1. A. Audiology services are for the identification of children with auditory impairment, using at risk criteria and appropriate audiologic screening techniques. Audiology services include:

   1. 1. determination of range, nature and degree of hearing loss and communications, by use of audiological procedures;
   2. 2. referral for medical and other services necessary for the rehabilitation of children with auditory impairment; and
   3. 3. provision of auditory training, aural rehabilitation, speech reading and listening device orientation and training, and other services.

2. B. Speech pathology services are for the identification of children with communicative or oropharyngeal disorders and delays in development of communication skills including diagnosis and treatment. These services include:

   1. 1. referral for medical or other professional services necessary for the rehabilitation of children with communicative or oropharyngeal disorders and delays in development of communication skills; and
   2. 2. provision of services for the rehabilitation or prevention of communicative or oropharyngeal disorders and delays in development of communication skills.

3. C. Occupational therapy services address the functional needs of a child related to the performance of self-help skills, adaptive behavior, play and sensory, motor and postural development. Occupational therapy treatment services require a written referral or prescription by a physician licensed in Louisiana on at least an annual basis. An initial evaluation may be done without a referral or prescription. Occupational therapy services include:

   1. 1. identification, assessment, and intervention;
   2. 2. adaptation of the environment;
   3. 3. selection, design, and fabrication of assistive and orthotic devices to facilitate development and promote the acquisition of functional skills; and
   4. 4. prevention or reduction of the impact of initial or future impairment, delays in development, or loss of functional ability.

4. D. Physical therapy services are designed to improve the child’s movement dysfunction. Physical therapy treatment requires a written referral or prescription on at least an annual basis by a person licensed in Louisiana to practice medicine, surgery, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic. An exception to this requirement is that physical therapy services may be performed without a prescription to a child with a diagnosed developmental disability pursuant to the child’s plan of care. An initial evaluation does not require such referral or prescription. Physical therapy services include:

   1. 1. screening of infants and toddlers to identify movement dysfunction;
   2. 2. obtaining, interpreting and integrating information appropriate to program planning; and
   3. 3. services to prevent or alleviate movement dysfunction and related functional problems.

5. E. Psychological services are designed to obtain, integrate, and interpret information about child behavior, and child and family conditions related to learning, mental health, and development. Psychological services include:

   1. 1. administering psychological and developmental tests and other assessment procedures;
   2. 2. interpreting assessment results; and
   3. 3. planning and managing a program of mental health and behavioral interventions and education programs.

6. F. Services Provided by Local Education Agencies. Services provided by local education agencies include the health services as defined in Subsections A-E.1-3 above and specified related services as described in Paragraphs 1 and 2 below that are provided to children ages 3 to 21 determined to be medically necessary and are listed on the child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

   1. 1. Transportation to and from school is covered for Medicaid children only when a child’s medical needs require the use of specialized transportation services and when the child receives another covered EPSDT Health Service at the school on the day the transportation is provided. The EPSDT health service and the child’s specialized transportation needs MUST be identified in the child’s IEP.
   2. 2. Counseling services are services provided to assist the child and/or parents in treating and understanding the child’s disability, the special needs of the child, and the child’s development. Providers of counseling services must meet all licensing requirements for their respective licensing boards.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 30:1034 (May 2004), amended LR 31:664 (March 2005), amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 46:342 (March 2020).