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2022 Special Session I

Budget Amendments - HB30 (Conference Report)

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Medicaid Mobile Vision Services (language only)

Item 304 #1c

Item 304 #1c

Health and Human Resources
Department of Medical Assistance Services

Language

Page 340, after line 10, insert:

"PPPP.1. Effective September 1, 2022, the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) shall revise its Medicaid and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) managed care organization (MCO) contracts to require MCOs to include provider agreements for mobile vision services provided to eligible children on school grounds in localities where local school divisions or schools have written agreements with mobile vision providers.

2. Mobile vision providers, subject to such agreements, shall provide comprehensive vision services including, at a minimum, a comprehensive vision exam  in compliance with recognized clinical standards to include the use of a binocular indirect ophthalmoscope and/or a wide-angle retinal imaging system, lenses, frames, and fittings.

3.  The Department of Medical Assistance Services shall require the Medicaid MCOs to expedite the enrollment and credentialing of the mobile vision providers in the MCO networks and shall work with managed care organizations to ensure that a variety of lens and frames are available to children receiving vision services in any setting.  The department shall have authority to implement these provisions prior to the completion of any regulatory process undertaken in order to effect such change."



Explanation

(This amendment adds language requiring the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to revise its contracts with Medicaid and FAMIS managed care organizations to include MCO provider agreements to provide access to mobile vision services in localities where local school divisions or schools have written agreements with mobile vision providers as an alternative service delivery model to increase access to vision services for children. Eye exams and glasses provided at “bricks and mortar” optometry practices are currently covered by Medicaid and FAMIS. Language allows for the comprehensive vision exam to include the use of alternative technology that bypasses the need for dilation of the eye. Language requires the department to require MCOs to expedite enrollment and credentialing of mobile vision providers and to work with the managed care organizations to offer a variety of lens and frame options for children in any setting.)