054.00.91 Ark. Code R. § 007 - Children's Preventive Health Care Reimbursement Levels

Section 1. Purpose

The purpose of this Regulation is to implement Arkansas Code Annotated § 23-79-141.

Section 2. Authority

This Rule is issued pursuant to the authority vested in the Commissioner under Ark. Code Ann. §§ 23-61-108, 23-76-125, 25-15-203 and 23-79-141.

Section 3. Applicability and Scope

This Rule applies to every disability insurer, hospital or medical service corporation, health maintenance organization ("HMO"), fraternal benefit society and self-insured plan transacting disability insurance or providing disability coverage in this State which delivers, issues for delivery, or renews, extends, or modifies disability policies, contracts, certificates and plans providing hospital and medical coverage on an expense incurred, service, or prepaid basis which contracts provide coverage for a family member of the insured person. This Regulation does not apply to disability income, specified disease, medicare supplement, hospital indemnity, or accident only policies.

Section 4. Effective Date

The effective date of this Rule is September 2, 1991.

Section 5. Definitions

A. Anticipatory Guidance

Anticipatory guidance shall include such things as visual evaluation (litmus machine or other ophthalmological testing not required), hearing evaluation (machine audiology test not required), dental inspection for children under two years of age, and a nutritional assessment.

B. Developmental Assessment

A developmental assessment should be obtained by history and observation of the child, or by one recognized developmental tests. This portion of the screening should include assessment of eye-hand coordination, gross motor function (walking, hopping, climbing), fine motor skills (use of finger dexterity and hand usage), speech development, daily living personal skills such as dressing, feeding and grooming oneself, behavioral development, and proofs of mind with body integration.

C. Lab Test/Immunizations

Laboratory procedures and immunizations should be performed as appropriate for the child's age. A hematocrit or hemoglobin test is recommended for children one (1) year of age and older and a urinalysis is recommended for children five (5) years of age and older. Other laboratory procedures are to be performed if it is deemed appropriate by the child's age and/or health history (i.e., lead toxicity, sickle cell, tuberculin, pap smear).

D. Medical History

A medical history is to be obtained from the parent, legal guardian, or other responsible adult who is familiar with the child's health history. The child's height and weight should also be recorded and compared with the ranges considered normal for children of that age.

E. Physical Examination

A physical examination is to be performed to note obvious physical defects including orthopedic, genital, skin, and other observable deviations.

Section 6. Reimbursement Levels

A. Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. 23-79-141(f), reimbursements not exceeding current Arkansas Medicaid reimbursement levels shall be provided for the same services as required by the Medicaid Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment program.

B. Each disability insurance policy, contract, certificate or plan providing benefits for children's preventive health care services on a periodic basis shall include eighteen (IB) visits at approximately the following age intervals: birth, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, S years, 10 years, 12 years, 14 years, and 16 years. A disability insurance policy, contract, certificate or plan may provide that children's preventive health care services which are rendered during a periodic review shall only be covered to the extent that these services are provided by or under the supervision of a single physician during the course of one visit. Co-payment and deductible amounts shall not be greater than co-payments and deductibles imposed for other physicians' office visits.

C. On and after January 1, 1992, insurers, HMO's and self-insured plans shall adhere to the Medicaid reimbursement levels as outlined in Section 6(A). Upon any subsequent decrease of Medicaid's reimbursement levels, insurers,

HMO's and self-insured plans shall immediately adjust their reimbursement levels so as not to exceed Medicaid's reimbursement levels for the State of Arkansas. Upon any subsequent increase in Medicaid's reimbursement levels for the State of Arkansas, insurers, HMO's, and self-insured plans may adjust their reimbursement levels accordingly, or may maintain reimbursement levels specified by the Arkansas Medicaid program as of January 1, 1992. Upon any adjustment of reimbursement levels necessitated by subsequent changes in Arkansas' Medicaid Program, insurers and HMO's shall comply with form and rate and/or rule filings required under the Arkansas Insurance Code to disclose such amendments.

Section 7. Periodic Screening Guidelines

The following is a part of the Arkansas Department of Health & Human. Services' Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis & Treatment ("EPSDT") Manual. The procedures outlined below are considered the minimum elements for proper periodic screening:

General Schedule for Medical/Dental Screen and Immunizations For Infants and Children

AGE	PREPARATION AND EXAMINATION
Birth to 6 months	EPSDT Screening and Dental Inspection* Oral Polio Vaccine DPT
6 Months to 1 year	EPSDT Screening and Dental Inspection* Oral Polio Vaccine DPT
1 through 2 years	EPSDT Screening and Dental Inspectian*/Examination (See Section 213.60 ) Oral Polio Booster DPT Booster
3 through 4 years	EPSDT Screening and Dentist Examination **
5 through 6 years	Pre-School EPSDT Screening and Dental Examination DPT Booster Oral Polio Vaccine Booster
8 years	EPSDT Screening and Dental Examination
10 through 12 years	EPSDT Screening and Dental Examination
14 years	EPSDT Screening and Dental Examination Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids, Adult Type
16 years	EPSDT Screening and Dental Examination

*Routine Dental Inspection only for obvious dental problems.

**The last dose of polio vaccine, DPT, DT or TD must have been after the child's 4th birthday.

Proper and timely application of the EPSDT Schedule and procedures described in these guidelines should enable the Arkansas EPSDT Program to reduce substantially the incidence of child morbidity throughout the State and in the long run reduce the human and financial costs associated with neglected health care.

Section 8. Severability

Any section or provision of this Rule held by a court to be invalid or unconstitutional will not affect the validity of any other section or provision of this Rule.

Notes

054.00.91 Ark. Code R. § 007

8/9/1991