1. (a)

   1. (1) Assistive technology services (including hearing services, aids, and assistive listening devices such as telecoils) may be considered for each individual in terms of his or her employment plan.
   2. (2) Assistive technology services are defined as the systematic application engineering methodologies and scientific principles to meet the needs of, and address the barriers confronted by, individuals with disabilities.

   3. (3) Assistive technology services may be useful in areas including:

      1. (A) Education;
      2. (B) Rehabilitation;
      3. (C) Employment;
      4. (D) Transportation;
      5. (E) Independent living; and
      6. (F) Recreation.

   4. (4) Likewise, rehabilitation engineering is the systematic application of engineering sciences to design, develop, adapt, test, evaluate, apply, and distribute technological solutions to problems confronted by individuals with disabilities in:

      1. (A) Functional areas, such as:

2. (i) Mobility;

   1. (ii) Communications;

      1. (iii) Hearing;

         1. (iv) Vision; and
         2. (v) Cognition; and

      2. (B) Activities associated with:

         1. (i) Employment;
         2. (ii) Independent living;
         3. (iii) Education; and
         4. (iv) Integration into the community.

3. (b)

   1. (1) If the individual’s VR counselor deems assistive technology or rehabilitation engineering services appropriate, the counselor may refer the individual for evaluation and assessment by the Access and Accommodations Section.

   2. (2) In order to refer to the Access and Accommodations Section, the counselor will follow the procedures for evaluation and assessment found in Appendix B (Special Programs Access and Accommodations) and Appendix E (Forms Access and Accommodations).

      1. (c) Procedures — Assistive technology services/rehabilitation engineering.
   3. (1) Check for appropriate status in the case management system.
   4. (2) Documentation of the action to be taken will be made in the case note.

   5. (3)

      1. (A) Complete referral procedures for Access and Accommodations for an evaluation/assessment.
      2. (B) See Forms, Appendix E, and Special Programs, Appendix B.
   6. (4) Counselor meets with individual to discuss findings of assistive technology/ rehabilitation engineering evaluation in accordance with informed choice and with similar benefits.
   7. (5) Refer to the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services vendor list or secure W-9 from new vendor.
   8. (6) Key required information into the case management system for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services purchase authorization.

   9. (7)

      1. (A) Verify that the individual received the device/service and is able to use the device/service.
      2. (B) Document in ECF.

   10. (8)

       1. (A) Invoices for assistive technology/rehabilitation engineering services must be itemized.
       2. (B) Each line item must correspond to the device or service authorized for the individual in his or her Access and Accommodations evaluation.
       3. (C) Nonitemized or bundled invoices will be rejected and returned to the vendor.

   11. (9)

       1. (A) Each line item on the invoice must correspond to an appropriate billing code from the HCPCS.
       2. (B) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services may request further documentation to support a given billing code and reserves the right to refuse payment if the vendor cannot provide the documentation requested.
   12. (10) Arkansas Rehabilitation Services will issue payment for assistive technology/rehabilitation engineering services according to the price indicated in the current Medicare or Arkansas Workers’ Compensation fee schedule, beginning with Medicare, for a given HCPCS line item.
   13. (11) For services covered by neither Medicare nor Arkansas Workers’ Compensation, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services will pay up to fifty percent (50%) of the total charges billed for the assistive technology or rehabilitation technology.
   14. (12) For individuals with insurance coverage for assistive technology/rehabilitation engineering services, Arkansas Rehabilitation Services will issue payment after that coverage has been applied.
   15. (13) Refer to out-of-state policy limitations, if necessary.

Codification Notes: “ECF” means electronic case file. "HCPCS" means Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System. "VR" means vocational rehabilitation.