Article archive / April 1, 2014
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 8. Source pages: 6.
Department of Health and Hospitals and the Office of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities amended the provisions for the Children’s Choice Waiver in late March with an Emergency Rule.
The notice said that this was to clarify and adopt provisions for self-direction initiative which will allow participants to receive services through a direct support professional rather than a licensed enrolled provider agency.
The emergency rule provides for opportunities for Medicaid eligible children identified in the Melanie Chisholm, et al vs. Kathy Kliebert class action litigation who have a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Autism Spectrum Disorder, and are in need of Applied Behavioral Analysis services.
The department has amended and promulgated several rules. This latest rules states that “Subsequent to the publication of the February 22, 2014 Emergency Rule, the Behavior Analyst Practice Act (R.S. 37:3701 et seq.) became enforceable thereby making it a misdemeanor for any individual not licensed, state certified, or registered by the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board to engage in the practice of behavior analysis. As a result, certain providers authorized to provide ABA services under the provisions of this Emergency Rule may no longer provide services without being in violation of the Behavior Analyst Practice Act, thus necessitating an amendment to these provisions.”
The new amendment to the Rules includes some changes to recipient qualifications, admission denial or discharge criteria, allocation of waiver opportunities, and service cap. Service Definitions include “Applied Behavioral Analysis-Based Therapy.”
Provider Requirements for enrollment note that ABA service providers are exempt from these enrollment requirements.
Under Professional Service Providers: “I. Applied Behavioral Analysis-Based Therapy services must be provided by persons enrolled in Medicaid Program who:
1. meet the following licensure and/or certification requirements:
a. be a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) who has applied for licensure with the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board;
b. be licensed by the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board; or
c. be a currently Louisiana licensed psychologist whose education, training and expertise includes applied behavior analysis services.”
Other provider requirements are listed.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.