Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-20-160.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 388-531-0100 Scope of coverage for physician-related and healthcare professional services -- General and administrative, 388-531-0150 Noncovered physician-related and healthcare professional services -- General and administrative, 388-531-0200 Physician-related and healthcare professional services requiring prior authorization, 388-531-0250 Who can provide and bill for physician-related and healthcare professional services, 388-531-0375 Audiology services, 388-531-0400 Client responsibility for reimbursement for physician-related services, 388-531-1000 Ophthalmic services, 388-531-1025 Oral healthcare services provided by dentists for clients age twenty-one and older -- General, and 388-531-1300 Foot care services for clients twenty-one years of age and older.

     Hearing Location(s): Office Building 2, Auditorium, DSHS Headquarters, 1115 Washington, Olympia, WA 98504 (public parking at 11th and Jefferson. A map is available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/RPAU-OB-2directions.html or by calling (360) 664-6094), on June 21, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not sooner than June 22, 2011.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, delivery Office Building 2, DSHS Headquarters, 1115 Washington, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on June 21, 2011.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by May 24, 2011, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6094 or by e-mail at jennisha.johnson@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Upon order of the governor, the medicaid purchasing administration (MPA) must reduce its budget expenditures for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, by 6.3 percent. To achieve this expenditure reduction, MPA is eliminating optional medical services from program benefit packages for clients twenty-one years of age and older. These medical services include vision, hearing, and dental. Chapter 388-531 WAC is being amended to include medical services previously listed in the programs to be eliminated that are necessary to, and included within, appropriate mandatory medical services under federal statutes and rules.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Governor Gregoire issued Executive Order 10-04 on September 13, 2010, under the authority of RCW 43.88.110(7). In the executive order, the governor required DSHS and all other state agencies to reduce their expenditures in state fiscal year 2011 by approximately 6.3 percent. As a consequence of the executive order, funding is no longer available as of January 1, 2011, for the benefits that are being eliminated as part of these regulatory amendments.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.08.090.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: DSHS, MPA, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Wendy L. Boedigheimer, P.O. Box 45504, Olympia, WA 98504-5504, (360) 725-1306; Implementation and Enforcement: Ellen Silverman, P.O. Box 45506, Olympia, WA 98504-5506, (360) 725-1570.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The department has analyzed the proposed rule amendments and determined that there are no new costs associated with these changes and they do not impose disproportionate costs on small businesses.

     A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Ellen Silverman, P.O. Box 45506, Olympia, WA 98504-5506, phone (360) 725-1570, fax (360) 586-9727, e-mail Ellen.Silverman@dshs.wa.gov.

April 28, 2011

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

     (a) Within the scope of an eligible client's medical assistance program. Refer to WAC 388-501-0060 and 388-501-0065; and

     (b) Medically necessary as defined in WAC 388-500-0005.

     (2) The department evaluates a request for a service that is in a covered category under the provisions of WAC 388-501-0165.

     (3) The department evaluates requests for covered services that are subject to limitations or other restrictions and approves such services beyond those limitations or restrictions as described in WAC 388-501-0169.

     (4) The department covers the following physician-related services and healthcare professional services, subject to the conditions in subsections (1), (2), and (3) of this section:

     (a) Allergen immunotherapy services;

     (b) Anesthesia services;

     (c) Dialysis and end stage renal disease services (refer to chapter 388-540 WAC);

     (d) Emergency physician services;

     (e) ENT (ear, nose, and throat) related services;

     (f) Early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment (EPSDT) services (refer to WAC 388-534-0100);

     (g) ((Family planning)) Reproductive health services (refer to chapter 388-532 WAC);

     (h) Hospital inpatient services (refer to chapter 388-550 WAC);

     (i) Maternity care, delivery, and newborn care services (refer to chapter 388-533 WAC);

     (j) Office visits;

     (k) Vision-related services((,)) (refer to chapter 388-544 WAC for vision hardware for clients twenty years of age and younger);

     (l) Osteopathic treatment services;

     (m) Pathology and laboratory services;

     (n) Physiatry and other rehabilitation services (refer to chapter 388-550 WAC);

     (o) Foot care and podiatry services (refer to WAC 388-531-1300);

     (p) Primary care services;

     (q) Psychiatric services, provided by a psychiatrist;

     (r) Psychotherapy services for children as provided in WAC 388-531-1400;

     (s) Pulmonary and respiratory services;

     (t) Radiology services;

     (u) Surgical services;

     (v) Cosmetic, reconstructive, or plastic surgery, and related services and supplies to correct physiological defects from birth, illness, or physical trauma, or for mastectomy reconstruction for post cancer treatment; ((and))

     (w) Oral healthcare services for emergency conditions for clients twenty-one years of age and older, except for clients of the division of developmental disabilities (refer to WAC 388-531-1025); and

     (x) Other outpatient physician services.

     (5) The department covers physical examinations for medical assistance clients only when the physical examination is one or more of the following:

     (a) A screening exam covered by the EPSDT program (see WAC 388-534-0100);

     (b) An annual exam for clients of the division of developmental disabilities; or

     (c) A screening pap smear, mammogram, or prostate exam.

     (6) By providing covered services to a client eligible for a medical assistance program, a provider who has signed an agreement with the department accepts the department's rules and fees as outlined in the agreement, which includes federal and state law and regulations, billing instructions, and department issuances.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.09.521. 08-12-030, § 388-531-0100, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.700. 06-24-036, § 388-531-0100, filed 11/30/06, effective 1/1/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.520. 01-01-012, § 388-531-0100, filed 12/6/00, effective 1/6/01.]

     (a) Acupuncture, massage, or massage therapy;

     (b) Any service specifically excluded by statute;

     (c) Care, testing, or treatment of infertility, frigidity, or impotency. This includes procedures for donor ovum, sperm, womb, and reversal of vasectomy or tubal ligation;

     (d) Cosmetic treatment or surgery, except for medically necessary reconstructive surgery to correct defects attributable to trauma, birth defect, or illness;

     (e) Experimental or investigational services, procedures, treatments, devices, drugs, or application of associated services, except when the individual factors of an individual client's condition justify a determination of medical necessity under WAC 388-501-0165;

     (f) Hair transplantation;

     (g) Marital counseling or sex therapy;

     (h) More costly services when the department determines that less costly, equally effective services are available;

     (i) Vision-related services ((listed)) as ((noncovered in chapter 388-544 WAC;)) follows:

     (i) Services for cosmetic purposes only;

     (ii) Group vision screening for eyeglasses; and

     (iii) Refractive surgery of any type that changes the eye's refractive error. The intent of the refractive surgery procedure is to reduce or eliminate the need for eyeglass or contact lens correction. This refractive surgery does not include intraocular lens implantation following cataract surgery.

     (j) Payment for body parts, including organs, tissues, bones and blood, except as allowed in WAC 388-531-1750;

     (k) Physician-supplied medication, except those drugs administered by the physician in the physician's office;

     (l) Physical examinations or routine checkups, except as provided in WAC 388-531-0100;

     (m) ((Routine foot care. This does not include clients who have a medical condition that affects the feet, such as diabetes or arteriosclerosis obliterans. Routine foot care includes, but is not limited to:

     (i) Treatment of mycotic disease;

     (ii) Removal of warts, corns, or calluses;

     (iii) Trimming of nails and other hygiene care; or

     (iv) Treatment of flat feet;

     (n) Except as provided in WAC 388-531-1600, weight reduction and control services, procedures, treatments, devices, drugs, products, gym memberships, equipment for the purpose of weight reduction, or the application of associated services)) Foot care, unless the client meets criteria and conditions outlined in WAC 388-531-1300, as follows:

     (i) Routine foot care, such as but not limited to:

     (A) Treatment of tinea pedis;

     (B) Cutting or removing warts, corns and calluses; and

     (C) Trimming, cutting, clipping, or debriding of nails.

     (ii) Nonroutine foot care, such as, but not limited to treatment of:

     (A) Flat feet;

     (B) High arches (cavus foot);

     (C) Onychomycosis;

     (D) Bunions and tailor's bunion (hallux valgus);

     (E) Hallux malleus;

     (F) Equinus deformity of foot, acquired;

     (G) Cavovarus deformity, acquired;

     (H) Adult acquired flatfoot (metatarsus adductus or pes planus);

     (I) Hallux limitus.

     (iii) Any other service performed in the absence of localized illness, injury, or symptoms involving the foot.

     (((o))) (n) Nonmedical equipment; ((and))

     (((p))) (o) Nonemergent admissions and associated services to out-of-state hospitals or noncontracted hospitals in contract areas;

     (p) Bilateral cochlear implantation; and

     (q) Routine or nonemergency medical and surgical dental services provided by a doctor of dental medicine or dental surgery for clients twenty one years of age and older, except for clients of the division of developmental disabilities.

     (2) The department covers excluded services listed in (1) of this subsection if those services are mandated under and provided to a client who is eligible for one of the following:

     (a) The EPSDT program;

     (b) A medicaid program for qualified medicare beneficiaries (QMBs); or

     (c) A waiver program.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090. 10-19-057, § 388-531-0150, filed 9/14/10, effective 10/15/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.520. 05-12-022, § 388-531-0150, filed 5/20/05, effective 6/20/05; 01-01-012, § 388-531-0150, filed 12/6/00, effective 1/6/01.]

     (2) The EPA process is designed to eliminate the need for telephone prior authorization for selected admissions and procedures.

     (a) The provider must create an authorization number using the process explained in the department's physician-related billing instructions.

     (b) Upon request, the provider must provide supporting clinical documentation to the department showing how the authorization number was created.

     (c) Selected ((nonemergent)) nonemergency admissions to contract hospitals require EPA. These are identified in the department billing instructions.

     (d) Procedures ((requiring)) allowing expedited prior authorization include, but are not limited to, the following:

     (i) ((Bladder repair;

     (ii) Hysterectomy for clients age forty-five and younger, except with a diagnosis of cancer(s) of the female reproductive system;

     (iii) Outpatient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA);

     (iv))) Reduction mammoplasties/mastectomy for ((geynecomastia)) gynecomastia; ((and))

     (((v))) (ii) Strabismus surgery for clients eighteen years of age and older;

     (iii) Meningococcal vaccine;

     (iv) Placement of drug eluting stent and device;

     (v) Cochlear implants for clients twenty years of age and younger;

     (vi) Hyperbaric oxygen therapy;

     (vii) Visual exam/refraction for clients twenty-one years of age and older;

     (viii) Blepharoplasties; and

     (ix) Neuropsychological testing for clients sixteen years of age and older.

     (3) The department evaluates new technologies under the procedures in WAC 388-531-0550. These require prior authorization.

     (4) Prior authorization is required for the following:

     (a) Abdominoplasty;

     (b) All inpatient hospital stays for acute physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R);

     (c) Unilateral cochlear implants((, which also:

     (i) For coverage, must be performed in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) or an inpatient or outpatient hospital facility; and

     (ii) For reimbursement, must have the invoice attached to the claim)) for clients twenty years of age and younger (refer to WAC 388-531-0375);

     (d) Diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders for clients twenty-one years of age and older;

     (e) Osteopathic manipulative therapy in excess of the department's published limits;

     (f) Panniculectomy;

     (g) Bariatric surgery (see WAC 388-531-1600); and

     (h) Vagus nerve stimulator insertion, which also:

     (i) For coverage, must be performed in an inpatient or outpatient hospital facility; and

     (ii) For reimbursement, must have the invoice attached to the claim.

     (i) Osseointegrated/bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) for clients twenty years of age and younger;

     (j) Removal or repair of previously implanted BAHA or cochlear device for clients twenty one years of age and older when medically necessary.

     (5) The department may require a second opinion and/or consultation before authorizing any elective surgical procedure.

     (6) Children six ((year)) years of age and younger do not require authorization for hospitalization.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090. 10-19-057, § 388-531-0200, filed 9/14/10, effective 10/15/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.520. 05-12-022, § 388-531-0200, filed 5/20/05, effective 6/20/05; 01-01-012, § 388-531-0200, filed 12/6/00, effective 1/6/01.]

     (a) Advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP);

     (b) Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs);

     (c) Health departments;

     (d) Hospitals currently licensed by the department of health;

     (e) Independent (outside) laboratories CLIA certified to perform tests. See WAC 388-531-0800;

     (f) Licensed marriage and family therapists, only as provided in WAC 388-531-1400;

     (g) Licensed mental health counselors, only as provided in WAC 388-531-1400;

     (h) Licensed radiology facilities;

     (i) Licensed social workers, only as provided in WAC 388-531-1400 and 388-531-1600;

     (j) Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery centers;

     (k) Medicare-certified rural health clinics;

     (l) Providers who have a signed agreement with the department to provide screening services to eligible persons in the EPSDT program;

     (m) Registered nurse first assistants (RNFA); and

     (n) Persons currently licensed by the state of Washington department of health to practice any of the following:

     (i) Dentistry (refer to chapter 388-535 WAC);

     (ii) Medicine and osteopathy;

     (iii) Nursing;

     (iv) Optometry; or

     (v) Podiatry.

     (2) The department does not pay for services performed by any of the following practitioners:

     (a) Acupuncturists;

     (b) Christian Science practitioners or theological healers;

     (c) Counselors, except as provided in WAC 388-531-1400;

     (d) Herbalists;

     (e) Homeopaths;

     (f) Massage therapists as licensed by the Washington state department of health;

     (g) Naturopaths;

     (h) Sanipractors;

     (i) Social workers, except those who have a master's degree in social work (MSW), and:

     (i) Are employed by an FQHC;

     (ii) Who have prior authorization to evaluate a client for bariatric surgery; or

     (iii) As provided in WAC 388-531-1400.

     (j) Any other licensed or unlicensed practitioners not otherwise specifically provided for in WAC ((388-502-0010)) 388-502-0002; or

     (k) Any other licensed practitioners providing services which the practitioner is not:

     (i) Licensed to provide; and

     (ii) Trained to provide.

     (3) The department pays practitioners listed in subsection (2) of this section for physician-related services if those services are mandated by, and provided to, clients who are eligible for one of the following:

     (a) The EPSDT program;

     (b) A medicaid program for qualified medicare beneficiaries (QMB); or

     (c) A waiver program.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.09.521. 08-12-030, § 388-531-0250, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.520. 05-12-022, § 388-531-0250, filed 5/20/05, effective 6/20/05; 01-01-012, § 388-531-0250, filed 12/6/00, effective 1/6/01.]

     (a) The client meets one of the following:

     (i) Has a diagnosis of profound to severe bilateral, sensorineural hearing loss;

     (ii) Has stimulable auditory nerves but has limited benefit from appropriately fitted hearing aids (e.g., fail to meet age-appropriate auditory milestones in the best-aided condition for young children, or score of less than ten or equal to forty percent correct in the best-aided condition on recorded open-set sentence recognition tests);

     (iii) Has the cognitive ability to use auditory clues;

     (iv) Is willing to undergo an extensive rehabilitation program;

     (v) Has an accessible cochlear lumen that is structurally suitable for cochlear implantation;

     (vi) Does not have lesions in the auditory nerve and/or acoustic areas of the central nervous system; or

     (vii) Has no other contraindications to surgery; and

     (b) The procedure is performed in an inpatient hospital setting or outpatient hospital setting.

     (2) The department covers osseointegrated bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) for clients twenty years of age and younger with prior authorization.

     (3) The department covers replacement parts for BAHA and cochlear devices for clients twenty years of age and younger only. See WAC 388-547-0800.

     (4) The department considers requests for removal or repair of previously implanted bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) and cochlear devices for clients twenty one years of age and older only when medically necessary. Prior authorization from the department is required.

     (5) For audiology, the department limits:

     (a) Caloric vestibular testing to four units for each ear; and

     (b) Sinusoidal vertical axis rotational testing to three units for each direction.

[]

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.520. 01-01-012, § 388-531-0400, filed 12/6/00, effective 1/6/01.]

     (b) The blocked vision is within ten degrees of central fixation using a central visual field test.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.520. 01-01-012, § 388-531-1000, filed 12/6/00, effective 1/6/01.]

     (1) Clients age twenty-one and older are eligible for the oral healthcare services listed in this section, subject to coverage limitations. The department pays for oral healthcare services provided by a dentist to clients age twenty-one and older when the services provided:

     (a) Are within the scope of the eligible client's medical care program;

     (b) Are medically necessary as defined in WAC 388-500-0005;

     (c) Are emergency services and meet the criteria of coverage for emergency oral healthcare benefit listed in subsection (7) of this section;

     (d) Are documented in the client's record in accordance with chapter 388-502 WAC;

     (e) Meet the department's prior authorization requirements, if there are any;

     (f) Are within prevailing standard of care accepted practice standards;

     (g) Are consistent with a diagnosis of teeth, mouth and jaw disease or condition;

     (h) Are reasonable in amount and duration of care, treatment, or service;

     (i) Are billed using only the allowed procedure codes listed in the department's published billing instructions and fee schedules; and

     (j) Are documented with a comprehensive description of the client's presenting symptoms, diagnosis and services provided, in the client's record, including the following, if applicable:

     (i) Client's blood pressure, when appropriate;

     (ii) A surgical narrative;

     (iii) A copy of the post-operative instructions; and

     (iv) A copy of all pre- and post-operative prescriptions.

     (2) An appropriate consent form, if required, signed and dated by the client or the client's legal representative must be in the client's record.

     (3) An anesthesiologist providing oral healthcare under this section must have a current provider's permit on file with the department.

     (4) A healthcare provider providing oral or parenteral conscious sedation, or general anesthesia, must meet:

     (a) The provider's professional organization guidelines;

     (b) The department of health (DOH) requirements in chapter 246-817 WAC; and

     (c) Any applicable DOH medical, dental, and nursing anesthesia regulations.

     (5) Department-enrolled dental providers who are not specialized to perform oral and maxillofacial surgery (see WAC 388-535-1070(3)) must use only the current dental terminology (CDT) codes to bill claims for services that are listed in this section.

     (6) Oral healthcare services must be provided in a clinic setting, with the exception of trauma related services.

     (7) Emergency oral healthcare benefit.

     (a) Medical and surgical services provided by a doctor of dental medicine or dental surgery, which, if provided by a physician, are considered a physician service, are included in the emergency oral healthcare benefit when the services are done on an emergency basis. All services are subject to prior authorization when indicated.

     (b) The following set of services are covered under the emergency oral healthcare benefit when provided by a dentist to assess and treat pain, infection or trauma of the mouth, jaw, or teeth, including treatment of post-surgical complications, such as dry socket and services that are part of a cancer treatment regimen or part of a pre-transplant protocol:

     (i) One emergency examination, per presenting problem, performed as a limited oral evaluation to:

     (A) Evaluate the client's symptom of pain;

     (B) Make a diagnosis; and

     (C) Develop or implement a treatment plan, including a referral to another healthcare professional, such as an oral surgeon; or

     (D) A second evaluation if the treatment initiated is conservative, such as prescribed antibiotics, and a subsequent visit is necessary for definitive treatment, such as tooth extraction. The treatment plan must be documented in the client's record.

     (ii) Diagnostic radiographs (xrays).

     (A) Radiographs include:

     (I) Periapical; and

     (II) Panoramic films, limited to one every three years.

     (B) Radiographs must:

     (I) Be required to make the diagnosis;

     (II) Support medical necessity;

     (III) Be of diagnostic quality, dated and labeled with the client's name;

     (IV) Be retained by the provider as part of the client's record. The retained radiograph must be the original.

     (C) Duplicate radiographs must be submitted with prior authorization requests or when the department requests a copy of the client's dental record.

     (iii) Pulpal debridement. One gross pulpal debridement per client, per tooth, within a twelve-month period.

     (iv) Extractions and surgical extractions for symptomatic teeth, limited to:

     (A) Extraction of a nearly-erupted or fully erupted tooth or exposed root;

     (B) Surgical removal of an erupted tooth only;

     (C) Surgical removal of residual tooth roots; and

     (D) Extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth when the tooth is not erupted.

     (v) Palliative (emergency) treatment for the treatment of dental pain, one per client, per six-month period, during a limited oral evaluation appointment.

     (vi) Local anesthesia and regional blocks as part of the global fee for any procedure being provided to a client.

     (vii) Inhalation of nitrous oxide, once per day.

     (viii) House or extended care facility visits, for emergency care as defined in this section.

     (ix) Emergency office visits after regularly scheduled hours. The department limits coverage to one emergency visit per day, per provider.

     (x) Therapeutic drug injections including drugs and/or medicaments (pharmaceuticals) only when used with general anesthesia.

     (xi) Treatment of post-surgical complications, such as dry socket.

     (c) Emergency healthcare benefit services provided by dentists specialized in oral maxillofacial surgery. Services that are covered under the emergency oral healthcare benefit to assess and treat pain, infection or trauma of the mouth, jaw, or teeth, including treatment of post-surgical complications, such as dry socket and services that are part of a cancer treatment regimen or part of a pre-transplant protocol:

     (i) May be provided by dentists specialized in oral maxillofacial surgery; and

     (ii) Are billed using only the allowed procedure codes listed in the department's published billing instructions and fee schedules.

     (8) Prior Authorization for oral healthcare services provided by dentists for clients age twenty-one and older.

     (a) The department uses the determination process described in WAC 388-501-0165 for covered oral healthcare services for clients age twenty-one and older for an emergency condition that requires prior authorization.

     (b) The department requires a dental provider who is requesting prior authorization to submit sufficient objective clinical information to establish medical necessity. The request must be submitted in writing on the DSHS 13-835 general information for authorization form which may be obtained at http://dshs.wa.gov/msa/forms/eforms.html.

     (c) The department may request additional information as follows:

     (i) Additional radiographs (X rays);

     (ii) Study models;

     (iii) Photographs; and

     (iv) Any other information as determined by the department.

     (d) The department may require second opinions and/or consultations before authorizing any procedure.

     (e) When the department authorizes an oral healthcare service for a client, that authorization indicates only that the specific service is medically necessary and an emergency, it is not a guarantee of payment. The authorization is valid for six months and only if the client is eligible and the service is covered in the client's healthcare benefit package on the date of service.

     (f) The department denies a request for an oral healthcare service when the requested service:

     (i) Is not covered in the client's healthcare benefit package;

     (ii) Is covered by another department program;

     (iii) Is covered by an agency or other entity outside the department; or

     (iv) Fails to meet the clinical criteria, limitations, or restrictions in this section.

     (9) Refer to chapter 388-535 WAC and WAC 388-531-1850 and 388-531-1900 for the payment methodologies used for the services listed in this section.

[]

     (e) X rays for any part of the body other than the foot or ankle)) This section addresses care of the lower extremities (foot and ankle) referred to as foot care and applies to clients twenty-one years of age and older.

     (2) The department covers the foot care services listed in this section when those services are provided by any of the following healthcare providers and billed to the department using procedure codes and diagnosis codes that are within their scope of practice:

     (a) Physicians or physician's assistants-certified (PA-C);

     (b) Osteopathic physicians, surgeons, or physician's assistant-certified (PA-C);

     (c) Podiatric physicians and surgeons; or

     (d) Advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNP).

     (3) The department covers evaluation and management visits to assess and diagnose conditions of the lower extremities. Once diagnosis is made, the department covers treatment if the criteria in subsection (4) of this section are met.

     (4) The department pays for:

     (a) Treatment of the following conditions of the lower extremities only when there is an acute condition, an exacerbation of a chronic condition, or presence of a systemic condition such as metabolic, neurologic, or peripheral vascular disease and evidence that the treatment will prevent, cure or alleviate a condition in the client that causes pain resulting in the inability to perform activities of daily living, acute disability, or threatens to cause the loss of life or limb, unless otherwise specified:

     (i) Acute inflammatory processes such as, but not limited to tendonitis;

     (ii) Circulatory compromise such as, but are not limited to:

     (A) Lymphedema;

     (B) Raynaud's disease;

     (C) Thromboangiitis obliterans; and

     (D) Phlebitis.

     (iii) Injuries, fractures, sprains, and dislocations;

     (iv) Gout;

     (v) Lacerations, ulcerations, wounds, blisters;

     (vi) Neuropathies (e.g., reflex sympathetic dystrophy, secondary to diabetes, charcot arthropathy);

     (vii) Osteomyelitis;

     (viii) Post-op complications;

     (ix) Warts, corns, or calluses in the presence of an acute condition such as infection and pain effecting the client's ability to ambulate as a result of the warts, corns, or calluses and meets the criteria in subsection (4) of this section;

     (x) Soft tissue conditions, such as, but are not limited to:

     (A) Rashes;

     (B) Infections (fungal, bacterial);

     (C) Gangrene;

     (D) Cellulitis of lower extremities;

     (E) Soft tissue tumors; and

     (F) Neuroma.

     (xi) Nail bed infections (paronychia); and

     (xii) Tarsal tunnel syndrome.

     (b) Trimming and/or debridement of nails to treat, as applicable, conditions from the list in subsection (4)(a) of this section. The department pays for one treatment in a sixty-day period. The department covers additional treatments in this period if documented in the client's medical record as being medically necessary;

     (c) A surgical procedure to treat one of the conditions in subsection (4) of this section performed on the lower extremities, and performed by a qualified provider;

     (d) Impression casting to treat one of the conditions in subsection (4) of this section. The department includes ninety-day follow-up care in the reimbursement;

     (e) Custom fitted and/or custom molded orthotic devices to treat one of the conditions in subsection (4) of this section.

     (i) The department's fee for the orthotic device includes reimbursement for a biomechanical evaluation (an evaluation of the foot that includes various measurements and manipulations necessary for the fitting of an orthotic device); and

     (ii) The department includes an evaluation and management (E&M) fee reimbursement in addition to an orthotic fee reimbursement if the E&M services are justified and well documented in the client's medical record.

     (5) The department does not pay for:

     (a) The following radiology services:

     (i) Bilateral X-rays for a unilateral condition; or

     (ii) X-rays in excess of three views; or

     (iii) X-rays that are ordered before the client is examined.

     (b) Podiatric physicians or surgeons for X-rays for any part of the body other than the foot or ankle.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090. 10-19-057, § 388-531-1300, filed 9/14/10, effective 10/15/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.520. 01-01-012, § 388-531-1300, filed 12/6/00, effective 1/6/01.]

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