what’s so interesting about medical necessity? interesting case presentation saint francis...
TRANSCRIPT
What’s So Interesting About
Medical Necessity?
Interesting Case Presentation Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center
Dept. of PediatricsOctober 30, 2009
Jay E. Sicklick, Esq.Center for Children’s Advocacy
Hartford, Connecticut
mlpp
Interesting Case – The Parameters
Patient is a Medicaid Recipient Medicaid = HUSKY= Title XIX
Patient is birth through 20 Patient’s pediatric/family
medicine/psychiatric, etc. clinician has requested a medically related treatment, care or service o/b/o patient
This request is subject to some sort of review by the insurance carrier/primary payer
mlpp
What is Medical Necessity?
AN Interesting Case
AN Interesting Case 7 y.o. girl - seen in primary care since birth. Primary diagnosis is Pervasive Developmental
Disorder (PDD). Autistic tendencies & very low IQ Diet is extremely limited – like sweet and salty
foods only (chips, etc.) PCP believes that nutrition is compromised Would like to prescribe an OTC nutritional
supplement (Ensure/Pediasure) R/Q made to MCO R/Q “denied” as not “medically necessary” It this “medically necessary” care and treatment?
mlpp
ANOTHER Interesting Case
ANOTHER Interesting Case
14 y.o. boy with dx of spina bifida Mobility in h/h is at issue Lives alone with mother Treating provider and PT believe “track”
system in house will provide better mobility in h/h
Request made to MCO as a DME Request DENIED? Is this “medically necessary?”
mlpp
Medical Necessity:The Threshold Questions
What is Medical Necessity (“MN”)? Is there a standard for defining MN? Are pediatric patients evaluated under the
same MN standard as adults? What is the definition of MN? Who/What is the gate keeper for MN? Is there anything I (the pediatric provider)
can do to ensure my medical judgment is deferred to in the “ask” for MN care?
mlpp
Medical Necessity:The Threshold Questions
If my “ask” is denied, what is my recourse for the patient?
Can legal assistance be helpful in the event the request is denied?
What is the “appeal” process? Are appeals usually successful? What can I do next time to ensure that the
original request is granted (if anything)?
mlpp
Medicaid: A Refresher
Medicaid: A Refresher Title XIX of the Social Security Act for =
Medical Assistance for the Poor Not Medicare - Title XVIII = Federal Health
Insurance Linked to Social Security Categorical Eligibility = Elderly, Blind,
Disabled, Pregnant women & Children De-linked from Cash Assistance &
Resources
Medicaid: A Refresher Vendor Payment
System - hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, doctors & dentists are reimbursed
Participation by provider voluntary
No cost sharing allowed - theoretically
How Medicaid Works:The Federal-State Partnership
How the Partnership Works:The Federal Side
Federal oversight through central agency = CMS
Promulgates regulations, guidelines & statutes
Issues waivers Reimburses from 50%
to 83% of state costs Legal principles = due
process
The Partnership: State Administration
State Agency - Designated in Conn. As DSS
The “Medicaid Plan” Must conform to
federal law and apply statewide
Medicaid Advisory Committee req’d (MMCC)
Managed Care: Medicaid’s Panacea
State’s may contract with managed care entities to provide services (per CMS waiver): PCCM – case management w/monthly fee by
M.D.’s, group practices, APRN’s, PA’s or nurse midwives
MCO’s – contracts w/HMO’s, etc. w/capitation payment per enrollee
State’s can r/q most individuals to enroll in managed care programs (need choice of at least 2 entities
Managed Care Players
The Return to Managed Care:Connecticut’s Grand
Experiment Children eligible for MA coverage must
elect MCO for “coverage” or may be part of a PCCM practice through DSS
MCO’s contract with State DSS Three MCO’s presently provide managed
care coverage for state’s HUSKY population: CHN AETNA Better Health AmeriChoice by United Healthcare
The Return to Managed Care:Connecticut’s Grand
Experiment PCCM available in:
Waterbury Windham
Hartford & New Haven expansion planned
MCO’s are at-risk. Approve or deny coverage for services
pursuant to DSS contract and state and federal regulations.
Fee for service (“Straight Title XIX”) still available in limited circumstances …
HUSKY Basics Connecticut’s
Children’s Medicaid Plan (“A”)
Birth up to 19 y.o. Income based (family
or self) – no resource test
98% Insured through MCO’s (BCFP, Health Net & CHN)
Straight Title XIX available
HUSKY Basics (cont)
No co-pays or premiums
“Medically necessary services” must be covered
EPSDT requires periodic screening, diagnosis & treatment
Rights of appeal & legal challenges inviolate
Who is NOT Eligible for HUSKY?
Children in U.S. on vicarious visas (e.g. parent work visas)
Undocumented (illegal) Immigrant children
Families income > 185% FPL
Immigrants and HUSKY Eligibility based on residency status:
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) Refugees and asylees Certain battered spouses & children
Application Process Same for legal immigrants as they are for US
Citizens CT Resident Income guideline (185% child, 150% parent
Will NOT be considered Public Charge
Changes in the AIR
Medical Necessity:Defining The Playing Field
Two Part Analysis of Medical Necessity:
Definition of MN in State Regulations
Definition of MN in EPSDT
Medical Necessity – State Regulations
Previous Definitions (before 10/1/09): "Medical Necessity or Medically Necessary" means
health care provided to correct or diminish the adverse effects of a medical condition or mental illness; to assist an individual in attaining or maintaining an optimal level of health; to diagnose a condition; or prevent a medical condition from occurring.
"Medical Appropriateness or Medically Appropriate" means health care that is provided in a timely manner and meets professionally recognized standards of acceptable medical care; is delivered in the appropriate medical setting; and is the least costly of multiple, equally‑effective alternative treatments or diagnostic modalities.
Medical Necessity – State Regulations
Language change – October 2009 Definition is:“Medically necessary services” means those health services
required to prevent, identify, diagnose, treat, rehabilitate or ameliorate a health problem or its effects, or to maintain health and functioning, provided such services are:1. consistent with generally accepted standards of medical
practice2. clinically appropriate in terms of type, frequency, timing, site
and duration;3. demonstrated through scientific evidence to be safe and
effective and the least costly among similarly effective alternatives, where adequate scientific evidence exists;
4. efficient in regard to the avoidance of waste and refraining from provision of services that, on the basis of the best available scientific evidence, are not likely to produce benefit.
Tracking the Changes PRE-CHANGE:
to assist an individual in attaining or maintaining an optimal level of health
POST CHANGE: to prevent, identify, diagnose,
treat, rehabilitate or ameliorate a health problem or its effects, or to maintain health and functioning
demonstrated through scientific evidence to be safe and effective and the least costly among similarly effective alternatives, where adequate scientific evidence exists;
efficient in regard to the avoidance of waste and refraining from provision of services that, on the basis of the best available scientific evidence, are not likely to produce benefit.
What Does It All Mean? MCO’s & DSS (fee for service cases) review
each request pursuant to the MN standards
Provide a written response to the patient if denied
Allow opportunity for an internal review and, if necessary, an impartial hearing pursuant to Due Process requirements
Requests must also be reviewed pursuant to federal EPSDT standard
EPSDTThe problem is to discover, as early as possible, the
ills that handicap our children. There must be continuing follow-up treatment so that handicaps do not go untreated. . . . We must enlarge our efforts to give proper eye care to a needy child. We must provide health to strengthen a poor youngster’s limb before he becomes permanently disabled. We must stop tuberculosis in its first stages before it causes serious harm.
- - President Lyndon B. Johnson Introducing the EPSDT Legislation 90th Cong., 1st Sess. (1967).
What is EPSDT, or; Why does it make better
pediatricians?
Early periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment
Federal mandates for screening at periodic intervals
Medical, vision, hearing & dental, immunizations, lab tests (including PB), health education
Mandate for coverage of treatment to “correct or ameliorate” physical/mental illness during the periodic or interperiodic screens
Outreach & transportation
Medical Necessity Under Federal Law
Medical necessity Definition requires coverage of “necessary health care, diagnostic services,
treatment, and other measures . . . to correct or ameliorate defects and physical and mental illnesses and conditions[.]
42 U.S.C. § 1396d(r)(5)
Applies to physical and behavioral health
EPSDT Scope of Benefits42 U.S.C. §§ 1396d(r)(5),
1396d(a) Mandatory services:
Inpatient hospital services Outpatient hospital services Rural health clinic services Federally-qualified health center services Laboratory and X-ray services Nursing facility services for adults EPSDT services Physician services Family planning services and supplies Physician services Medical and surgical services furnished by a dentist (with
limitation) Nurse-midwife services Pediatric nurse practitioner or family nurse practitioner
services Home health services for persons eligible to receive nursing
facility services
EPSDT Scope of Benefits – cont.
Optional services (for adults, mandatory under EPSDT when necessary to correct or ameliorate an illness or condition):
Home health care services (includes nursing services, home health aides, medical supplies and equipment, physical therapy, occupation therapy, speech pathology, audiology services) Private duty nursing services Clinic services Dental services Physical therapy and related services Prescribed drugs Dentures Prosthetic devices Eyeglasses Other diagnostic, screening, preventive, and rehabilitative services, including any medical or
remedial services recommended for the maximum reduction of physical or mental disability and restoration of an individual to the best possible functional level
Intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded services Inpatient psychiatric hospital services for individuals under age 21 Hospice care Case-management services TB-related services Respiratory care services Personal care services Primary care case management services Any other medical care, and any other type of remedial care recognize under state law,
specified by the Secretary (of DHHS)
So – What Does it All Mean?
Advocacy Strategies:Making the Case for Medical
Necessity Three part strategy:
Anticipate
Advocate
Appeal
Reminder – AN Interesting Case 7 y.o. girl - seen in primary care
since birth. Primary diagnosis is Pervasive
Developmental Disorder (PDD). Autistic tendencies & very low IQ Diet is extremely limited – like
sweet and salty foods only (chips, etc.)
PCP believes that nutrition is compromised
Would like to prescribe an OTC nutritional supplement (Ensure/Pediasure)
R/Q made to MCO R/Q “denied” as not “medically
necessary” It this “medically necessary” care
and treatment?
ANTICIPATE
MN Advocacy – Anticipate What Do you Need to do to make sure your
patient receives the care/treatment requested? What are the facts that make this patient’s case
compelling? Previous treatments tried, results produced, etc. Think of alternatives and how you can address those
(HMO response) Document successes in other patients Think about how this case might be unique/special
MN Advocacy – Advocate Write a Letter Advocating for Your Request
Explain who you are State the language of the law … i.e. why this
service/treatment is medically necessary “Pat Patient needs this nutritional supplement
because I expect that it will enable her to maintain health an functioning, it is consistent with generally accepted standards of practice, and it is clinically appropriate in terms of type, frequency, etc …
Include specifics & details relating to the patient’s illness or disability
MN Advocacy – Advocate Write a Letter Advocating for Your Request
The details: Explain how the treatment will prevent an illness or
disability, or Explain how it will ameliorate a health problem or its
affects, or Explain how it will maintain health or functioning
(maintain functional capacity) Conclude by indicating the medical
consequences which you believe will result if the care/treatment/prescription is denied.
Sample Letter MN LetterOctober 30, 2009Community Health Network 11 Fairfield BoulevardWallingford, CT 06492Re: Pat Patient, 2/22/2004, Plan # 11111Greetings:I am writing to request authorization for Pat Patient to receive Pediasure for the
diagnosis of failure to thrive. This request is medically necessary because:KEY FACTS FOR PP INCLUDED HERE …
The provision of this important supplement will, or is reasonably expected to allow Pat to maintain health and functioning at her present level. Specifically (INCLUDE FACTS ABOUT PAT’s DIET ETC.)
If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to call me at (860) 714-1000. Very truly yours,
PCC ProviderLicense # 123456789PhoneFax
MN Advocacy – Appeal
Responses to Denials: HMO’s
Informally advocate with the UR rep. Informally advocate with the medical director
(usually not a pediatrician) Advise family to request an informal review Refer the family to the MLPP for formal appeal Formal appeal with DSS hearing officer (fair
hearing)
MN Advocacy – Appeal
Responses to Denials: DSS
Call the Medical Director (Rob Zavoski) Refer the case to the MLPP Initiate process of formal appeal (fair hearing)
Medical Necessity – A Review
The standard by which Medicaid care and treatment is judged
NOT a subjective standard – but subject to clinical judgment
Clinician has tools to advocate before the decision is made
Advocacy shifts burden to the decision maker
Make your case based on facts & details – don’t assume a denial is appropriate