided in a therapeutic group home or assisted living facility, effective July 1, 2014, there shall be a yearly limit of up to 416 units per fiscal year and a weekly limit of up to eight units per week, with at least half of each week's services provided outside of the group home or assisted living facility. There shall be a daily limit of a maximum of two units. Prior to July 1, 2014, the previous limits shall apply. DMAS or its contractor may authorize additional units of mental health skill-building services that exceed this limit based on documented medical necessity. The ISP shall not include activities that contradict or duplicate those in the treatment plan established by the group home or assisted living facility. The provider shall attempt to coordinate mental health skill-building services with the treatment plan established by the group home or assisted living facility and shall document all coordination activities in the medical record.

19. Limits and exclusions.

a. Therapeutic group home and assisted living facility providers shall not serve as the mental health skill-building services provider for individuals residing in the provider's respective facility. Individuals residing in facilities may, however, receive MHSS from another MHSS agency not affiliated with the owner of the facility in which they reside.

b. Mental health skill-building services shall not be reimbursed for individuals who are receiving in-home residential services or congregate residential services through the Intellectual Disability Waiver or Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities Support Waiver.

c. Mental health skill-building services shall not be reimbursed for individuals who are also receiving independent living skills services, the Department of Social Services independent living program (22VAC40-151), independent living services (22VAC40-131 and 22VAC40-151), or independent living arrangement (22VAC40-131) or any Comprehensive Services Act-funded independent living skills programs.

d. Mental health skill-building services shall not be available to individuals who are receiving treatment foster care (12VAC 30-130-900 et seq.).

e. Mental health skill-building services shall not be available to individuals who reside in intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities or hospitals.

f. Mental health skill-building services shall not be available to individuals who reside in nursing facilities, except for up to 60 days prior to discharge. If the individual has not been discharged from the nursing facility during the 60-day period of services, mental health skill-building services shall be terminated and no further service authorizations shall be available to the individual unless a provider can demonstrate and document that mental health skill-building services are necessary. Such documentation shall include facts demonstrating a change in the individual's circumstances and a new plan for discharge requiring up to 60 days of mental health skill-building services.

g. Mental health skill-building services shall not be available for residents of psychiatric residential treatment centers except for the assessment code H0032 (modifier U8) in the seven days immediately prior to discharge.

h. Mental health skill-building services shall not be reimbursed if personal care services or attendant care services are being received simultaneously, unless justification is provided why this is necessary in the individual's mental health skill-building services record. Medical record documentation shall fully substantiate the need for services when personal care or attendant care services are being provided. This applies to individuals who are receiving additional services through the Intellectual Disability Waiver (12VAC 30-120-1000 et seq.), Individual and Family Developmental Disabilities Support Waiver (12VAC 30-120-700 et seq.), the Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction Waiver (12VAC 30-120-900 et seq.), and EPSDT services (12VAC30-50-130).

i. Mental health skill-building services shall not be duplicative of other services. Providers have a responsibility to ensure that if an individual is receiving additional therapeutic services that there will be coordination of services by either the LMHP, LMHP-R, LMHP-RP, LMHP-S, QMHP-A, QMHP-C, or QMHP-E to avoid duplication of services.

j. Individuals who have organic disorders, such as delirium, dementia, or other cognitive disorders not elsewhere classified, will be prohibited from receiving mental health skill-building services unless their physicians issue a signed and dated statement indicating that the individuals can benefit from this service.

k. Individuals who are not diagnosed with a serious mental health disorder but who have personality disorders or other mental health disorders, or both, that may lead to chronic disability, will not be excluded from the mental health skill-building services eligibility criteria provided that the individual has a primary mental health diagnosis from the list included in 12VAC30-50-226 B 6 b (1) or 12VAC30-50-226 B 6 c (2) and that the provider can document and describe how the individual is expected to actively participate in and benefit from mental health support services.

J. Except as noted in subdivision I 18 of this section and in 12VAC30-50-226 B 6 e, the limits described in this section and in 12VAC30-50-226 shall apply to all service authorization requests submitted to either DMAS or the behavioral health services agency as of July 27, 2016. As of July 27, 2016, all annual limits, weekly limits, daily limits, and reimbursement for services shall apply to all services described in 12VAC30-50-226 regardless of the date upon which service authorization was obtained.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 7, eff. January 22, 1998; amended, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 2004; Volume 31, Issue 9, eff. January 30, 2015; Volume 32, Issue 22, eff. July 27, 2016; Errata, 32:23 VA.R. 3110 July 11, 2016; amended, Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 14, eff. April 14, 2021; Volume 38, Issue 12, eff. March 17, 2022.

12VAC30-60-145. Mental retardation utilization criteria.

Utilization reviews shall include determinations that providers meet all the requirements of Virginia state regulations found in 12VAC30-50-95 through 12VAC30-50-310.

Appropriate use of case management services for persons with mental retardation requires the following conditions to be met:

1. The individual must require case management as documented on the consumer service plan of care which is developed based on appropriate assessment and supporting data. Authorization for case management services shall be initially obtained from DMHMRSAS staff annually.

2. An active client shall be defined as an individual for whom there is a plan of care in effect which requires regular direct or client-related contacts or communication or activity with the client, family, service providers, significant others and other entities including a minimum of one face-to-face contact within a 90-day period.

3. The plan of care shall address the individual's needs in all life areas with consideration of the individual's age, primary disability, level of functioning and other relevant factors.

a. The plan of care shall be reviewed by the case manager every three months to ensure the identified needs are met and the required services are provided. The review will be due by the last day of the third month following the month in which the last review was completed. A grace period will be given up to the last day of the fourth month following the month of the prior review. When the review was completed in a grace period, the next subsequent review shall be scheduled three months from the month the review was due and not the date of the actual review.

b. The need for case management services shall be initially assessed and justified through the development of an annual consumer service plan.

4. The individual's record shall contain adequate documentation concerning progress or lack thereof in meeting the consumer service plan goals.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 7, eff. January 22, 1998; Errata, 14:11 VA.R. 1869 February 16, 1998.

12VAC30-60-147. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 7, eff. January 22, 1998; amended, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 7, eff. February 1, 2004; Volume 30, Issue 12, eff. March 28, 2014; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2017.

12VAC30-60-150. Quality management review of outpatient rehabilitation therapy services.

A. The following general conditions shall apply to reimbursable outpatient rehabilitation therapy services:

1. The covered services and medical necessity criteria as set out in 12VAC30-50-200 shall apply to these outpatient rehabilitation therapy services.

2. Outpatient rehabilitative therapy services, as defined in 42 CFR 440.130, shall be prescribed by a licensed physician or a licensed practitioner of the healing arts, specifically either a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, and be part of a written plan of care.

3. Quality management reviews shall be performed by DMAS or its contractor to ensure that all rehabilitative services provided to Medicaid individuals are medically necessary and appropriate. Services not specifically documented in the individual's medical record as having been rendered shall be deemed not to have been rendered and no reimbursement shall be provided.

B. Covered outpatient rehabilitative therapy services. Rehabilitation services shall be initiated by a physician or licensed practitioner for the evaluation and plan of care. Both require a physician or licensed practitioner signature, title, and full date.

A plan of care for therapy services shall (i) include the specific procedures and modalities to be used, (ii) identify the specific discipline to carry out the plan of care, and (iii) indicate the frequency and duration of services.

C. All practitioners and providers of therapy services shall be required to meet state and federal licensing or certification requirements, or both, as may be applicable.

D. Documentation of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services provided in outpatient settings of acute and rehabilitation hospitals, nursing facilities, home health agencies, and rehabilitation agencies shall at a minimum include:

1. An initial evaluation that describes the clinical signs and symptoms of the individual's condition, including an accurate and complete chronological picture of the individual's clinical course and treatments. The initial evaluation or the reevaluation shall be signed, titled, and dated by the licensed therapist (i) when an individual is initially admitted to a service, (ii) when there is a significant change in the individual's condition, or (iii) when an individual is readmitted to a service.

2. A written plan of care specifically developed for the individual shall be signed, titled, and fully dated by a licensed therapist. Within 21 days of the plan of care start date, the physician or a licensed practitioner shall sign, title, and fully date the plan of care and it shall:

a. Describe specifically the anticipated goal-related improvements in functional level, frequency, and duration of the ordered therapy and the anticipated timeframes necessary to meet these long-term and short-term individual goals, including participation by the appropriate rehabilitation therapist, the individual, and the family or caregiver, as may be appropriate; and

b. Include a discharge plan that contains the anticipated improvements in functional levels and the anticipated timeframes necessary to meet the individual goals:

(1) For outpatient rehabilitative services for acute conditions, as defined in 12VAC30-50-200, the plan of care must be reviewed, updated, and signed and dated at least every 60 days by the licensed therapist and the physician or other licensed practitioner;

(2) For outpatient services for long-term, nonacute conditions, as defined in 12VAC30-50-200, the plan of care must be reviewed, updated, and signed and dated at least every 12 months by the licensed therapist and the physician or other licensed practitioner.

3. The documentation of all treatment rendered to the individual in the progress notes, in accordance with the written plan of care with specific attention to frequency, duration, modality, and the individual's response to treatment. The licensed therapist must sign, title, and fully date all progress notes in the medical record. If therapy assistants provide the treatment under the supervision of a licensed therapist, the assistant shall also sign, title, and fully date the progress notes in the medical record.

4. A description of all changes in the individual's condition, response to the rehabilitative written plan of care, and appropriate revisions to the written plan of care.

5. A discharge summary to be completed by the licensed therapist who is providing the service at the time that the service is terminated, including a description of the individual's response to services, level of independence in carrying out learned skills and abilities, assistive technology necessary to carry out and maintain activities and skills, and recommendations for continued services (i.e., referrals to alternate providers, home maintenance programs, and training to individuals or caregivers).

6. The therapist's signature, title, and full date (month/day/year) shall appear on all documentation; if therapy assistants provide the treatment, under the supervision of a licensed therapist, the supervising licensed therapist must document the findings of the supervisory onsite visit every 30 days.

E. Restrictions.

1. The intentional altering of medical record documentation shall be prohibited and is fraudulent. If corrections are required, the agency's provider-specific guidance documents provide information on the procedures to be used.

2. DMAS shall not reimburse for evaluations provided prior to the date of the physician's or other licensed practitioner's signature. DMAS shall not reimburse for provider-initiated additional reevaluations that are not specific to DMAS requirements and that are in excess of DMAS requirements.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, §§ 11.1 through 11.4, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 22, eff. September 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996; Volume 32, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2016; Volume 40, Issue 26, eff. September 26, 2024.

12VAC30-60-160. Utilization review of case management for recipients of auxiliary grants.

A. Criteria of need for case management services. It shall be the responsibility of the assessor who identifies the individual's need for residential or assisted living in an adult care residence to assess the need for case management services. The case manager shall, at a minimum, update the assessment and make any necessary referrals for service as part of the case management annual visit. Case management services may be initiated at any time during the year that a need is identified.

B. Coverage limits. DMAS shall reimburse for one case management visit per year for every individual who receives an auxiliary grant. For individuals meeting the following ongoing case management criteria, DMAS shall reimburse for one case management visit per calendar quarter:

1. The individual needs the coordination of multiple services and the individual does not currently have support available that is willing to assist in the coordination of and access to services, and a referral to a formal or informal support system will not meet the individual's needs; or

2. The individual has an identified need in his physical environment, support system, financial resources, emotional or physical health which must be addressed to ensure the individual's health and welfare and other formal or informal supports have either been unsuccessful in their efforts or are unavailable to assist the individual in resolving the need.

C. Documentation requirements.

1. The update to the assessment shall be required annually regardless of whether the individual is authorized for ongoing case management.

2. A care plan and documentation of contacts must be maintained by the case manager for persons authorized for ongoing case management.

a. The care plan must be a standardized written description of the needs which cannot be met by the adult care residence and the resident-specific goals, objectives and time frames for completion. This care plan must be updated annually at the time of reassessment, including signature by both the resident and case manager.

b. The case manager shall provide ongoing monitoring and arrangement of services according to the care plan and must maintain documentation recording all contacts made with or on behalf of the resident.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia and Item 396 E 5 of the 1995 Appropriations Act.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-02-3.1300, §§ 12.1 through 12.3, eff. August 1, 1991; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 16, eff. June 1, 1994; Volume 11, Issue 17, eff. July 1, 1995; Volume 12, Issue 16, eff. July 1, 1996.

12VAC30-60-170. Utilization review of treatment foster care case management services.

A. Service description and provider qualifications. Treatment foster care (TFC) case management is a community-based program where treatment services are designed to address the special needs of children. TFC case management focuses on a continuity of services, and is goal directed and results oriented. Services shall not include room and board. Child-placing agencies licensed or certified by the Virginia Department of Social Services and that meet the provider qualifications for treatment foster care set forth in Part XV (12VAC 30-130-900 et seq.) of this chapter shall provide these services.

B. Utilization control.

1. Assessment. Each child referred for TFC case management must be assessed by a Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) under the Comprehensive Services Act or by an interdisciplinary team approved by the State Executive Council. For purposes of high-quality case management services, the team must (i) assess the child's immediate and long-range therapeutic needs, developmental priorities, and personal strengths and liabilities; (ii) assess the potential for reunification of the child's family; (iii) set treatment objectives; and (iv) prescribe therapeutic modalities to achieve the plan's objectives.

2. Qualified assessors. A qualified assessor is a Family Assessment and Planning Team as authorized under §§ 2.2-5207, 2.2-5208, and 2.2-5209 of the Code of Virginia.

3. Preauthorization. Preauthorization shall be required for Medicaid payment of TFC case management services for each admission to this service and will be conducted by DMAS or its utilization management contractor. When service is authorized, an initial length of stay will be assigned. The provider must request authorization for continued stay. Failure to obtain authorization of Medicaid reimbursement for this service within 10 days of admission will result in denial of payments or recovery of expenditures.

4. Medical necessity criteria. Children whose conditions meet this medical necessity criteria will be eligible for Medicaid payment for TFC case management. TFC case management will serve children younger than 21 years of age in treatment foster care who are seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) or children with behavioral disorders who, in the absence of such programs, would be at risk for placement into more restrictive residential settings, such as psychiatric hospitals, correctional facilities, residential treatment programs, or group homes. The child must have a documented moderate to severe impairment and moderate to severe risk factors as recorded on a state-designated uniform assessment instrument. The child's condition must meet one of the three levels described below.

a. Level I: Moderate impairment with one or more of the following moderate risk factors as documented on the state-designated uniform assessment instrument:

(1) Needs intensive supervision to prevent harmful consequences;

(2) Moderate or frequent disruptive or noncompliant behaviors in home setting that increase the risk to self or others;

(3) Needs assistance of trained professionals as caregivers.

b. Level II: Child must display a significant impairment with problems with authority, impulsivity, and caregiver issues as documented on the state-designated uniform assessment instrument. For example, the child must:

(1) Be unable to handle the emotional demands of family living;

(2) Need 24-hour immediate response to crisis behaviors; or

(3) Have severe disruptive peer and authority interactions that increase risk and impede growth.

c. Level III: Child must display a significant impairment with severe risk factors as documented on the state-designated uniform assessment instrument. Child must demonstrate risk behaviors that create significant risk of harm to self or others.

5. TFC case management admission documentation required. Before Medicaid preauthorization will be granted, the referring entity must submit the following documentation. The documentation will be evaluated by DMAS or its designee to determine whether the child's condition meets the department's medical necessity criteria.

a. A completed state-designated uniform assessment instrument;

b. Diagnosis based on nationally recognized criteria;

c. A description of the child's immediate behavior prior to admission;

d. A description of alternative placements tried or explored;

e. The child's functional level;

f. Clinical stability;

g. The level of family support available;

h. Initial plan of care; and

i. One of the following:

(1) Written documentation that the Community Planning and Management Team (CPMT) has approved the admission to treatment foster care; or

(2) Certification by the FAPT that TFC case management is medically necessary.

6. Penalty for failure to obtain preauthorization or to prepare and maintain the previously described documentation. The failure to obtain authorization for this service within 10 days of admission or to develop and maintain the documentation enumerated in subdivision 5 of this subsection will result in denial of payments or recovery of expenditures.

C. Noncovered services. Permanency planning and other activities performed by foster care workers shall not be considered covered services and shall not be reimbursed.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 17, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 7, eff. January 16, 2002; Volume 40, Issue 26, eff. September 26, 2024.

12VAC30-60-180. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 8, eff. January 21, 2010; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2017.

12VAC30-60-181. Utilization review of addiction and recovery treatment services.

A. Providers shall be required to maintain documentation detailing all relevant information about the Medicaid individuals who are in the provider's care. Such documentation shall fully disclose the extent of services provided in order to support provider's claims for reimbursement for services rendered. This documentation shall be written and dated at the time the services are rendered. Claims that are not adequately supported by appropriate up-to-date documentation may be subject to recovery of expenditures.

B. Utilization reviews shall be conducted by the Department of Medical Assistance Services or its designated contractor.

C. Service authorizations shall be required for American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Levels 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, and 4.0.

D. A multidimensional assessment by a credentialed addiction treatment professional (CATP), as defined in 12VAC 30-130-5020, shall be required for ASAM Levels 1.0 through 4.0. Certified substance abuse counselors (CSACs) and CSAC-supervisees are able to complete a multidimensional assessment under supervision to make recommendations for an ASAM level of care, which shall be signed and dated by a CATP within three business days. The multidimensional assessment shall be maintained in the individual's record by the provider. Medical necessity for all ASAM levels of care shall be based on the outcome of the individual's multidimensional assessment.

E. Individual service plans (ISPs) and treatment plans shall be developed upon admission to medically managed intensive inpatient services (ASAM Level 4.0), substance use residential and inpatient services (ASAM Levels 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, and 3.7), and substance use intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs (ASAM Levels 2.1 and 2.5). ISPs or treatment plans shall be developed upon initiation of opioid treatment services (OTP), office-based addiction treatment (OBAT), and substance use outpatient services (ASAM Level 1.0).

1. The provider shall include the individual and the family or caregiver, as may be appropriate, in the development of the ISP or treatment plan. To the extent that the individual's condition requires assistance for participation, assistance shall be provided. The ISP shall be updated at least annually and as the individual's needs and progress change. An ISP that is not updated either annually or as the individual's needs and progress change shall be considered outdated.

2. All ISPs shall be completed and contemporaneously signed and dated by the CATP preparing the ISP. The ISP may be completed by a CSAC or CSAC-supervisee under supervision if the CATP signs and dates the ISP within three business days.

3. The child's or adolescent's ISP shall also be signed by the parent or legal guardian, and the adult individual shall sign his own ISP. If the individual, whether a child, adolescent, or adult, is unwilling or unable to sign the ISP, then the service provider shall document the reasons why the individual was not able or willing to sign the ISP.

F. A comprehensive ISP, as defined in 12VAC 30-130-5020, shall be fully developed within 30 calendar days of the initiation of services. The comprehensive ISP shall be developed with the individual, in consultation with the individual's family, as appropriate, and shall address (i) a summary or reference to the individual's identified needs; (ii) short-term and long-term goals and measurable objectives for addressing each identified individually specific need; (iii) services and supports and frequency of services to accomplish the goals and objectives; (iv) target dates for accomplishment of goals and objectives; (v) estimated duration of service; (vi) medication assisted treatment assessment, which shall be provided onsite or through referral; and (vii) the role of other agencies if the plan is a shared responsibility and the staff designated as responsible for the coordination and integration of services. The ISP shall be reviewed at least every 90 calendar days and shall be modified as the needs and progress of the individual change. Documentation of the ISP review shall include the dated signatures of the CATP and the individual. CSACs and CSAC-supervisees may perform the ISP reviews if a CATP signs and dates the ISP review within three business days.

G. Progress notes, as defined in 12VAC 30-60-185, shall disclose the extent of services provided and corroborate the units billed. Each progress note shall be individualized to the member to demonstrate the individual member's particular circumstances, treatment, and progress. Claim payments shall be retracted for services that are not supported by documentation that is individualized to the member.

H. Documentation shall include assessment and referral for medication assisted treatment as medically indicated. This shall include prescriptions for naloxone.

I. Health care entities with provisional licenses issued by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall not be reimbursed as Medicaid providers.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2017; amended, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 11, eff. March 5, 2020; Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. December 8, 2022.

12VAC30-60-185. Utilization review of substance use case management.

A. Definitions. The following words and terms when used in this section shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Face-to-face" means the same as that term is defined in 12VAC 30-130-5020.

"Individual service plan" or "ISP" means the same as the term is defined in 12VAC 30-130-5020.

"Progress notes" means individual-specific documentation that contains the unique differences particular to the individual's circumstances, treatment, and progress that is also signed and contemporaneously dated by the provider's professional staff who have prepared the notes and are part of the minimum documentation requirements that convey the individual's status, staff intervention, and as appropriate, the individual's progress or lack of progress toward goals and objectives in the ISP. The progress notes shall also include, at a minimum, the name of the service rendered, the date of the service rendered, the signature and credentials of the person who rendered the service, the setting in which the service was rendered, and the amount of time or units or hours required to deliver the service. The content of each progress note shall corroborate the time or units billed for each rendered service. Progress notes shall be documented for each service that is billed.

"Register" or "registration" means notifying the Department of Medical Assistance Services or its contractor that an individual will be receiving services that do not require service authorization, such as outpatient services for substance use disorders or substance use case management.

B. Utilization review: substance use case management services.

1. The Medicaid-enrolled individual shall have a substance use disorder diagnosis based on nationally recognized criteria. Tobacco-related disorders or caffeine-related disorders and non-substance-related disorders shall not be covered.

2. Reimbursement shall be provided only for "active" case management. An active client for substance use case management shall mean an individual for whom there is a current substance use ISP in effect that requires a minimum of two distinct substance use case management activities being performed each calendar month and at a minimum one face-to-face client contact at least every 90-calendar-day period.

3. Billing can be submitted for an active recipient only for months in which a minimum of two distinct substance use case management activities are performed.

4. An ISP shall be completed within 30 calendar days of initiation of this service with the individual in a person-centered manner and shall document the need for active substance use case management before such case management services can be billed. The ISP shall require a minimum of two distinct substance use case management activities being performed each calendar month and a minimum of one face-to-face client contact at least every 90 calendar days. The substance use case manager shall review the ISP with the individual at least every 90 calendar days for the purpose of evaluating and updating the individual's progress toward meeting the individualized service plan objectives.

5. The ISP shall be reviewed with the individual present, and the outcome of the review shall be documented in the individual's medical record.

C. Utilization review: substance use case management services.

1. Utilization review general requirements. Utilization reviews shall be conducted by DMAS or its designated contractor. Reimbursement shall be provided only when there is an active ISP, a minimum of two distinct substance use case management activities are performed each calendar month, and there is a minimum of one face-to-face client contact at least every 90-calendar-day period. Billing can be submitted only for months in which a minimum of two distinct substance use case management activities are performed within the calendar month.

2. In order to receive reimbursement, providers shall register this service with the managed care organization or the DMAS contractor, as required, within one business day of service initiation to avoid duplication of services and to ensure informed and seamless care coordination between substance use treatment and substance use case management providers.

3. The Medicaid-eligible individual shall meet the nationally recognized criteria for a substance use disorder with the exception of tobacco-related disorders or caffeine-related disorders and non-substance-related disorders.

4. Substance use case management shall not be billed for individuals in institutions for mental disease, except during the month prior to discharge to allow for discharge planning, limited to two months within a 12-month period. Substance use case management shall not be billed concurrently with any other type of Medicaid reimbursed case management and care coordination.

5. The ISP, as defined in 12VAC 30-130-5020, shall document the need for substance use case management and be fully completed within 30 calendar days of initiation of the service, and the substance use case manager shall review the ISP at least every 90 calendar days. Such reviews shall be documented in the individual's medical record. If needed, a grace period will be granted following the date of the last review. When the review is completed in a grace period, the next subsequent review shall be scheduled 90 calendar days from the date the review was initially due and not the date of actual review.

6. The ISP shall be updated and documented in the individual's medical record at least annually and as an individual's needs change.

7. The provider of substance use case management services shall be licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services as a provider of substance use case management and credentialed by the DMAS contractor or the managed care organization as a provider of substance use case management services.

8. Progress notes, as defined in subsection A of this section, shall be required to disclose the extent of services provided and corroborate the units billed.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 8, eff. January 21, 2010; amended, Virginia Register Volume 33, Issue 12, eff. April 1, 2017; Volume 36, Issue 11, eff. March 5, 2020; Volume 40, Issue 26, eff. September 26, 2024.

12VAC30-60-200. Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA) basic coverage group: alternative benefits for Medicaid Buy-In program.

A. The state elects to provide alternative benefits under § 1937 of the Social Security Act. The alternative benefit package will be available statewide.

B. The population who will be offered opt-in alternative coverage and who will be informed of the available benefit options prior to having the option to voluntarily enroll in an alternative benefit package consists of working individuals with disabilities enrolled pursuant to the Social Security Act, § 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XV) (Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act) covered group or who meet the income, resource and eligibility requirements for the § 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XV) covered group.

C. Medicaid Buy-In: program outreach.

1. Future Medicaid Works solicitations will be geared towards individuals who are currently covered in the SSI and blind and disabled 80% federal poverty level groups; the letter will be an invitation to consider going to work, or to increase how much they work, and inform them that they will still be able to keep their Medicaid health care coverage.

2. They will be advised that this is voluntary and will enable them to earn higher income and retain more assets from their earnings. It will also explain that this option includes an alternative benefits package comprised of their regular Medicaid benefits plus personal assistance services for those who need personal assistance and related services in order to live and work in the community. It will be clearly stated that this program is optional. Their local eligibility worker will be able to review the advantages and disadvantages of this option in order to assist individuals in making an informed choice.

3. Current Medicaid Works enrollees will each receive personal communication by mail advising them of the new alternative benefits package and the steps needed in order to access personal assistance services. Should an enrolled individual be dissatisfied with this option or be unable to continue to be employed, their eligibility worker will reevaluate eligibility for other covered groups pursuant to changing the individual back to regular Medicaid coverage and, if necessary, to accessing personal assistance and related services through the existing home-based and community-based services waivers.

4. Brochures describing this work incentive opportunity and alternative benefits option shall be prominently displayed and readily available at local departments of social services.

D. Description of Medicaid Buy-In alternative benefit package.

1. The state will offer an alternative benefit package that the secretary determines provides appropriate coverage for the population served.

2. This alternative benefits package includes all federally mandated and optional Medicaid State Plan services, as described and limited in 12VAC30-50, plus personal assistance services (PAS) for enrollees who otherwise meet the standards to receive PAS, defined as follows:

a. "Personal assistance services" or "PAS" means support services provided in home and community settings necessary to maintain or improve an individual's current health status. Personal care services are defined as help with activities of daily living, monitoring of self-administered medications, and the monitoring of health status and physical condition.

b. These services may be provided in home and community settings to enable an individual to maintain the health status and functional skills necessary to live in the community or participate in community activities. An additional component of PAS is work-related and postsecondary education personal services. This service will extend the ability of the personal assistance attendant to provide assistance in the workplace.

c. These services include filing, retrieving work materials that are out of reach; providing travel assistance for an individual with a mobility impairment; helping an individual with organizational skills; reading handwritten mail to an individual with a visual impairment; or ensuring that a sign language interpreter is present during staff meetings to accommodate an employee with a hearing impairment.

d. This service is only available to individuals who also require personal assistance services to meet their ADLs. Workplace or school supports are not provided if they are services provided by the Department of Rehabilitative Services, under IDEA, or if they are an employer's responsibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act or § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

e. Following an individual's assessment of the need for PAS and development of a plan of care, the individual will decide whether to have PAS through a personal care agency or whether to self direct his care. For individuals who choose consumer-directed care, DMAS will provide for the services of a fiscal agent to perform certain tasks as an agent for the individual/employer who is receiving consumer-directed services. The fiscal agent will handle certain responsibilities for the individual, including but not limited to, employment taxes.

f. All governmental and private PAS providers are reimbursed according to the same published fee schedule, located on the agency's website at the following address: http://www.dmas.virginia.gov/pr-fee_files.htm. The agency's rates, based upon one-hour increments, were set as of July 1, 2006, and are effective for services on or after said dates. The agency's rates are updated periodically.

E. Wrap-around/additional services.

1. The state assures that wrap-around or additional benefits will be provided for individuals under 21 years of age who are covered under the state plan pursuant to § 1902(a)(10)(A) of the Social Security Act to ensure early and periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment (EPSDT) services are provided when medically necessary.

2. Wrap-around benefits must be sufficient so that, in combination with the Medicaid Buy-In package, these individuals receive the full EPSDT benefit, as medically necessary. The wrap-around services provided are described in 12VAC30-50-130.

F. Delivery system.

1. The alternative benefit package will be furnished through a combination of the following methods:

a. On a fee-for-service basis consistent with the requirements of § 1902(a) and implementing regulations relating to payment and beneficiary free choice of provider;

b. Through a managed care entity consistent with applicable managed care requirements; or

c. Through premium assistance for benchmark-equivalent in employer-sponsored coverage.

2. Personal assistance services will always be fee-for-service, whereas all other Medicaid-covered services shall be through one of two models: fee-for-service or through managed care organizations.

G. Additional assurances.

1. The state assures that individuals will have access, through the Medicaid Buy-In alternative benefit package, to rural health clinic (RHC) services and federally qualified health center (FQHC) services as defined in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of § 1905(a)(2).

2. The state assures that payment for RHC and FQHC services is made in accordance with the requirements of § 1902(bb) of the Social Security Act.

H. Cost effectiveness of plans: the Medicaid Buy-In alternative benefit package and any additional benefits must be provided in accordance with economy and efficiency principles.

I. Compliance with the law: The state will continue to comply with all other provisions of the Social Security Act in the administration of the state plan under this title.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. July 23, 2009; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 12, eff. March 28, 2014.

12VAC30-60-300. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-03-3.1301 § 1, eff. June 29, 1994; amended, Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2002; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018.

12VAC30-60-301. Definitions.

The following words and terms as used in 12VAC 30-60-302 through 12VAC 30-60-315 shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Activities of daily living" or "ADLs" means personal care tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and eating or feeding. An individual's degree of independence in performing these activities is a part of determining appropriate level of care and service needs.

"Acute care hospital" or "hospital" means an acute care hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a rehabilitation unit in an acute care hospital, or a psychiatric unit in an acute care hospital.

"Adult" means a person 18 years of age or older who may need Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports (LTSS) or who becomes functionally eligible to receive Medicaid-funded LTSS.

"Appeal" means the processes used to challenge actions regarding services, benefits, and reimbursement provided by Medicaid pursuant to 12VAC 30-110 and Part XII (12VAC 30-20-500 et seq.) of 12VAC 30-20.

"At risk" means the need for the level of care provided in a hospital or nursing facility when there is reasonable indication that the individual is expected to need the services within the next 30 days in the absence of home or community-based services.

"Child" means a person up to 18 years of age who may need Medicaid-funded LTSS or who becomes functionally eligible to receive Medicaid-funded LTSS.

"Choice" means the individual is provided the option of either the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus Waiver, the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), if available and appropriate, or institutional services and supports after the individual has been determined likely to need LTSS.

"Communication" means all forms of sharing information and includes oral speech and augmented or alternative communication used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas, such as the use of a communication device, interpreter, gestures, and picture or symbol communication boards.

"Community-based team" or "CBT" means (i) a registered nurse or nurse practitioner, (ii) a social worker or other assessor designated by DMAS, and (iii) a physician. The CBT members are employees of, or contracted with, the Virginia Department of Health or the local department of social services. The authorization or denial for Medicaid LTSS (DMAS-96 form) is signed and attested to by the screener and physician members of the CBT.

"CSB" means a local community services board.

"DARS" means the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

"Day" means calendar day unless specified otherwise.

"DBHDS" means the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

"DMAS" means the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

"DMAS designee" means the public or private entity with a contract with the Department of Medical Assistance Services to complete LTSS screenings pursuant to § 32.1-330 of the Code of Virginia when an LTSS screening team cannot complete LTSS screenings within the required 30 days of the LTSS screening request date.

"eMLS" means the DMAS electronic Medicaid long-term services and supports screening record system used by LTSS screening entities to record results from LTSS screenings pursuant to § 32.1-330 of the Code of Virginia.

"Face-to-face" means an in-person meeting with the individual seeking Medicaid-funded LTSS.

"Feasible alternative" means a range of services that can be provided in the community via waiver or PACE, for less than the cost of comparable institutional care, in order to enable an individual to continue living in the community.

"Functional capacity" means the degree of independence that an individual has in performing ADLs, as measured on the UAI and as used as a basis for differentiating levels of long-term services and supports.

"Functional eligibility" means the demonstrable degree to which an individual requires assistance with activities of daily living.

"Home and community-based services" means community-based waiver services or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

"Home and community-based services provider" means a provider or agency enrolled with Virginia Medicaid to offer services to individuals eligible for the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus waiver services or PACE.

"Home and community-based services waiver," "HCBS," or "waiver services" means the range of community services and supports 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.

"Hospital screening team" means persons designated by the hospital who are responsible for conducting and submitting the LTSS screening documents for inpatients to eMLS. The authorization or denial for Medicaid LTSS (DMAS-96 form) is signed and attested to by the screener and physician members of the hospital team.

"Inpatient" means an individual who has a physician's order for admission to an acute care hospital, rehabilitation hospital, or a rehabilitation unit in an acute care hospital and shall not apply to outpatients, patients in observation beds, or patients of the hospital's emergency department.

"Local department of social services" or "LDSS" means the entity established under § 63.2-324 of the Code of Virginia by the governing city or county in the Commonwealth.

"Local health department" or "LHD" means the entity established under § 32.1-31 of the Code of Virginia.

"Long-term services and supports" or "LTSS" means a variety of services that help individuals with health or personal care needs and ADLs over a period of time that can be provided in the home, the community, or nursing facilities.

"Long-term services and supports screening" or "LTSS screening" means the face-to-face process to (i) evaluate the functional, medical or nursing, and social support needs and at-risk status of individuals referred for certain long-term services requiring nursing facility level of care eligibility; (ii) assist individuals in determining what specific services the individual needs; (iii) evaluate whether a service or a combination of existing community services are available to meet the individual's needs; and (iv) provide a list to individuals of appropriate providers for Medicaid-funded nursing facility, PACE plan services, or the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus waiver for those individuals who meet nursing facility level of care.

"Long-term services and supports screening team" or "LTSS screening team" means the hospital LTSS screening team, community-based team (CBT), nursing facility LTSS screening team, or DMAS designee contracted to perform screenings pursuant to § 32.1-330 of the Code of Virginia.

"Managed care organization" or "MCO" means a health plan selected to participate in the Commonwealth's CCC Plus program and that is a party to a contract with DMAS.

"Medicaid" means the program set out in 42 USC § 1396 et seq. and administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services consistent with Chapter 10 (§ 32.1-323 et seq.) of Title 32.1 of the Code of Virginia.

"Medical or nursing need" means (i) the individual's condition requires observation and assessment to ensure evaluation of needs due to an inability for self-observation or evaluation; (ii) the individual has complex medical conditions that may be unstable or have the potential for instability; or (iii) the individual requires at least one ongoing medical or nursing service.

"Medicare" means the Health Insurance for the Aged and Disabled program as administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services pursuant to 42 USC 1395ggg.

"Minimum data set" or "MDS" means the assessment form used by nursing facilities, as federally required, for the purpose of documenting ongoing level of care required for all of an NF's residents.

"Nursing facility" or "NF" means any nursing home as defined in § 32.1-123 of the Code of Virginia.

"Nursing facility LTSS screening team" means nursing facility staff trained and certified in the use of the LTSS screening tools who are responsible for performing LTSS screenings for individuals who apply for or request LTSS while receiving skilled nursing services in a setting not covered by Medicaid and after discharge from a hospital. Nursing facility LTSS screening teams include at least one registered nurse and a certifying physician. The authorization or denial for Medicaid LTSS (DMAS-96 form) is signed and attested to by the screeners and physician members of the nursing facility LTSS screening team.

"Ongoing" means continuous medical or nursing needs that are not temporary.

"Other assessor designated by DMAS" means an employee of the local department of social services holding the occupational title of family services specialist or an employee of a DMAS designee.

"Private pay individual" means individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid or not expected to become eligible for Medicaid and have alternate payment sources for care.

"Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly" or "PACE" means the community-based service pursuant to § 32.1-330.3 of the Code of Virginia.

"Provider" means an individual professional or an agency enrolled with Virginia Medicaid to offer services to eligible individuals.

"Referral for LTSS screening" means information obtained from an interested person or other third party having knowledge of an individual who may need Medicaid-funded LTSS and may include, for example, a physician, PACE provider, service provider, family member, or neighbor who is able to provide sufficient information to enable contact with the individual.

"Representative" means a person who is legally authorized to make decisions on behalf of the individual.

"Request date for LTSS screening" or "request date" means the date (i) that an individual, an emancipated child, the individual's representative, an adult protective services worker, child protective services worker, physician, or the managed care organization (MCO) (health plan) care coordinator contacts the LTSS screening entity in the jurisdiction where the individual resides asking for assistance with LTSS, or (ii) for hospital inpatients, that a physician orders case management consultation or a hospital's case management service determines the need for LTSS upon discharge from the hospital.

"Request for LTSS screening" means (i) communication from an individual, an emancipated child, individual's representative, adult protective services worker, child protective services worker, physician, managed care organization (MCO) care coordinator, or CSB support coordinator, expressing the need for LTSS or (ii) for hospital inpatients, a physician order for case management consultation or case management determination of the need for LTSS upon discharge from a hospital.

"Residence" means the location in which an individual is living, for example, an individual's private home, apartment, assisted living facility, nursing facility, jail or correctional facility.

"Screening entity" means the employer of the hospital LTSS screening team, community-based team, nursing facility LTSS screening team, or DMAS designee contracted to perform screenings pursuant to § 32.1-330 of the Code of Virginia.

"Significant change in condition" means a change in an individual's condition that is expected to last longer than 30 days and does not include (i) short-term changes that resolve with or without intervention; (ii) a short-term illness or episodic event; or (iii) a well-established, predictive, cyclic pattern of clinical signs and symptoms associated with a previously diagnosed condition where an appropriate course of treatment is in progress.

"Submission" means the transmission of the LTSS screening findings via eMLS, the electronic portal for LTSS screenings.

"Uniform Assessment Instrument" or "UAI" means the standardized multidimensional assessment instrument that is completed by the LTSS screening team that assesses an individual's physical health, mental health, and psycho/social and functional abilities to determine if the individual meets the nursing facility level of care.

"VDH" means the Virginia Department of Health.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2024.

12VAC30-60-302. Access to Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports.

A. Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports (LTSS) may be provided in either home and community-based or institutional-based settings. To receive LTSS, the individual's condition shall first be evaluated using the designated assessment instrument, the Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI), and other DMAS-designated forms. LTSS screening teams shall also use the DMAS-designated forms (DMAS-96 and DMAS-97), and if selecting nursing facility placement, the DMAS-95 Level I. If screening must be completed and if indicated by the DMAS-95 Level I results, the individual shall be referred to DBHDS for completion of the DMAS-95 Level II evaluation and determination prior to admission to the nursing facility. For private duty nursing services under the Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus waiver, the DMAS-108 (adult), or the DMAS-109 (pediatric), shall be used to document needs.

1. An individual's need for LTSS shall meet the established criteria (12VAC 30-60-303) before any authorization for reimbursement by Medicaid or its designee is made for LTSS.

2. Appropriate home and community-based services shall be evaluated as an option for long-term services and supports prior to consideration of nursing facility placement.

B. The evaluation shall be the LTSS screening as designated in § 32.1-330 of the Code of Virginia, which, if eligible, shall preauthorize a continuum of LTSS covered by Medicaid. These LTSS screenings shall be conducted face to face.

1. Such LTSS screenings, using the UAI, shall be conducted by teams of representatives of (i) acute care hospitals for individuals (adults and children) who are inpatients; (ii) local departments of social services and local health departments, known in this part as CBTs, for adults and children residing in the community and who are not inpatients; (iii) a DMAS designee for adults and children residing in the community or hospital inpatients who cannot be screened by the LTSS screening team within 30 days of the request date; and (iv) nursing facility LTSS screening teams for individuals receiving skilled or rehabilitative nursing services that are not covered by Medicaid in an institutional setting following discharge from an acute care hospital. Hospitals, CBTs, and DMAS designees shall be contracted with DMAS or authorized by DMAS to perform this activity and be reimbursed by DMAS.

2. All LTSS screenings shall be comprehensive, accurate, standardized, and reproducible evaluations of individual functional capacities, medical or nursing needs, and whether the individual is at risk for institutional placement within 30 days of the LTSS screening.

C. Individuals shall not be required to be financially eligible for receipt of Medicaid or have submitted an application for Medicaid in order to be screened for LTSS for admission to either an NF or home and community-based services.

D. Pursuant to § 32.1-330 of the Code of Virginia, every individual who applies for or requests Medicaid community or institutional long-term services and supports shall be screened prior to admission to such community or institutional LTSS to determine the individual's need for long-term services and supports, including nursing facility services.

E. Special circumstances.

1. Private pay individuals who seek admission to a Virginia nursing facility shall not be required to have an LTSS screening in order to be admitted to the NF.

2. Individuals who reside out of state and seek direct admission to a Virginia nursing facility shall not be required to have an LTSS screening. Individuals who need an LTSS screening for HCBS waiver or PACE programs and request the LTSS screening shall be screened by the CBT serving the locality in which the individual resides once the individual has relocated to the Commonwealth.

3. Individuals who are inpatients in an out-of-state hospital, in-state or out-of-state veteran's hospital, or in-state or out-of-state military hospital and seek direct admission to a Virginia NF shall not be required to have an LTSS screening. Individuals who need an LTSS screening for HCBS waiver or PACE programs and request the LTSS screening shall be referred, upon discharge from one of the identified facilities, to the CBT serving the locality in which the individual resides once the individual has relocated to the Commonwealth.

4. Individuals who are patients or residents of a state owned or operated facility and seek direct admission to a Virginia NF shall not be required to have an LTSS screening. Individuals who need an LTSS screening for HCBS waiver or PACE and request the LTSS screening shall be referred, upon discharge from the facility, to the CBT serving the locality in which the individual resides.

5. An LTSS screening shall not be required for enrollment in Medicaid hospice services as set out in 12VAC30-50-270 or home health services as set out in 12VAC30-50-160.

F. Failure to comply with DMAS requirements, including competency and training requirements applicable to staff, may result in retraction of Medicaid payments.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2024; Errata, 41:2 VA.R. 430 August 26, 2024.

12VAC30-60-303. Screening criteria for Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports.

A. Functional capacity alone shall not be deemed sufficient to demonstrate the need for nursing facility care admission or authorization for home and community-based services and supports. An individual shall be determined to meet the nursing facility level of care criteria when:

1. The individual has limited functional capacity and medical or nursing needs and is at risk of NF admission within 30 days according to the requirements of this section; or

2. The individual is rated dependent in some functional limitations but does not meet the functional capacity requirements, and the individual requires the daily direct services or supervision of a licensed nurse that cannot be managed on an outpatient basis (e.g., clinic, physician visits, home health services).

B. In order to qualify for Medicaid-funded LTSS, the individual shall meet the following criteria:

1. The criteria for screening an individual's eligibility for Medicaid reimbursement of NF services shall consist of three components: (i) functional capacity (the degree of assistance an individual requires to complete ADLs), (ii) medical or nursing needs, and (iii) the individual's risk of NF admission within 30 days of the LTSS screening date. The rating of functional dependency on the UAI shall be based on the individual's ability to function in a community environment and exclude all institutionally induced dependencies.

2. In order for Medicaid-funded community-based LTSS to be authorized, an individual shall not be required to be physically admitted to an NF. The criteria for screening an individual's eligibility for Medicaid reimbursement of community-based services shall consist of three components: (i) functional capacity, (ii) medical or nursing needs, and (iii) the individual's risk of NF placement within 30 days in the absence of community-based services.

C. Functional capacity.

1. When documented on a UAI that is completed in a manner consistent with the definitions of activities of daily living (ADLs) and directions provided by DMAS for the rating of those activities, individuals may be considered to meet the functional capacity requirements for nursing facility care when one of the following describes the individual's functional capacity:

a. Rated dependent in two or more of the ADLs, and also rated semi-dependent or dependent in Behavior Pattern and Orientation, and semi-dependent or dependent in Joint Motion or dependent in Medication Administration.

b. Rated dependent in five to seven of the ADLs, and also rated dependent in Mobility.

c. Rated semi-dependent or dependent in two to seven of the ADLs, and also rated dependent in Mobility and Behavior Pattern and Orientation.

2. The rating of functional capacity on the LTSS screening instrument shall be based on the individual's ability to function in a community environment, not including any institutionally induced dependence. The following abbreviations shall mean: I = independent; d = semi-dependent; D = dependent; MH = mechanical help; HH = human help.

a. Bathing.

(1) Without help (I)

(2) MH only (d)

(3) HH only (D)

(4) MH and HH (D)

(5) Performed by Others (D)

(6) Is not Performed (D)

b. Dressing.

(1) Without help (I)

(2) MH only (d)

(3) HH only (D)

(4) MH and HH (D)

(5) Performed by Others (D)

(6) Is not Performed (D)

c. Toileting.

(1) Without help day or night (I)

(2) MH only (d)

(3) HH only (D)

(4) MH and HH (D)

(5) Performed by Others (D)

(6) Is not Performed (D)

d. Transferring.

(1) Without help (I)

(2) MH only (d)

(3) HH only (D)

(4) MH and HH (D)

(5) Performed by Others (D)

(6) Is not Performed (D)

e. Bowel function.

(1) Continent (I)

(2) Incontinent less than weekly (d)

(3) External/Indwelling Device/Ostomy -- self-care (d)

(4) Incontinent weekly or more (D)

(5) Ostomy -- not self-care (D)

f. Bladder function.

(1) Continent (I)

(2) Incontinent less than weekly (d)

(3) External device/Indwelling Catheter/Ostomy -- self-care (d)

(4) Incontinent weekly or more (D)

(5) External device -- not self-care (D)

(6) Indwelling catheter -- not self-care (D)

(7) Ostomy -- not self-care (D)

g. Eating/Feeding.

(1) Without help (I)

(2) MH only (d)

(3) HH only (D)

(4) MH and HH (D)

(5) Spoon fed (D)

(6) Syringe or tube fed (D)

(7) Fed by IV or clysis (D)

h. Behavior pattern and orientation.

(1) Appropriate or Wandering/Passive less than weekly + Oriented (I)

(2) Appropriate or Wandering/Passive less than weekly + Disoriented -- Some Spheres (I)

(3) Wandering/Passive Weekly/or more + Oriented (I)

(4) Appropriate or Wandering/Passive less than weekly + Disoriented -- All Spheres (d)

(5) Wandering/Passive Weekly/Some or more + Disoriented -- All Spheres (d)

(6) Abusive/Aggressive/Disruptive less than weekly + Oriented or Disoriented (I)

(7) Abusive/Aggressive/Disruptive weekly or more + Oriented (d)

(8) Abusive/Aggressive/Disruptive + Disoriented -- All Spheres (D)

i. Mobility.

(1) Goes outside without help (I)

(2) Goes outside MH only (d)

(3) Goes outside HH only (D)

(4) Goes outside MH and HH (D)

(5) Confined -- moves about (D)

(6) Confined -- does not move about (D)

j. Medication administration.

(1) No medications (I)

(2) Self administered -- monitored less than weekly (I)

(3) By lay persons, Administered/Monitored (D)

(4) By Licensed/Professional nurse Administered/Monitored (D)

k. Joint motion.

(1) Within normal limits or instability corrected (I)

(2) Limited motion (d)

(3) Instability -- uncorrected or immobile (D)

D. Medical or nursing needs. An individual with medical or nursing needs is an individual whose health needs require medical or nursing supervision or care above the level that could be provided through assistance with ADLs, medication administration, and general supervision and is not primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases. Medical or nursing supervision or care beyond this level is required when any one of the following describes the individual's need for medical or nursing supervision:

1. The individual's medical condition requires observation and assessment to ensure evaluation of the individual's need for modification of treatment or additional medical procedures to prevent destabilization, and the person has demonstrated an inability to self-observe or evaluate the need to contact skilled medical professionals;

2. Due to the complexity created by the individual's multiple, interrelated medical conditions, the potential for the individual's medical instability is high or medical instability exists; or

3. The individual requires at least one ongoing medical or nursing service. The following is a nonexclusive list of medical or nursing services that may, but need not necessarily, indicate a need for medical or nursing supervision or care:

a. Application of aseptic dressings;

b. Routine catheter care;

c. Respiratory therapy;

d. Supervision for adequate nutrition and hydration for individuals who show clinical evidence of malnourishment or dehydration or have recent history of weight loss or inadequate hydration that, if not supervised, would be expected to result in malnourishment or dehydration;

e. Therapeutic exercise and positioning;

f. Routine care of colostomy or ileostomy or management of neurogenic bowel and bladder;

g. Use of physical (e.g., side rails, posey vests, geri-chairs, locked units) or chemical restraints (e.g., overuse of sedatives), or both;

h. Routine skin care to prevent pressure ulcers for individuals who are immobile or whose medical condition increases the risk of skin breakdown;

i. Care of small uncomplicated pressure ulcers and local skin rashes;

j. Management of those with sensory, metabolic, or circulatory impairment with demonstrated clinical evidence of medical instability;

k. Chemotherapy;

l. Radiation;

m. Dialysis, including observation of and care of the access port;

n. Suctioning;

o. Tracheostomy care;

p. Infusion therapy; or

q. Oxygen.

E. When screening a child, the screening entity who is conducting the screening for LTSS shall utilize the electronic Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI). Instructions for completing the UAI may be found in the Long-Term Screening and Supports Manual.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. June 20, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. February 1, 2014; Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018; Volume 40, Issue 26, eff. September 26, 2024; Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2024.

12VAC30-60-304. Requests and referrals for LTSS screening for adults and children living in the community; adults and children in hospitals; and adults and children in nursing facilities.

A. LTSS screenings for adults living in the community. LTSS screenings for adults who are residing in the community and who are not hospital inpatients shall be completed and submitted by the CBT to eMLS. If the individual, or any of the other persons permitted to make such requests, requests an LTSS screening, the CBT shall be required to perform the requested LTSS screening. Every individual who applies for or requests LTSS shall have the opportunity to choose the setting and provider of services, and have this choice documented.

1. Requests for LTSS screenings shall be accepted from either an individual, the individual's representative, an adult protective service worker, the individual's physician, or an MCO care coordinator having an interest in the individual. The CBT in the jurisdiction where the individual resides shall conduct such LTSS screening. For the LTSS screening to be scheduled by the CBT, the individual shall either agree to participate or, if refusing, shall be under order of a court of appropriate jurisdiction to have an LTSS screening. Medicaid payment for services cannot be considered without agreement of the individual or the individual's representative to participate in the LTSS screening.

a. The LDSS or LHD in receipt of the request for an LTSS screening shall contact the individual or the individual's representative within seven days of the request date for screening to schedule an LTSS screening with the individual and any other persons whom the individual selects to attend the screening.

b. When the CBT has not scheduled an LTSS screening to occur within 21 days of the request date for screening, and the LTSS screening is not anticipated to be complete within 30 days of the request date for screening due to the screening entity's inability to conduct the LTSS screening, the LDSS and LHD shall, no later than seven days after the request date for screening, notify DARS and VDH staff designated for technical assistance.

2. Referrals for LTSS screenings may also be accepted by LDSS or LHD from an interested person having knowledge of an individual who may need LTSS. When the LDSS or LHD receives such a referral, the LDSS or LHD shall obtain sufficient information from the referral source to initiate contact with the individual or the individual's representative to discuss the LTSS screening process. Within seven days of the referral date, the LDSS or LHD shall contact the individual or the individual's representative to determine if the individual is interested in receiving LTSS and would participate in the LTSS screening. If the LDSS or LHD is unable to contact the individual or the individual's representative, the LDSS or LHD shall document the attempt to contact the individual or the individual's representative using the method adopted by the CBT.

a. After contact with the individual or the individual's representative, or if the LDSS or LHD is unable to contact the individual or the individual's representative, the LDSS or LHD shall advise the referring interested person that contact or attempt to contact has been made in response to the referral for an LTSS screening.

b. Information about the results of the contact shall only be shared by the LDSS or LHD with the interested person who made the referral when the LDSS or LHD has the individual's written consent or the written consent of the individual's legal representative who has such authority on behalf of the individual.

B. LTSS screenings for children living in the community. LTSS screenings for children who are residing in the community and who are not hospital inpatients shall be completed and submitted via eMLS. If the individual or parent or guardian, or any of the other persons permitted to make such requests, requests an LTSS screening, the DMAS community screening designee shall perform the requested LTSS screening. Every individual who applies for or requests LTSS shall have the opportunity to choose the setting and provider of services and have this choice documented.

1. A child who is residing in the community and is not an inpatient shall receive an LTSS screening from a DMAS community screening designee. The DMAS community screening designee may receive requests for LTSS screenings directly. Any requests for LTSS screenings for a child received by the CBT shall be forwarded directly to the DMAS designee. For the LTSS screening to be scheduled by the DMAS community screening designee, the child shall either agree to participate or, if refusing, shall be under order of a court of appropriate jurisdiction to have an LTSS screening. Medicaid payment for services cannot be considered without agreement of the individual or the individual's representative to participate in the LTSS screening.

2. The request for LTSS screening of a child residing in the community shall be accepted from the parent, legal guardian, the entity having legal custody of that child, an emancipated child, a physician, an MCO care coordinator, or a child protective service worker having an interest in the child.

3. Referrals for LTSS screenings may also be accepted from an interested person having knowledge of a child who may need LTSS. The process, timing, and limitations on the sharing of the results for referrals for LTSS screenings for children shall be the same as that set out for adults in subdivision A 2 of this section.

C. LTSS screenings in hospitals for adults and children who are inpatients. LTSS screenings in hospitals shall be completed when an adult or child who is an inpatient is discharged directly to an NF or may need LTSS in the community upon discharge or when the individual, MCO, or representative requests an LTSS screening. Medicaid payment for services cannot be considered without agreement of the individual or the individual's representative to participate in the LTSS screening. Every individual who applies for or requests LTSS shall have the opportunity to choose the setting and provider of services and have this choice documented.

1. As a part of the discharge planning process, the hospital LTSS screening team shall complete a face-to-face LTSS screening when:

a. The individual's physician, in collaboration with the individual or the individual's representative if there is one, makes a request of the hospital team. If the individual is a child, the LTSS screening shall be completed when the individual's physician, in collaboration with the child's parent, legal guardian, the entity having legal custody of the child, the emancipated child, adult protective services worker, child protective services worker, or MCO care coordinator makes a request of the hospital LTSS screening team; or

b. The individual, the individual's representative if there is one, parent, legal guardian, entity having legal custody, emancipated child, adult protective services worker, child protective services worker, or MCO care coordinator requests a consultation with hospital case management.

2. When there is a request, such individual shall receive an LTSS screening conducted by the hospital LTSS screening team regardless of if the individual is eligible for Medicaid or is anticipated to become eligible for Medicaid within six months after admission to an NF.

3. The hospital LTSS screening team shall exclude all institutionally induced dependencies from the face-to-face LTSS screening documentation.

D. LTSS screenings for individuals needing LTSS after a skilled or rehabilitation nursing facility services admission. LTSS screenings for individuals who need LTSS after receiving skilled or rehabilitation nursing facility services that are not covered by the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance services after discharge from an acute care hospital shall be completed and submitted via eMLS by NF LTSS screening teams. Medicaid payment for services cannot be considered without agreement of the individual or the individual's representative to participate in the LTSS screening. Every individual who applies for or requests LTSS shall have the opportunity to choose the setting and provider of services and have this choice documented.

1. Requests for LTSS screening shall be accepted from either an individual, the individual's representative, the individual's physician, the NF LTSS screening team, or an MCO care coordinator having an interest in the individual. The nursing facility LTSS screening team shall contact the individual or the individual's representative prior to enrollment in LTSS to schedule an LTSS screening with the individual and any other persons whom the individual selects to attend the LTSS screening.

2. Nursing facility LTSS screening teams must include at least one registered nurse and physician but may include a social worker or other members of the interdisciplinary team. The authorization or denial for Medicaid LTSS (DMAS-96 form) must be signed and attested to by the nursing facility LTSS screener and a physician.

E. LTSS screenings shall be submitted via eMLS within 30 days of the screening request.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2024.

12VAC30-60-305. Screenings in the community and hospitals and nursing facilities for Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports.

A. Community LTSS screenings for adults.

1. Medical or nursing and functional eligibility for Medicaid-funded LTSS shall be determined by the CBT after completion of an LTSS screening of the individual's needs and available supports. The CBT shall consider all the supports available for that individual in the community (i.e., the immediate family, other relatives, other community resources), and other services in the continuum of LTSS. The LTSS screening shall be documented on the DMAS-designated forms identified in 12VAC 30-60-306.

2. Upon receipt of an LTSS screening request, the CBT shall schedule an appointment to complete the requested LTSS screening. LTSS screenings shall be completed in the individual's residence unless the residence presents a safety risk for the individual or the CBT, or unless the individual or the representative requests that the LTSS screening be performed in an alternate location within the same jurisdiction. Community settings where LTSS screenings may occur include the individual's residence, other residences, residential facilities, or other settings with the exception of inpatients in acute care hospitals, rehabilitation units of acute care hospitals, and rehabilitation hospitals.

3. The individual shall be permitted to have another person present at the time of the screening. Other than situations when a court has issued an order for an LTSS screening, the individual shall also be afforded the right to refuse to participate. The CBT shall determine the appropriate degree of participation and assistance given by other persons to the individual during the LTSS screening and accommodate the individual's preferences to the extent feasible.

4. The CBT shall:

a. Observe the individual's ability to perform appropriate ADLs according to 12VAC 30-60-303 and consider the individual's communication or responses to questions or the individual's representative's communication or responses;

b. Observe, assess, and report the individual's medical, nursing, and functional condition. This information shall be used to ensure accurate and comprehensive evaluation of the individual's need for modification of treatment or additional medical procedures to prevent destabilization even when the individual has demonstrated an inability to self-observe or evaluate the need to contact skilled medical professionals;

c. Identify the medical or nursing needs and functional needs of the individual; and

d. Consider services and settings that may be needed by the individual in order for the individual to safely perform ADLs.

5. Upon completion of the LTSS screening and in consideration of the communication from the individual or the individual's representative, if appropriate, and observations obtained during the LTSS screening, the CBT shall determine whether the individual meets the criteria set out in 12VAC 30-60-303. If the individual meets the criteria for LTSS, the CBT shall inform the individual or the individual's representative, if appropriate, of this determination in writing and provide choice of the setting and provider of LTSS, such as PACE or Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus waiver services, as alternative options to placement in an NF.

6. If waiver services or PACE, where available, are declined, the reason for declining shall be recorded on the DMAS-97, Individual Choice - Institutional Care or Waiver Services Form. The CBT shall have this document signed by either the individual or the individual's representative, if appropriate. In addition to the electronic document, a paper copy of the DMAS-97 form with the individual's or the individual's representative's signature shall be retained in the individual's record by the LTSS screening entity.

7. If the individual meets criteria and selects home and community-based services, the CBT shall also document that the individual is at risk of NF placement in the absence of home and community-based services by finding that at least one of the following conditions exists:

a. The individual has been cared for in the home prior to the screening and evidence is available demonstrating a deterioration in the individual's health care condition, a significant change in condition, or a change in available supports. Examples of such evidence may include (i) recent hospitalizations, (ii) attending physician documentation, or (iii) reported findings from medical or social service agencies.

b. There has been no significant change in condition or available support but evidence is available that demonstrates the individual's functional, medical, or nursing needs are not being met. Examples of such evidence may include (i) recent hospitalizations, (ii) attending physician documentation, or (iii) reported findings from medical or social service agencies.

8. If the individual selects NF placement, the CBT shall follow the Level I identification and Level II evaluation process as outlined in Part III (12VAC 30-130-140 et seq.) of 12VAC 30-130.

9. If the CBT determines that the individual does not meet the criteria set out in 12VAC 30-60-303, the CBT shall notify the individual or the individual's representative, as may be appropriate, in writing that LTSS are being denied for the individual. The denial notice shall include the individual's right to appeal consistent with DMAS client appeals regulations (12VAC 30-110).

10. For those LTSS screenings conducted in accordance with clause iv of 12VAC 30-60-302 B 1, the CBT shall follow the process outlined in this subsection.

B. Community LTSS screenings for children.

1. Medical or nursing and functional eligibility for Medicaid-funded LTSS shall be determined by the DMAS community screening designee after completion of an LTSS screening of the child's needs and available supports. The DMAS community screening designee shall consider all the supports available for that child in the community (i.e., the immediate family, other community resources), and other services in the continuum of LTSS. The LTSS screening shall be documented on the designated DMAS forms identified in 12VAC 30-60-306.

2. Upon receipt of an LTSS screening request, the DMAS community screening designee shall schedule an appointment to complete the requested LTSS screening. LTSS screenings shall be completed in the child's residence unless the residence presents a safety risk for the child or the DMAS community screening designee, or unless the child's representative requests that the LTSS screening be performed in an alternate location within the same jurisdiction. Community settings where LTSS screenings may occur include the child's residence, other residences, children's residential facilities, or other settings with the exception of acute care hospitals, rehabilitation units of inpatients in acute care hospitals, and rehabilitation hospitals.

3. The child shall be permitted to have another person present at the time of the LTSS screening. The DMAS community screening designee shall determine the appropriate degree of participation and assistance given by other persons to the child during the LTSS screening and accommodate the individual's preferences to the extent feasible.

4. The DMAS community screening designee shall:

a. Determine the appropriate degree of participation and assistance given by other persons to the individual during the LTSS screening in recognition of the individual's preferences to the extent feasible;

b. Observe the child's ability to perform appropriate ADLs according to 12VAC 30-60-303 and consider the parent's, legal guardian's, or emancipated child's communications or responses to questions;

c. Observe, assess, and report the child's medical or nursing and functional condition. This information shall be used to ensure accurate and comprehensive evaluation of the child's need for modification of treatment or additional medical procedures to prevent destabilization even when the child has demonstrated an inability to self-observe or evaluate the need to contact skilled medical professionals;

d. Identify the medical or nursing and the functional needs of the child; and

e. Consider services and settings that may be needed by the child in order for the child to safely perform ADLs in the community.

5. Upon completion of the LTSS screening and in consideration of the communication from the child or the child's representative, if appropriate, and observations obtained during the LTSS screening, the DMAS community screening designee shall determine whether the child meets the criteria set out in 12VAC 30-60-303. If the child meets the criteria for Medicaid-funded LTSS, the DMAS community screening designee shall inform the child and the child's representative, if appropriate, of this determination in writing and provide choice of the setting and provider of LTSS, such as PACE or Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus waiver services, as alternative options to placement in an NF.

6. If waiver services are declined, the reason for declining shall be recorded on the DMAS-97, Individual Choice - Institutional Care or Waiver Services Form. The DMAS community screening designee shall have this document signed by either the emancipated child or the child's representative. In addition to the electronic document, a paper copy of the DMAS-97 form with the child's or the child's representative's signature shall be retained in the child's record by the LTSS screening entity.

7. If the child meets criteria and selects home and community-based services, the DMAS community screening designee shall also document that the individual is at risk of NF placement in the absence of home and community-based services by finding that at least one of the following conditions exists:

a. The child has been cared for in the home prior to the LTSS screening and evidence is available demonstrating a deterioration in the child's health care condition, a significant change in condition, or a change in available supports. Examples of such evidence may include (i) recent hospitalizations, (ii) attending physician documentation, or (iii) reported findings from medical or social service agencies.

b. There has been no significant change in condition or available support but evidence is available that demonstrates the child's functional, medical, or nursing needs are not being met. Examples of such evidence may include (i) recent hospitalizations, (ii) attending physician documentation, or (iii) reported findings from medical or social service agencies.

8. If the parent, legal guardian, entity having legal custody of the child, or emancipated child selects NF placement, the DMAS community screening designee shall follow the Level I identification and Level II evaluation process as set out in Part III (12VAC 30-130-140 et seq.) of 12VAC 30-130.

9. If the DMAS community screening designee determines that the child does not meet the criteria to receive Medicaid-funded LTSS as set out in 12VAC 30-60-303, the DMAS community screening designee shall notify the parent, legal guardian, entity having legal custody of the child, or the emancipated child and representative, as may be appropriate, in writing that Medicaid-funded LTSS are being denied for the child. The denial notice shall include the child's right to appeal consistent with DMAS client appeals regulations (12VAC 30-110).

C. Screenings for adults and children in hospitals. For the purpose of this subsection, the term "individual" shall mean either an adult or a child.

1. Medical or nursing and functional eligibility for Medicaid-funded LTSS shall be determined by the hospital LTSS screening team after completion of an LTSS screening of the individual's medical or nursing and functional needs and available supports. The hospital LTSS screening team shall consider all the supports available for that individual in the community (i.e., the immediate family, other relatives, other community resources), and other services in the continuum of LTSS. The LTSS screening shall be documented on the DMAS-designated forms identified in 12VAC 30-60-306 and entered into the eMLS system.

2. LTSS screenings shall be completed in the hospital prior to discharge.

3. The individual shall be permitted to have another person present at the time of the LTSS screening. Except when a court has issued an order for an LTSS screening, the individual shall also be afforded the right to refuse to participate. The hospital LTSS screening team shall determine the appropriate degree of participation and assistance given by other persons to the individual during the screening and accommodate the individual's preferences to the extent feasible.

4. The hospital LTSS screening team shall:

a. Observe the individual's ability to perform appropriate ADLs according to 12VAC 30-60-303, excluding all institutionally induced dependencies, and consider the individual's communication or responses to questions or the individual's representative's communication or responses;

b. Observe, assess, and report the individual's medical or nursing and functional condition. This information shall be used to ensure accurate and comprehensive evaluation of the individual's need for modification of treatment or additional medical procedures to prevent destabilization even when the individual has demonstrated an inability to self-observe or evaluate the need to contact skilled medical professionals;

c. Identify the medical, nursing, and functional needs of the individual; and

d. Consider services and settings that may be needed by the individual in order for the individual to safely perform ADLs.

5. Upon completion of the LTSS screening and in consideration of the communication from the individual or the individual's representative, if appropriate, and observations obtained during the LTSS screening, the hospital LTSS screening team shall determine whether the individual meets the criteria set out in 12VAC 30-60-303. If the individual meets the criteria for Medicaid-funded LTSS, the hospital LTSS screening team shall inform the individual or the individual's representative, if appropriate, of this determination in writing and provide choice of the setting and provider of LTSS, such as PACE or Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus waiver services, as alternative options to placement in an NF.

6. If waiver services or PACE, where available, are declined, the reason for declining shall be recorded on the DMAS-97, Individual Choice - Institutional Care or Waiver Services Form. The hospital LTSS screening team shall have this document signed by either the individual or the individual's representative, if appropriate. In addition to the electronic document, a paper copy of the DMAS-97 form with the individual's or the individual's representative's signature shall be retained in the individual's record.

7. If the individual meets criteria and selects home and community-based services, the hospital LTSS screening team shall also document that the individual is at risk of NF placement in the absence of home and community-based services by finding that at least one of the following conditions exists:

a. Prior to the inpatient admission, the individual was cared for in the home and evidence is available demonstrating a deterioration in the individual's health care condition, a significant change in condition, or a change in available supports. Examples of such evidence may include (i) recent hospitalizations, (ii) attending physician documentation, or (iii) reported findings from medical or social service agencies.

8. If the individual selects NF placement, the hospital LTSS screening team shall follow the Level I identification and Level II evaluation process as outlined in Part III (12VAC 30-130-140 et seq.) of 12VAC 30-130.

9. If the hospital LTSS screening team determines that the individual does not meet the criteria set out in 12VAC 30-60-303, the hospital LTSS screening team shall notify the individual or the individual's representative, as may be appropriate, in writing that LTSS are being denied for the individual. The denial notice shall include the individual's right to appeal consistent with DMAS client appeals regulations (12VAC 30-110).

D. LTSS screenings for individuals receiving skilled or rehabilitation nursing services in a setting not covered by Medicaid and after discharge from an acute care hospital.

1. Medical or nursing and functional eligibility for Medicaid-funded LTSS shall be determined by the NF LTSS screening team after completion of an LTSS screening of the individual's medical or nursing and functional needs and available supports. The NF LTSS screening team shall consider all the supports available for that individual in the community (i.e., the immediate family, other relatives, other community resources) and other services in the continuum of LTSS. The LTSS screening shall be documented on the DMAS forms identified in 12VA30-60-306 and entered into the eMLS system.

2. LTSS screenings shall be completed prior to the enrollment or initiation of LTSS.

3. The individual shall be permitted to have another person present at the time of the LTSS screening. Except when a court has issued an order for an LTSS screening, the individual shall also be afforded the right to refuse to participate. The NF LTSS screening team shall determine the appropriate degree of participation and assistance given by other persons to the individual during the LTSS screening and accommodate the individual's preferences to the extent feasible.

4. The nursing facility LTSS screening team shall:

c. Identify the medical, nursing, and functional needs of the individual; and

d. Consider services and settings that may be needed by the individual in order for the individual to safely perform ADLs.

5. Upon completion of the LTSS screening and in consideration of the communication from the individual or the individual's representative, if appropriate, and observations obtained during the LTSS screening, the NF LTSS screening team shall determine whether the individual meets the criteria set out in 12VAC 30-60-303. If the individual meets the criteria for Medicaid-funded LTSS, the NF LTSS screening team shall inform the individual or the individual's representative, if appropriate, of this determination in writing and provide choice of the setting and provider of LTSS, such as PACE or Commonwealth Coordinated Care (CCC) Plus waiver services, as alternative options to placement in an NF.

6. If waiver services or PACE, where available, are declined, the reason for declining shall be recorded on the DMAS-97, Individual Choice - Institutional Care or Waiver Services Form. The NF LTSS screening team shall have this document signed by either the individual or the individual's representative, if appropriate. In addition to the electronic document, a paper copy of the DMAS-97 form with the individual's or the individual's representative's signature shall be retained in the individual's record.

7. If the individual meets criteria and selects home and community-based services, the NF LTSS screening team shall also document that the individual is at risk of NF placement in the absence of home and community-based services by finding that at least one of the following conditions exists:

a. Prior to the admission to the acute care hospital, the individual was cared for in the home and evidence is available demonstrating a deterioration in the individual's health care condition, a significant change in condition, or a change in available supports. Examples of such evidence may include (i) recent hospitalizations, (ii) attending physician documentation, or (iii) reported findings from medical or social service agencies.

8. If the individual selects NF placement, the NF LTSS screening team shall follow the Level I identification and Level II evaluation process as outlined in Part III (12VAC 30-130-140 et seq.) of 12VAC 30-130.

9. If the NF LTSS screening team determines that the individual does not meet the criteria set out in 12VAC 30-60-303, the NF LTSS screening team shall notify the individual or the individual's representative, as may be appropriate, in writing that LTSS are being denied for the individual. The denial notice shall include the individual's right to appeal consistent with DMAS client appeals regulations (12VAC 30-110).

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2024.

12VAC30-60-306. Submission of LTSS screenings.

A. The LTSS screening entity shall complete and submit the following forms to DMAS electronically via eMLS:

1. DMAS-95 - MI/ID/RC (Supplemental Level I Screening for Mental Illness, Intellectual Disability, or Related Conditions Form and follow-up information), as appropriate;

2. DMAS-96 (Medicaid-Funded Long-Term Services and Supports Authorization Form);

3. DMAS-97 (Individual Choice - Home and Community-Based or Institutional Care Form), as applicable;

4. UAI (Uniform Assessment Instrument);

5. DMAS-108 ( Private Duty Nursing Adult form), as appropriate; and

6. DMAS-109 ( Private Duty Nursing Pediatric form), as appropriate.

B. For LTSS screenings performed in the community, the LTSS screening entity shall submit to DMAS via eMLS each applicable screening form listed in subsection A of this section within 30 days of the individual's request date for screening.

C. For LTSS screenings performed in a hospital, the LTSS screening hospital team shall submit to DMAS via eMLS each applicable screening form listed in subsection A of this section, which shall be completed prior to the individual's discharge to LTSS.

D. For LTSS screenings performed in a skilled or rehabilitation NF setting, the NF LTSS screening team shall submit to DMAS via eMLS each applicable screening form listed in subsection A of this section, which shall be completed prior to the individual's level of care change or enrollment in LTSS from skilled nursing or rehabilitation services.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 36, Issue 7, eff. December 25, 2019; Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2024.

12VAC30-60-307. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. June 20, 2002; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018.

12VAC30-60-308. Nursing facility admission for LTSS and level of care determination requirements.

Prior to an individual's LTSS admission, the NF shall review the completed LTSS screening forms to ensure that applicable NF admission criteria have been met, documented, and submitted via eMLS unless the individual meets any of the special circumstances set out in 12VAC 30-60-302 E. NFs shall not accept handwritten LTSS screening forms as proof that admission criteria have been met and documented.

The NF LTSS screening team shall be responsible for screening individuals admitted directly from a hospital for skilled nursing or rehabilitation not covered by the Commonwealth's program of medical assistance and having a change in level of care requiring LTSS.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2024.

12VAC30-60-310. Competency training and testing requirements.

By June 30, 2019, each person performing LTSS screenings on behalf of a screening entity shall complete required training and competency tests. A score of at least 80% on each module for each person who is required to give final approval on LTSS screenings on behalf of the screening entity shall constitute satisfactory competency test results. The most current competency test results shall be kept in the screening entity's personnel records for each person performing LTSS screenings for the screening entity. Such documentation results shall be provided to DMAS upon its request.

1. All persons who are required by the screening entity to give final approval of LTSS screenings shall complete the DMAS-approved training and pass the corresponding competency tests with a score of at least 80% for each module of the training prior to performing LTSS screenings. Each LTSS screener who has passed the competency training will be provided a certification number that shall be entered into the eMLS upon final approval of the Medicaid LTSS screening.

2. Upon successful completion of the initial training, each person who is required to give final approval of LTSS screenings on behalf of the screening entity shall complete the shortened refresher course no less than every three years. A score of at least 80% on the refresher module shall be required for a person to continue to perform LTSS screenings or give final approval of LTSS screenings on behalf of the screening entity.

3. Failure to satisfy the training and competency tests requirements may result in the retraction of Medicaid payment.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2024.

12VAC30-60-312. (Repealed.)

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. June 20, 2002; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018.

12VAC30-60-313. Individuals determined to not meet criteria for Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports.

Notwithstanding 12VAC 30-60-302 E, an individual shall be determined not to meet the level of care for Medicaid-funded LTSS when there is no LTSS screening or MDS to document the individual meets the medical or nursing, functional, or risk criteria or when one of the following specific care needs solely describes the individual's condition:

1. The individual requires minimal assistance with ADLs, including those individuals whose only need in all areas of functional capacity is for prompting to complete the activity;

2. The individual independently uses mechanical devices such as a wheelchair, walker, crutch, or cane;

3. The individual requires limited diets such as a mechanically altered, low-salt, low-residue, diabetic, reducing, or other restrictive diets;

4. The individual requires medications that can be independently self-administered or administered by the caregiver;

5. The individual requires protection to prevent the individual from obtaining alcohol or drugs or to address a social or environmental problem;

6. The individual requires minimal staff observation or assistance for confusion, memory impairment, or poor judgment; or

7. The individual's primary need is for behavioral management that can be provided in a community-based setting.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2024.

12VAC30-60-315. Periodic evaluations for individuals receiving Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports.

A. Once an individual is enrolled in home and community-based services, the home and community-based services provider shall be responsible for conducting periodic evaluations to ensure that the individual meets, and continues to meet, the waiver program or PACE criteria, if appropriate. These periodic evaluations shall be conducted using the DMAS Care Management Solution (CRMS) module of the Department’s Medicaid Enterprise System. The home and community-based services provider shall promptly evaluate the individual after the individual experiences a significant change in his condition, as defined in 12VAC 30-60-301.

B. Once an individual has been screened for LTSS and is enrolled in LTSS in an NF, the NF shall be responsible for conducting periodic evaluations to ensure that the individual meets, and continues to meet, the NF criteria. For this purpose, the NF shall use the federally required Minimum Data Set (MDS) form (see https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/MDS30RAIManual.html). For individuals screened for LTSS by hospital teams and CBTs and admitted directly into NF LTSS, the individual shall be evaluated using the MDS no later than 14 days after the date of NF admission. Any individual receiving NF LTSS who experiences a significant change in the individual's condition, as defined in 12VAC 30-60-301, shall be evaluated using the MDS.

For individuals admitted to skilled or rehabilitation services in an NF, the NF shall be responsible for conducting periodic evaluations to ensure that the individual meets and continues to meet criteria. For this purpose, the NF shall use the federally required MDS form (see https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/MDS30RAIManual.html). The post-enrollment evaluation shall be conducted no later than 14 days after the date of the NF admission and promptly after a significant change in the individual's condition, as defined in 12VAC 30-60-301.

C. For individuals who are enrolled in an MCO that is responsible for providing LTSS, the MCO shall conduct periodic evaluations by qualified MCO staff to ensure the individual continues to meet criteria for LTSS. The MCO shall promptly evaluate the individual after he experiences a significant change in his condition, as defined in 12VAC 30-60-301.

D. If an individual has been screened for LTSS and enrollment in LTSS has not occurred within one year of the completion date of the LTSS screening, a new LTSS screening shall be conducted to document the level of care and ensure continued need for services.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 24, eff. August 22, 2018; amended, Virginia Register Volume 41, Issue 1, eff. October 10, 2024.

12VAC30-60-316. Criteria for continued nursing facility care using the Minimum Data Set (MDS).

Individuals may be considered appropriate for nursing facility care when one of the following describes their medical or nursing needs and functional capacity as recorded on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) of the Resident Assessment Instrument that is specified by the Commonwealth.

1. Functional capacity:

a. The individual meets criteria for two to four of the Activities of Daily Living, plus Behavior and Orientation; and Joint Motion;

b. The individual meets criteria for five to seven of the Activities of Daily Living and also for Locomotion; or

c. The individual meets criteria for two to seven of the Activities of Daily Living and also for Locomotion, and Behavior and Orientation. An individual in this category will not be appropriate for nursing facility care unless he also has a medical condition requiring treatment or observation by a nurse.

2. Medical or Nursing Needs: The individual has health needs which require medical or nursing supervision or care above the level which could be provided through assistance with activities of daily living, medication administration and general supervision and is not primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. June 20, 2002.

12VAC30-60-318. Definitions to be applied when completing the MDS.

A. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs):

1. Transfer (§E(1)(b)). In order to meet this ADL, the individual must score a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8 as described below:

a. (0) Independent -- No help or oversight -- OR -- help/oversight provided only 1 or 2 times during last seven days

b. (1) Supervision -- Oversight, encouragement or cueing provided 3+ times during last seven days -- OR -- supervision plus physical assistance provided on 1 or 2 times during last seven days

c. (2) Limited assistance -- Resident highly involved in activity; received physical help in guided maneuvering of limbs or other nonweight bearing assistance 3+ times -- OR -- more help provided only 1 or 2 times during last seven days

d. (3) Extensive assistance -- While resident performed part of activity, over last seven-day period, help of following type or types was provided 3 or more times: weight-bearing support or full staff performance during part (but not all) of last seven days

e. (4) Total dependence -- Full staff performance of activity during entire seven days

f. (8) Activity did not occur during the entire seven-day period. Use of this code is limited to situations where the ADL activity was not performed and is primarily applicable to fully bed-bound residents who neither transferred from bed nor moved between locations over the entire seven-day period.

2. Dressing (§E(1)(d)). In order to meet this ADL, the individual must score a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8 as described below:

a. (0) Independent -- No help or oversight -- OR -- help/oversight provided only 1 or 2 times during last seven days

b. (1) Supervision -- Oversight, encouragement or cueing provided 3+ times during last seven days -- OR -supervision plus physical assistance provided on 1 or 2 times during last seven days

e. (4) Total dependence -- Full staff performance of activity during entire seven days

3. Eating (§E(1)(e)). In order to meet this ADL, the individual must score a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8 as described below:

a. (0) Independent -- No help or oversight -- OR -- help/oversight provided only 1 or 2 times during last seven days

b. (1) Supervision -- Oversight, encouragement or cueing provided 3+ times during seven days -- OR -- supervision plus physical assistance provided on 1 or 2 times during last seven days

e. (4) Total dependence -- Full staff performance of activity during entire seven days

g. To meet this ADL, one of the following is checked:

(1) §L(4)(a) Parenteral or intravenous

(2) §L(4)(b) Feeding tube

(3) §L(4)(d) Syringe (oral feeding)

4. Toilet Use §E(1)(f)). In order to meet this ADL, the individual must score a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8 as described below:

a. (0) Independent -- No help or oversight -- OR -help/oversight provided only 1 or 2 times during last seven days

b. (1) Supervision -- Oversight, encouragement or cueing provided 3+ times during last 7 days -- OR -- supervision plus physical assistance provided on 1 or 2 times during last 7 days

e. (4) Total dependence -- Full staff performance of activity during entire seven days

5. Bathing (§E(3)(a)). To meet this ADL, the individual must score a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8 as described below:

a. (0) Independent -- no help provided.

b. (1) Supervision -- oversight help only

c. (2) Physical help limited to transfer only

d. (3) Physical help in part of bathing activity

e. (4) Total dependence

6. Bladder Continence (§F(1)(b)). In order to meet this ADL, the individual must score a 2, 3, or 4 in this category:

a. (0) Continent -- Complete control

b. (1) Usually continent -- incontinent episodes once a week or less

c. (2) Occasionally incontinent -- 2+ times a week but not daily

d. (3) Frequently incontinent -- tended to be incontinent daily, but some control present (e.g., on day shift)

e. (4) Incontinent -- Had inadequate control; multiple daily episodes or

f. To meet this ADL, one of the following is checked:

(1) §F(3)(b) external cathether

(2) §F(3)(c) indwelling catheter

7. Bowel Continence (§F(1)(a)). In order to meet this ADL, the individual must score a 2, 3, or 4 in this category:

a. (0) Continent -- Complete control

b. (1) Usually continent -- control problems less than weekly

c. (2) Occasionally incontinent -- once a week

d. (3) Frequently incontinent -- 2-3 times a week

e. (4) Incontinent -- Had inadequate control all (or almost all) of the time, or

f. To meet this ADL, §F(3)(h) ostomy is checked.

B. Joint Motion (§E(4)). In order to meet this category, at least one of the following must be checked:

1. §E(4)(c) Contracture to arms, legs, shoulders, or hands

2. (d) Hemiplegia/hemiparesis

3. (e) Quadriplegia

4. (f) Arm -- partial or total loss of voluntary movement

5. (g) Hand -- lack of dexterity (e.g., problem using toothbrush or adjusting hearing aid)

6. (h) Leg -- partial or total loss of voluntary movement

7. (i) Leg -- unsteady gait

8. (j) Trunk -- partial or total loss of ability to position, balance, or turn body

C. Locomotion (§E(1)(c)). In order to meet this ADL, the individual must score a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8 in this category:

1. (0) Independent -- No help or oversight -- OR -- help/oversight provided only 1 or 2 times during last seven days

2. (1) Supervision -- Oversight, encouragement or cueing provided 3+ times during last seven days -- OR -- supervision plus physical assistance provided on 1 or 2 times during last seven days

3. (2) Limited assistance -- Resident highly involved in activity; received physical help in guided maneuvering of limbs or other nonweight bearing assistance 3+ times -- OR -- more help provided only 1 or 2 times during last seven days

4. (3) Extensive assistance -- While resident performed part of activity, over last seven-day period, help of following type or types was provided 3 or more times: weight-bearing support or full staff performance during part (but not all) of last seven days

5. (4) Total dependence -- Full staff performance of activity during entire seven days

6. (8) Activity did not occur during the entire seven-day period. Use of this code is limited to situations where the ADL activity was not performed and is primarily applicable to fully bed-bound residents who neither transferred from bed nor moved between locations over the entire seven-day period.

D. Nursing Observation. In order to meet this category, at least one of the following special treatments, procedures and skin conditions must be checked:

1. §N(4)(a) Open lesions other than stasis or pressure ulcers (e.g., cuts)

(f) Wound care or treatment (e.g., pressure ulcer care, surgical wound)

(g) Other skin care or treatment

2. §P(1)(a) Chemotherapy

(b) Radiation

(d) Suctioning

(e) Tracheostomy care

(f) Intravenous medications

(g) Transfusions

(h) Oxygen

(i) Other special treatment or procedure

E. Behavior and Orientation. In order to meet this category, the individual must meet at least one of the categories for both behavior AND orientation.

1. Behavior. To meet the criteria for behavior, the individual must meet at least one of the following:

a. §H(1)(d) Failure to eat or take medications, withdrawal from self-care or leisure activities (must be checked); or

b. One of the following is coded 1 (behavior of this type occurred less than daily) or 2 (behavior of this type occurred daily or more frequently):

(1) §H(3)(a) Wandering (moved with no rational purpose, seemingly oblivious to needs or safety)

(2) §H(3)(b) Verbally abusive (others were threatened, screamed at, cursed at)

(3) §H(3)(c) Physically abusive (others were hit, shoved, scratched, sexually abused)

(4) §H(3)(d) Socially inappropriate/disruptive behavior (made disrupting sounds, noisy, screams, self-abusive acts, sexual behavior or disrobing in public, smeared/threw food/feces, hoarding, rummaged through others' belongings)

2. Orientation: To meet this category, the individual must meet at least one of the following:

a. §B(3)(d) Awareness that individual is in a nursing home -- is not checked;

b. §B(3)(e) None of the memory/recall ability items are recalled -must be checked; or

c. §B(4) Cognitive skills for daily decision-making -- must be coded with a 2 (moderately impaired -- decisions poor; cues/supervision required) or 3 (severely impaired -never/rarely made decisions).

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 18, Issue 18, eff. June 20, 2002.

12VAC30-60-320. Adult ventilation/tracheostomy specialized care criteria.

A. General description. The resident must have long-term health conditions requiring close medical supervision, 24 hour licensed nursing care, and specialized services or equipment.

B. The targeted adult population requiring specialized care includes individuals requiring mechanical ventilation and individuals with a complex tracheostomy who require comprehensive respiratory therapy services.

C. Criteria.

1. The individual must require at a minimum:

a. Physician visits at least once weekly. The initial physician visit must be made by the physician personally and subsequent required physician visits after the initial visit may alternate between personal visits by the physician and visits by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner.

b. Skilled nursing services 24 hours a day. A registered nurse must be on the nursing unit on which the resident resides, 24 hours a day, whose sole responsibility is the designated unit.

c. Respiratory services provided by a licensed board-certified respiratory therapist (these services must be available 24 hours a day).

d. Coordinated multidisciplinary team approach to meet needs.

2. In addition, the individual must meet one of the following two requirements:

a. Require a mechanical ventilator; or

b. Have a complex tracheostomy that meets all of the following criteria. The individual must:

(1) Have a tracheostomy, with the potential for weaning off of it, or documentation of attempts to wean, with subsequent inability to wean;

(2) Require nebulizer treatments followed by chest PT (physiotherapy) at least four times per day or nebulizer treatments at least four times a day, which must be provided by a licensed nurse or licensed respiratory therapist;

(3) Require pulse oximetery monitoring at least every shift due to demonstrated unstable oxygen saturation levels;

(4) Require respiratory assessment and documentation every shift by licensed respiratory therapist or trained nurse;

(5) Have a physician's order for oxygen therapy with documented usage;

(6) Require tracheostomy care at least daily;

(7) Have a physician's order for suctioning as needed; and

(8) Be deemed to be at risk of requiring subsequent mechanical ventilation.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia and Item 325 LLL of Chapter 1042 of the 2003 Acts of Assembly.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-03-3.1301 § 2, eff. June 29, 1994; amended, Virginia Register Volume 20, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2004.

12VAC30-60-330. [Reserved]. (Reserved)

12VAC30-60-340. Pediatric and adolescent specialized care criteria.

§ 3.0 General description. The child must have ongoing health conditions requiring close medical supervision, 24 hours licensed nursing supervision, AND specialized services or equipment. The recipient must be age 21 or under.

§ 3.1 Targeted population.

A. Children requiring mechanical ventilation

B. Children with communicable diseases requiring universal or respiratory precautions (excluding normal childhood diseases such as chicken pox, measles, strep throat, etc.)

C. Children requiring ongoing intravenous medication or intravenous nutrition administration

D. Children requiring daily dependence on device based respiratory or nutritional support (tracheostomy, gastrostomy, etc.)

E. Children requiring comprehensive rehabilitative therapy service

F. Children with terminal illness

§ 3.2 Criteria.

A. The child must require at a minimum:

1. Physician visits at least once weekly (the initial physician visit must be made by the physician personally. Subsequent required physician visits after the initial visit may alternate between personal visits by the physician and visits by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner.)

2. Skilled nursing services 24 hours a day (a registered nurse must be on the nursing unit on which the child is residing, 24 hours a day, whose sole responsibility is that nursing unit)

3. Coordinated multidisciplinary team approach to meet needs

4. The nursing facility must coordinate with appropriate state and local agencies for the educational and habilitative needs of the child. These services must be age appropriate and appropriate to the cognitive level of the child. Services must also be individualized to meet the specific needs of the child and must be provided in an organized and proactive manner. Services may include but are not limited to school, active treatment for mental retardation, habilitative therapies, social skills and leisure activities. The services must be provided for a total of 2 hours per day, minimum.

B. In addition, the child must meet one of the following requirements:

1. Must require two out of three of the following rehabilitative services: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech-pathology services; therapy must be provided at a minimum of 6 therapy sessions (minimum of 15 minutes per session) per day, 5 days per week; child must demonstrate progress in overall rehabilitative plan of care on a monthly basis; or

2. Must require special equipment such as mechanical ventilators, respiratory therapy equipment (that has to be supervised by licensed nurse or respiratory therapist), monitoring device (respiratory or cardiac) kinetic therapy, etc., or

3. Children that require at least one of the following special services:

a. Ongoing administration of intravenous medications of nutrition (i.e., TPN, antibiotic therapy, narcotic administration, etc.)

b. Special infection control precautions (universal or respiratory precaution; this does not include handwashing precautions only or isolation for normal childhood diseases such as measles, chicken pox, strep throat, etc.)

c. Dialysis treatment that is provided within the facility (i.e., peritoneal dialysis)

d. Daily respiratory therapy treatments that must be provided by a skilled nurse or respiratory therapist

e. Extensive wound care requiring debridement, irrigation, packing, etc., more than two times a day (i.e., grade IV decubiti; large surgical wounds that cannot be closed, second or third degree burns covering more than 10% of the body)

f. Ostomy care requiring services by a licensed nurse

g. Care for terminal illness

Statutory Authority

Social Security Act Title XIX; 42 CFR 430 to end; all other applicable statutory and regulatory sections.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460-03-3.1301 § 3, eff. June 29, 1994.

12VAC30-60-350. Criteria for coverage of specialized treatment beds.

A. DMAS will pay $10 per day toward the cost of specialized treatment beds for eligible NF recipients who have at least one treatable Stage IV pressure ulcer. Specialized treatment bed means either an air-fluidized bed or a low-air-loss bed. To be approved for this service, the following criteria must be met:

1. The individual must have at least one Stage IV pressure ulcer as documented on the MDS.

2. The individual must require the use of a specialized treatment bed as ordered by a physician for the treatment of at least one Stage IV pressure ulcer.

3. The nursing facility must obtain authorization by submitting the authorization request to DMAS or the preauthorization agent.

B. Nursing facilities shall not be eligible to receive this additional payment for residents who are enrolled in the specialized care program.

C. Limits. DMAS shall provide the additional $10 per day reimbursement for recipients meeting criteria for no more than 246 days annually. Nursing facilities may receive the reimbursement for up to 82 days per new occurrence of a Stage IV ulcer. There must be at least 30 days between each reimbursement period. Limits are per recipient, regardless of the number of providers rendering services.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 22, eff. August 9, 2006.

12VAC30-60-360. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from VR460‑03‑3.1301 § 4, eff. June 29, 1994; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 9, eff. February 9, 2019.

12VAC30-60-361. Criteria for supports and services in intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

A. This section establishes standard criteria that shall be met by individuals in order to receive Medicaid payment for care in intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IID). Once the individual has been screened and found to meet these criteria, Medicaid covers the costs of care only when the individual is receiving appropriate supports and services and when active treatment, as set forth in 42 CFR 483.440(a), is being provided.

B. Supports and services that are provided in facilities for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities for the purpose of claiming Medicaid reimbursement requires individualized, person-centered planned programs of supports and services to address habilitative needs or health needs, or both, as set forth in 42 CFR 483.21.

1. Such care may be a combination of habilitative, rehabilitative, and health services directed toward increasing or maintaining the highest mental, physical, and psychosocial skills and abilities of the individual. Individuals with degenerative conditions shall receive supports and services designed to retain skills and functioning and to prevent further regression to the extent possible. Examples of such care include (i) skill building in the activities of daily living, (ii) skill building in task-learning, (iii) learning socially acceptable behaviors, (iv) learning basic community living skills, (v) health care and health maintenance, and (vi) skill building in self direction.

2. The overall objective of facility based supports and services, as set out in the person-centered plan, shall be the attainment of the optimal physical, intellectual, social, or task learning level that the individual can presently or potentially achieve.

C. Level of dependency and level of functioning criteria.

1. An individual's need for care shall meet the level of functioning criteria in the Virginia Individual Developmental Disability Eligibility Survey (VIDES) before any authorization for payment by Medicaid will be made for institutional services.

2. The level of dependency in each category shall be indicated from the most dependent to the least dependent. In some categories, the dependency status shall be rated by the degree of assistance required, while in other categories, the dependency shall be established by the frequency of a behavior or the ability to perform a given task.

a. The adult-individual (18 years of age and older) shall demonstrate an overall total level for the VIDES assessment of dependency in three or more of the skills or statuses on the VIDES; to demonstrate a skill or exhibit a status, the individual shall meet the criteria for the dependency level set out for that skill or status in DMAS Form P237.

b. Children (ages three years through 17 years old) shall demonstrate an overall total level for the VIDES assessment of dependency in two or more areas for the VIDES specific for the child's age as set forth in DMAS Form P236.

c. Infants (younger than three years of age) shall demonstrate an overall total level for the VIDES assessment of dependency in two or more areas for the VIDES specific for the infant's age as set forth in DMAS Form P235.

D. Screening process for entrance into an ICF/IID shall be coordinated through DMAS or its designee.

1. ICF/IID screening requests:

a. DMAS or its designee shall accept requests for ICF/IID screenings and ensure that, within seven calendar days of referral, those screenings are scheduled.

b. DMAS or its designee shall accept requests for ICF/IID screenings and ensure that those who need emergency access are scheduled and screened within 48 hours. The criteria to determine the need for emergency access shall be one of the following:

(1) Child protective services has substantiated abuse or neglect against the primary caregiver and has removed the individual from the home, or for adults where (i) adult protective services has found that the individual needs and accepts protective services or (ii) abuse or neglect has not been founded, but corroborating information from other sources (agencies) indicate that there is an inherent risk present and there are no other caregivers available to provide support services to the individual.

(2) Death of primary caregiver or lack of alternative caregiver coupled with the individual's inability to care for himself and endangerment to self or others without supports.

c. The screening will be provided to the chosen ICF/IID during its assessment and admission process when requested by the facility.

d. Screenings by the DMAS designee shall be completed or approved prior to admission to an ICF/IID.

2. DMAS or its designee shall also explore and review more integrated community options with the individual and family or guardian at the time of screening and through the established review recommendations and procedures with DBHDS.

E. Upon admission to an ICF/IID, the facility shall perform an assessment of the individual consistent with 42 CFR 483.440.

F. The assessment and reassessment for determination of continued stay in the ICF/IID level of care shall be performed by the interdisciplinary team and be based on (i) the needs of the individual, (ii) the individual's capabilities, (iii) the appropriateness of services and supports to be provided, (iv) the progress the individual demonstrates from the skill building, and (v) whether the services and supports could reasonably be provided and are available in a less restrictive environment.

G. The individual assessment shall be evaluated in detail to determine the skills, abilities, and status that will be the basis for the development of an individual program plan (IPP). The assessment process shall indicate a need for an IPP that addresses the individual's skills, abilities, and need for health care services as set forth in 42 CFR 483.440.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 9, eff. February 7, 2019.

12VAC30-60-500. (Repealed.)

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 20, eff. July 9, 2009; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 4, eff. November 26, 2009.

Forms (12VAC30-60)

DMAS-95, Level I Screening for Mental Illness, Intellectual Disability, or Related Conditions Form (rev. 4/2019)

DMAS-95, MI/ID/RC Supplement: Level II (rev. 12/2015)

DMAS-96, Medicaid-Funded Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Authorization Form (rev. 4/2019)

DMAS-97, Individual Choice - Home and Community-Based Services or Institutional Care Form (rev. 4/2019)

DMAS-108, Private Duty Nursing Adult Referral for the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) Waiver (rev. 4/2019)

DMAS-109, Private Duty Nursing Pediatric Referral for the Commonwealth Coordinated Care Plus (CCC Plus) Waiver (rev. 4/2019)

Virginia Individual Developmental Disabilities Eligibility Survey - Infants' Version, P235 (eff. 3/2016)

Virginia Individual Developmental Disabilities Eligibility Survey - Children's Version, P236 (eff. 3/2016)

Virginia Individual Developmental Disabilities Eligibility Survey - Adults' Version, P237 (eff. 3/2016)

Virginia Uniform Assessment Instrument (rev. 5/2000)

Documents Incorporated by Reference (12VAC30-60)

Website addresses provided in the Virginia Administrative Code to documents incorporated by reference are for the reader's convenience only, may not necessarily be active or current, and should not be relied upon. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation.

As a service to the public, the Virginia Administrative Code is provided online by the Virginia General Assembly. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. To understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.