The Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Services (DMS) has recently made changes to the Child Health Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Services regulations. The changes will allow new reimbursement opportunities for local education agencies (LEAs) related to vision and hearing screens provided to students. The purpose of this memorandum is to inform LEAs of the new process and to direct LEAs to the location of important additional information.
Two significant regulation changes will begin on October 1, 2006:
1) Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), with supervision from a Registered Nurse (RN), will be able to bill Medicaid for vision and hearing screens provided to students, and
2) Hearing screens for students will no longer require a referral from the Primary Care Physician (PCP).
LEAs interested in receiving reimbursement for provided screening must first apply to Medicaid for a provider number. An EPSDT agreement must be signed by the nurse that will be completing the screens, indicating the appropriate training to perform the screens has been received.
For more information, instructions on the completion of a Medicaid Provider Enrollment Application, and a downloadable copy of the application, go to the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), Special Education website at http://arksped.k12.ar.us and access the Medicaid in the Schools link on the navigation panel to the left.