DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
FINAL
ORDER
Chiropractic Services
NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS:
Delaware Health and Social Services (“Department”) / Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance initiated proceedings to amend Title XIX Medicaid State Plan and the DMMA Provider Policy Specific Manual regarding chiropractic services, specifically, to remove annual numerical limitations placed on chiropractic care visits for the purpose of treating back pain. The Department’s proceedings to amend its regulations were initiated pursuant to 29 Delaware Code Section 10114 and its authority as prescribed by 31 Delaware Code Section 512.
The Department published its notice of proposed regulation changes pursuant to 29 Delaware Code Section 10115 in the January 2019 Delaware Register of Regulations, requiring written materials and suggestions from the public concerning the proposed regulations to be produced by January 31, 2019 at which time the Department would receive information, factual evidence and public comment to the said proposed changes to the regulations.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL
Effective for services provided on and after January 11, 2019 Delaware Health and Social Services/Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DHSS/DMMA) proposes to amend Attachment 3.1-A Page 3 Addendum of Title XIX Medicaid State Plan and the Practitioner Provider Specific Manual, of the DMMA Provider Policy Specific Manuals sections 13.2.2 - 13.2.3.2 regarding chiropractic services.
Background
Senate Bill 225, an Act to Amend Title 16, Title 24, Title 29, and Title 31 of the Delaware Code Relating to Insurance Coverage for the Treatment of Back Pain, was enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Delaware, and signed into law on September 10, 2018, with an effective date of March 9, 2019. This Act encourages prescribers and patients to use proven non-opioid methods of treating back pain by prohibiting numerical limits on physical therapy and chiropractic care, which might deter prescribers or patients from using those treatments rather than opioids. As a result, DMMA is proposing to amend policy by removing annual limits associated with chiropractic treatment services.
Statutory Authority
Senate Bill 225
Purpose
The purpose of this proposed regulation is to remove annual numerical limitations placed on chiropractic care visits for the purpose of treating back pain.
Public Notice
In accordance with the federal public notice requirements established at Section 1902(a)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act and 42 CFR 447.205 and the state public notice requirements of Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code, Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS)/Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) gives public notice and provides an open comment period for thirty (30) days to allow all stakeholders an opportunity to provide input on the proposed regulation. Comments were to have been received by 4:30 p.m. on January 31, 2019.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Review and Approval
The provisions of this state plan amendment (SPA) are subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The draft SPA page(s) may undergo further revisions before and after submittal to CMS based upon public comment and/or CMS feedback. The final version may be subject to significant change.
Provider Manuals and Communications Update
Also, there may be additional provider manuals that may require updates as a result of these changes. The applicable Delaware Medical Assistance Program (DMAP) Provider Policy Specific Manuals and/or Delaware Medical Assistance Portal will be updated. Manual updates, revised pages or additions to the provider manual are issued, as required, for new policy, policy clarification, and/or revisions to the DMAP program. Provider billing guidelines or instructions to incorporate any new requirement may also be issued. A newsletter system is utilized to distribute new or revised manual material and to provide any other pertinent information regarding DMAP updates. DMAP updates are available on the Delaware Medical Assistance Portal website: https://medicaid.dhss.delaware.gov/provider
Fiscal Impact
The following fiscal impact is projected:
|
|
Federal Fiscal Year 2019
|
Federal Fiscal Year 2020
|
|
General (State) Funds
|
212,250
|
215,968
|
|
Federal Funds
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287,750
|
296,533
|
Summary of Comments Received with Agency Response and Explanation of Changes
DMMA received the following summarized observations:
Comment: The regulation is endorsed as proposed since it expands access to alternative pain care treatment options.
DMMA is pleased to provide the opportunity to receive public comments and greatly appreciates the thoughtful input given.
FINDINGS OF FACT:
The Department finds that the proposed changes as set forth in the January 2019 Register of Regulations should be adopted.
THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, that the proposed regulation to amend Title XIX Medicaid State Plan and the DMMA Provider Policy Specific Manual regarding chiropractic services, specifically, to remove annual numerical limitations placed on chiropractic care visits for the purpose of treating back pain, is adopted and shall be final effective March 11, 2019.
2/14/19
Date of Signature
Kara Odom Walker, MD, MPH, MSHS, Secretary, DHSS
FINAL
Attachment 3.1-A Page
3.Addendum
STATE PLAN UNDER TITLE XIX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT
STATE/TERRITORY: DELAWARE
LIMITATIONS ON AMOUNT, DURATION AND SCOPE OF MEDICAL AND REMEDIAL CARE AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE CATEGORICALLY NEEDY
6. Medical Care and other type of remedial care recognized under state law, furnished by licensed practitioners
within the scope of their practice as defined by state law (continued).
6.b. Optometrists’ Services
These services are reimbursed:
1. For Medicaid-eligible Individuals under age 21, as an EPSDT service (routine eye exams including refraction and
provision of eyeglasses); or
2. For Medicaid-eligible individuals over age 21, medically necessary diagnostic and treatment services provided
under the scope of optometric practice in State law for symptomatic Medicaid recipients (i.e. disease, injury, illness,
or other medical disorder of the eyes), excluding routine eye exams or refractions related to the provision of
eyeglasses and excluding coverage of eyeglasses.
6.c. Chiropractors’ Services
Chiropractic services are furnished in accordance with 42 CFR 440.60(b) and include only services that are provided
by a chiropractor who is licensed by the State, and consists of treatment by means of manual manipulation of the spine
that the chiropractor is legally authorized by the State to perform. Services may be subject to prior authorization and/or
medical review, and include:
1. Evaluation and management services;
2. Diagnostic x-rays; and
3. Chiropractic manipulative treatment.
Services are provided as follows:
1. For Medicaid-eligible Individuals under age 21, as an EPSDT service, per 42 CFR §441 Subpart B, furnished
upon medical necessity; or
2. For Medicaid-eligible individuals over age 21, furnished upon medical necessity and following the service
utilization criteria below:
a. One (1) office visit per year;
b. One (1) set of X-rays per year, and
c. Twenty (20) manipulations per year.
Provider Qualifications: Qualified chiropractors must be licensed per Delaware licensure requirements codified
in Chapter 7, Title 24 of the Delaware Administrative Code, Professions and Occupations.
6.d. Other Practitioners’ Services
1. Licensed Midwife services are services permitted under scope of practice authorized by state law for the
licensed midwife.
2. Licensed Behavioral Health Practitioner: A licensed behavioral health practitioner (LBHP) is a professional
who is licensed in the State of Delaware to diagnose and treat mental illness or substance abuse acting
within the scope of all applicable state laws and their professional license. A LBHP includes professionals
licensed to practice independently:
FINAL
Practitioner www.dmap.state.de.us Provider Policy Manual
13.0 Specific Criteria for Chiropractic Services
13.1 Member Eligibility
13.1.1 Providers must verify member eligibility by logging into the Delaware Medical Assistance Portal for Providers at https://Medicaid.dhss.delaware.gov/ or by using the Voice Response System (VRS) by calling 1-800-999-3371.
13.1.2 The DMAP will not cover eligible members for chiropractic services prior to October 1, 2014.
13.1.3 Effective January 1, 2018 chiropractic services was added as a Managed Care Organization (MCO) covered benefit.
13.2 Covered Services
13.2.1 Covered Services & Limitations
13.2.2 “Manual” manipulation of spine for treatment of spinal subluxation-one manipulation per member per day and a maximum of twenty (20) manipulations during a rolling twelve month period.
Chiropractic services are furnished in accordance with 42 CFR 440.60(b) and include only services that are provided by a chiropractor who is licensed by the State, and consists of treatment by means of manual manipulation of the spine that the chiropractor is legally authorized by the State to perform.
13.2.2.1 Manipulation associated with the treatment of neck, back, and pelvic/sacral pain.
13.2.3 Necessity for Treatment
The patient must have a significant health problem in the form of a neuromusculoskeletal condition necessitating treatment, and the manipulative services rendered must have a direct therapeutic relationship to the patient’s condition and provide reasonable expectation of recovery or improvement of function. The patient must have a subluxation of the spine as demonstrated by x-ray or back pain necessitating treatment as demonstrated by physical examination, as described below.
13.2.3.1 X-ray of complete spine only to document medical necessity for spinal subluxation; the x-ray must be taken within twelve (12) months of the date of service
X-ray may be used to diagnose spinal subluxation. If x-ray is used for this purpose, it must have been taken reasonably close to (within 12 months prior or 3 months following) the beginning of treatment. Coverage of spinal x-rays is limited to one set of spinal x-rays for a member in a rolling twelve-month period.
Additional X-rays may be taken within the same calendar year in order to document a new condition or an exacerbation/re-injury.
X-rays used to determine progress are limited to one study per calendar year. Progress X-ray studies, beyond the first in a calendar year, may be pre-authorized.
13.2.3.2 Physical exam to document spinal subluxation, back pain, or to determine progress; once in a rolling twelve-month period; evaluation must be demonstrated by meeting two of the following four criteria, one of which must be “13.2.3.4” below;
13.2.3.3 Pain/tenderness evaluated in terms of location, quality and intensity;
13.2.3.4 Asymmetry/misalignment identified on a sectional or segmental level;
13.2.3.5 Range of motion abnormality (changes in active, passive, and accessory joint movements resulting in an increase or a decrease of sectional or segmental mobility);
13.2.3.6 Tissue, tone changes in the characteristics of contiguous, or associated soft tissues, including skin, fascia, muscle, and ligament.
13.3 Non-Covered Services
13.3.1 Non-covered chiropractic services include the following:
