DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Division of Public Health
PROPOSED
PUBLIC NOTICE
4102 School-Based Health Centers
House Bill 303, signed into law on June 26, 2012, adds School-Based Health Centers to Title 18 of Delaware Code. The Department of Health and Social Services is proposing regulations for School-Based Health Centers.
On December 1, 2012, the Family Health Systems section, under the Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services, plans to publish proposed regulations governing the State of Delaware School-Based Health Centers and hold them out for public comment per Delaware law.
Copies of the proposed regulations are available for review in the December 1, 2012 edition of the Delaware Register of Regulations, accessible online at: http://regulations.delaware.gov or by calling the Family Health Systems Section at (302) 744-4821.
Any person who wishes to submit suggestions, briefs or other written materials concerning the proposed regulations must submit same to Deborah Harvey by December 31, 2012 at:
Deborah Harvey
Division of Public Health
417 Federal Street
Dover, DE 19901
Email: Deborah.Harvey@state.de.us
Phone: (302) 744-4700
Fax (302) 739-6659
4102 School-Based Health Centers
These regulations are intended to implement the provisions of 18 Del.C. §3365 and 3517G, school-based health centers. These regulations apply to medical vendors who provide services at school-based health centers and health insurance plans who reimburse for covered medical services. These regulations define: (1) services offered in a school-based health center; (2) criteria for recognition as a school-based health center; (3) interactions with primary care providers; and (4) criteria for health promotion.
The following terms, when used in these regulations, should have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Agency” means the Division of Public Health, Bureau of Adolescent and Reproductive Health, school-based health center program.
“Parent” means the parent or legal guardian authorized to enroll a student in the school-based health center.
“School-based health center” means a health care clinic located in or near a school facility that is organized through school and health provider relationships that provides services designated in section 4.0 of this regulation.
“Student” means a child or adolescent who is enrolled in school.
3.1 School-based health centers (SBHC) are designed to reduce risk behaviors and improve health among children and adolescents through health promotion and education, early intervention, and preventive care. These services include physical examinations, treatment of minor acute medical conditions, counseling and community referrals. SBHC do not supplant the primary care provider, but rather serve to coordinate care between students and their primary care provider, as well as increase access to services.
3.2 A health care clinic may be designated as a school-based health center (SBHC) by the Agency if it has demonstrated that it meets the criteria provided in paragraphs 4.0-8.0 in these regulations. The Agency shall be the sole arbiter of the satisfaction of these criteria.
3.3 Application for designation shall be made to the Agency using a standard application form. The form is available by contacting the Division of Public Health, school-based health center program.
3.4 Designations are non-transferable and valid for a period of five years from date of issue. Application for renewal is available by contacting the Division of Public Health, school-based health center program.
4.1 A minor student must be enrolled in the SBHC by his or her parent/guardian in order to obtain services at the SBHC.
4.2 A SBHC shall be open during hours accessible to students. Information on hours of operation must be posted in areas frequented by students.
4.3 A SBHC is required to make services available under the categories of physical health, mental health, health education, and nutrition consultation/education, as outlined in this section.
4.3.1 Physical Health
4.3.1.1 Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of minor illness/injury.
4.3.1.2 Immunizations, in accordance with recommendations from the Division of Public Health.
4.3.2 Mental Health
4.3.2.1 Individual and group counseling.
4.3.2.2 Referral for long-term counseling and mental health evaluations and emergency treatment.
4.3.3 Health Education
4.3.3.1 Individual, group or classroom education, including but not limited to, healthy lifestyles and preventive health.
4.3.4 Nutrition Consultation/Education
4.3.4.1 Individual, group or classroom education, including but not limited to, healthy eating and weight management.
4.3.5 Subject to school board approval
4.3.5.1 Diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, reproductive health, provision of contraceptives, and HIV testing and counseling. Provision of these services by SBHCs is subject to the approval of the school board governing the SBHC locale.
4.3.6 Promotion of vaccination among enrolled students
4.3.6.1 SBHCs must promote provision of all vaccinations required or recommended by the Division of Public Health to enrolled students either on site or through referral to a primary care provider.
4.3.6.2 SBHCs shall promote vaccination among students through education and awareness activities.
5.1 A SBHC shall provide services through health professionals who:
5.1.1 Are experienced in community health and providing health services to school-aged children and adolescents.
5.1.2 Have knowledge of health promotion and preventive health strategies for children and adolescents.
5.1.3 Maintain up to date training and proper certification for the population to be served.
5.2 The organizational structure of the SBHC must be adequate to provide for appropriate clinic supervision of staff, and to ensure that staff are assigned responsibilities that are consistent with their education and experience and legally within their scope of practice. Staffing of the SBHC must include:
5.2.1 An individual designated as having overall responsibility for the management of the SBHC.
5.2.2 A licensed advanced practice nurse, physician assistant or physician, on a part-time basis at minimum.
5.2.3 An individual trained and experienced in nutrition for school-aged children and adolescents.
5.2.4 A licensed clinical social worker, psychologist or mental health counselor.
5.2.5 An individual responsible for the management of medical records.
6.1 SBHCs are required to implement and maintain a third-party insurance billing process for services provided.
6.2 A SBHC shall not charge co-pays or any other out-of-pocket fees for use of SBHC services.
6.3 Any services provided by SBHCs pursuant to a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) are not subject to third-party billing.
6.4 Insurance information on each student enrolled in the SBHC must be updated annually at minimum.
7.1 A SBHC must keep detailed records on the treatment of students receiving services, including but not limited to, documentation of contact with primary care providers.
7.2 A SBHC shall establish written protocol that describes how information will be shared with the student’s primary care provider.
8.1 A SBHC must implement and maintain a quality assurance plan. Components of the plan shall include at a minimum:
8.1.1 Ongoing clinical and medical record reviews by peers to ensure conformity with current standards of practice. The plan must include provisions for implementing corrective actions when deficiencies are noted.
8.1.2 Satisfaction assessments conducted with parents, students and/or school staff on a biennial basis.
8.1.3 The Agency may perform such reviews as it determines necessary to ensure continued compliance with SBHC standards. Review may include site visits, reviews of records and documents, or such other oversight as determined necessary by the Agency.
