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2020 Session

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Brewer
Medicaid Coverage of Licensed Behavioral Analysts and Assistant Behavioral Analysts (language only)

Item 313 #38h

Item 313 #38h

Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services

Language

Page 321, after line 18, insert:

"GGGG. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall amend its State Plan for Medical Assistance to allow for coverage of services provided by Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBAs) and Licensed Assistant Behavior Analysts (LABAs) and establish payment rates for those service codes in conformity with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services National Correct Coding Initiative."



Explanation

(This amendment adds language to requires the Department of Medical Assistance Services modify the coverage of service provided by certain professionals and establish payment rates. Currently, Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBAs) and Licensed Assistant Behavior Analysts (LABAs) provide services under Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) Behavioral Therapy in Community Mental Health Rehabilitation Services (CMHRS) using billing codes that do not comport with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Correct Coding Initiative. Thus, the service is limited only to children qualified for EPSDT, who are not receiving any other CMHRS services, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is conformed to the guidelines of behavioral therapy rather than the professional practice empirically validated standards established by the Virginia Board of Medicine. The current incorrect codes being used may result in improper payments because they are based on a single rate for all services that are provided and do not differentiate rates for professional and support staff, contrary to the CMS initiative. Including ABA in the state plan would allow LBAs and LABAs to practice with all populations and ages that require the service, will decrease the risk of improper payments and increase the workforce available to Virginians with Medicaid who are currently under-served due to professional workforce shortages.)