1. A. Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2011, the reimbursement for certain Medicaid-covered health services rendered in the EarlySteps Program shall be reduced by 2 percent of the rate in effect on December 31, 2010.

   1. 1. The following services rendered in the natural environment shall be reimbursed at the reduced rate:

      1. a. audiology services;
      2. b. speech pathology services;
      3. c. occupational therapy;
      4. d. physical therapy; and
      5. e. psychological services.
   2. 2. Services rendered in special purpose facilities/inclusive child care and center-based special purpose facilities shall be excluded from this rate reduction.

2. B. Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2022, the reimbursement for Medicaid covered health services rendered in the EarlySteps Program (Part C of IDEA) shall be increased by 30 percent of the rate in effect on January 1, 2011.

   1. 1. The increased rate shall be applied to services provided in the following settings :

      1. a. natural environment that includes a child’s home and settings in the community where children of the same age with no disabilities or special needs participate;
      2. b. special purpose facility/inclusive child care that includes settings such as a child care center, nursery schools, or preschools where at least 50 percent of the children have no disabilities or developmental delays, and
      3. c. center-based special purpose facility that is a facility where only children with disabilities or developmental delays are served.

   2. 2. The following services shall be reimbursed at the increased rate:

      1. a. audiology services;
      2. b. speech language pathology services;
      3. c. occupational therapy;
      4. d. physical therapy; and
   3. e. psychological services.

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 30:800 (April 2004), amended LR 31:2030 (August 2005), LR 35:69 (January 2009), amended by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 37:1599 (June 2011), amended by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing and the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, LR 48:2971 (December 2022).