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2021 Session

Budget Amendments - HB1800 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Carr
Medicaid Support for Mobile Vision Clinics for Kids

Item 313 #3h

Item 313 #3h

First Year - FY2021 Second Year - FY2022
Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services FY2021 $0 FY2022 $382,823 GF
FY2021 $0 FY2022 $478,712 NGF

Language
Page 345, line 39, strike "$17,494,923,315" and insert "$17,495,784,850".

Page 382, after line 17, insert:

"AAAAAA.1. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall reimburse mobile vision clinics providing comprehensive vision care services to children in a school-based setting. To cover these services for children enrolled with a Medicaid managed care organization (MCO), the Department shall revise its MCO contracts to provide for direct reimbursement to such clinics by the MCO at the fee-for-service rate. For children not enrolled with a Medicaid MCO, the Department shall directly reimburse the clinic for services provided at the fee-for-service rate.

2. Mobile vision services shall be reimbursed in full for necessary comprehensive vision services including, at a minimum, an eye exam, lenses, frames, and fitting.  In order to be eligible for reimbursement for mobile vision clinic services, a clinic shall have a written agreement with the school or school division where such services are provided. The agreement shall establish (i) how children will be referred for school-located vision services, (ii) a mechanism for ensuring parental or legal guardian notification, and (iii) a referral process for children needing follow up care. Such services shall be provided by a Virginia-licensed optometrist employed by or under contract with the mobile vision clinic.

3. To demonstrate the impact that school-based mobile vision clinic services have on Medicaid and FAMIS-enrolled children, such mobile vision clinics shall report annually by September 1 to the Board of Medical Assistance Services and the Medicaid Managed Care Organization Workgroup on the number of children it has served through the mobile vision clinic model, the rate of children obtaining vision care after being identified as needing vision care through an in-school vision screening or other school-based referral, and the number of children served through the mobile vision clinic model who are referred for further care.  Mobile vision clinics shall comply with all relevant federal, state, and DMAS provider requirements. The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall have the authority to promulgate emergency regulations to implement such changes within 280 days or less from the enactment of this act."



Explanation

(This amendment provides $382,823 from the general fund and $478,712 from matching federal Medicaid funds the second year to expand Medicaid/FAMIS coverage of mobile vision clinics serving schools by removing restrictions that limit access to this service. Eye exams and glasses provided at “bricks and mortar” optometry practices are currently covered by Medicaid and FAMIS. This budget amendment establishes an alternative delivery model to provide currently covered services in a way that increases access for children, timely utilization of these services and increases in the academic success of Virginia’s children.)