1. (a)

   1. (1) "Assistive technology or an adaptive equipment device" means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of an infant or toddler with a disability.
   2. (2) The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, including a cochlear implant, or the optimization (e.g., mapping), maintenance, or replacement of that device.
2. (b) Adaptive equipment or assistive technology devices may be provided to program-eligible children when the device (and service) is determined by the IFSP team to be necessary to reach child-participation goals and objectives on the IFSP and necessary to expand or enhance the functional capabilities of an infant or toddler to be able to participate in a typical child and, or, or both family activity (for example, ankle-foot orthotics, braces, or similar types of equipment may be needed by a child with cerebral palsy to increase, maintain, or improve the child’s functional mobility).
3. (c) An assistive technology or adaptive equipment service is any service that directly assists a child or their family in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology or adaptive equipment device.
4. (d) An assistive technology or adaptive equipment device local provider program must be enrolled as a durable medical equipment provider with the Arkansas Medicaid Program.

5. (e) An assistive technology or adaptive equipment service provider is required to:

   1. (1) Provide instruction and training on how to use assistive technology or adaptive equipment to the child and parent or other caregiver of a program-eligible child as required;
   2. (2) Provide ongoing assistance to adjust any assistive technology or adaptive equipment as needed;
   3. (3) Assume liability for assistive technology or adaptive equipment devices and warranties;
   4. (4) Install, maintain, and replace any defective parts or devices;
   5. (5) Research and recoup payment from any third-party sources available to the child and their parent prior to billing First Connections; and
   6. (6) Submit the purchase or rental price for assistive technology or adaptive equipment within five (5) business days from the date a request is received from the service coordinator.

6. (f) A local provider program must maintain the following documentation in the child’s electronic record for each assistive technology or adaptive equipment device order:

   1. (1) The date the order was received;
   2. (2) The name of the service coordinator or other EI professional who placed the order;
   3. (3) The price quoted for the order;
   4. (4) The date the quote was submitted to the service coordinator or other EI professional;
   5. (5) A copy of the Medicaid or private insurance denial, if applicable;
   6. (6) The date of delivery and installation of the assistive technology or adaptive equipment device;
   7. (7) A narrative of the instruction and training provided to the child and parent or other caregiver when installed; and
   8. (8) The parent or other caregiver’s signature verifying that the delivery, installation, and required instruction and training were completed.

Codification Notes: "EI" means early intervention.