Section 405IAC5-16-3. Prior authorization for home health agency services; generally

   (a) All home health services require prior authorization by the office, except the following:

(1) Services provided by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or home health aide, which have been ordered in writing by a physician prior to the patient's discharge from a hospital, and that do not exceed one hundred twenty (120) units within thirty (30) calendar days of discharge from a hospital. These services may not continue beyond thirty (30) calendar days unless prior authorization is received.

(2) Any combination of therapy services ordered in writing by a physician prior to the patient's discharge from a hospital and that do not exceed thirty (30) units within thirty (30) calendar days of discharge from a hospital. These services may not continue beyond thirty (30) calendar days unless prior authorization is received.

  (b) Prior authorization requests for home health agency services may be submitted by an authorized representative of the home health agency. Written prior authorization forms must contain the information specified in 405 IAC 5-3-5. Telephone requests for the prior authorization of services will be conducted in accordance with 405 IAC 5-3-2 and 405 IAC 5-3-6.

  (c) The following information must be submitted with the written prior authorization request form and may also be requested as written documentation to supplement telephone requests for prior authorization:

(1) Copy of the written plan of treatment, signed by the attending physician.

(2) Estimate of the costs for the required services as ordered by the physician and set out in the written plan of treatment. The cost estimate must be provided on or with the plan of treatment and signed by the attending physician.

  (d) Prior authorization will include consideration of the following, if applicable:

(1) Review of the information provided in the prior authorization form, or telephone request for prior authorization, and any additional required or requested documentation.

(2) Review of the following factors when determining the appropriate services, units of service, and length of period for prior authorized services for home care members:

(A) Severity of illness and symptoms.

(B) Stability of the condition and symptoms.

(C) Change in medical condition that affects the type or units of service that can be authorized.

(D) Treatment plan, including identified goals.

(E) Intensity of care required to meet needs.

(F) Complexity of needs.

(G) Amount of time required to complete treatment tasks.

(H) Rehabilitation potential.

(I) Whether the services required in the current care plan are consistent with prior care plans.

(J) Need for instructing the member on self-care techniques in the home or need for instructing the caregiver on caring for the member in the home, or both.

(K) Other caregiving services received by the recipient, including, but not limited to, services provided by Medicare, Medicaid Waiver Programs, CHOICE, vocational rehabilitation, and private insurance programs.

(L) Caregivers available to provide care for the member, including consideration of the following:

(i) Number of caregivers available.

(ii) Whether the caregiver works outside the home.

(iii) Whether the caregiver attends school outside of the home.

(iv) Reasonably predictable or long term physical limitations of the caregiver that limit the ability of the caregiver to provide care to the member.

(v) Whether the caregiver has additional child care responsibilities.

(vi) How and when the units of service requested will be used to assist the caregiver in meeting the member's medical needs.

(M) Whether the member works or attends school outside of the home, including what assistance is required.

(N) Special situations when additional home health units may be authorized on a short term basis, including the following:

(i) Significant deterioration in the condition of the member, particularly if additional units will prevent an inpatient or extended inpatient hospital admission.

(ii) Major illness or injury of the caregiver with expectation of recovery, including, but not limited to:

(AA) illness or injury that requires an inpatient acute care stay;

(BB) chemotherapy or radiation treatments; or

(CC) a broken limb, which would impair the caregiver's ability to lift the member.

(iii) Temporary, but significant, change in the home situation, including, but not limited to:

(AA) a caregiver's call to military duty; or

(BB) temporary unavailability due to employment responsibilities.

(iv) Significant permanent change in the home situation, including, but not limited to, death or divorce with loss of a caregiver. Additional units of service may be authorized to assist in providing a transition.

(Office of the Secretary of Family and Social Services; 405 IAC 5-16-3; filed Jul 25, 1997, 4:00 p.m.: 20 IR 3325; filed Aug 27, 1999, 10:15 a.m.: 23 IR 17; readopted filed Jun 27, 2001, 9:40 a.m.: 24 IR 3822; readopted filed Sep 19, 2007, 12:16 p.m.: 20071010-IR-405070311RFA; readopted filed Oct 28, 2013, 3:18 p.m.: 20131127-IR-405130241RFA; filed Aug 1, 2016, 3:44 p.m.: 20160831-IR-405150418FRA; errata filed Nov 1, 2016, 9:36 a.m.: 20161109-IR-405160493ACA)