7 AAC 110.550 - Psychologist testing services

(a) To be eligible for payment under 7 AAC 105 - 7 AAC 160 for providing psychologist testing services, a provider must be an independently practicing psychologist who

(1) is enrolled as a psychologist in accordance with 7 AAC 105.210;

(2) has an active license to practice psychology issued by the jurisdiction in which the psychologist provides services; if services are provided in this state, the psychologist must hold an active license under AS 08.86.130 or 08.86.135; and

(3) maintains records in accordance with (e) of this section.

(b) Covered psychologist testing services are limited to medically necessary psychological testing to determine the status of the patient's mental, intellectual, and emotional functioning. Testing services must include administration of psychodiagnostic tests, the interpretation of the results of the tests, and a written report. Testing services must be provided directly by the psychologist. Payment is limited to the following services:

(1) psychological testing;

(2) assessment of aphasia;

(3) developmental testing, limited or extended;

(4) neurobehavioral status examination, including assessment of thinking, reasoning, and judgment;

(5) neuropsychological testing.

(c) Psychologist testing services may be provided to a recipient who has received a referral from the recipient's treating physician, a physician assistant, an advanced practice registered nurse, a community mental health clinic, a tribal health program, or an appropriate school official, if the referral documents the purpose for the testing, including the need to determine acuity of need, severity of symptoms, or level of impairment.

(d) Psychologist testing services may be provided in the psychologist's office, an outpatient clinic, an outpatient hospital, a general acute care hospital, a tribal health program, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, a residential psychiatric treatment center, or other setting appropriate for patient care.

(e) To be paid by the department for services provided under this section, a psychologist must maintain a specific record for all services provided, that

(1) identifies the source and reason for the referral;

(2) identifies the questions and issues that the testing addressed;

(3) identifies the psychological tests and techniques used; and

(4) includes the interpretation of all completed and attempted tests with observations, conclusions, and recommendations.

Notes

7 AAC 110.550

Eff. 2/1/2010, Register 193; am 4/24/2020, Register 234, April 2020

Authority:AS 47.05.010

AS 47.07.030

AS 47.07.040