October 2021 Health Policy Update
ASHA monitors health policy updates in both public and private health plans across the United States. Below are the latest updates that could impact you or those you serve.
- Aetna: An updated policy was published adding medical necessity statements for the Baha 5 Super Power Sound Processor and the Cochlear Osia B1300 system as unilateral or bilateral transcutaneous bone-conduction or bone-anchored hearing aids.
- Amerihealth/Independence Blue Cross: A notice was released with an updated list of the behavioral health services covered by telepractice under their commercial plan. They also announced that these services are now being managed by Magellan Health.
- Capital Health Plan, Florida Blue: New guidance was published outlining the medical necessity requirements when replacing the components of a cochlear implant.
- National Government Services: The list of ICD-10 codes to support medical necessity for speech-language pathology was added.
- New England Health: An updated cochlear implant policy was posted with an updated definition for unilateral hearing loss and guidance specific to the initial evaluation.
- Scott and White [PDF]: An updated policy was released with added language for group therapy and frequency of services.
- Superior Health Plan (Texas Medicaid) [PDF]: An updated policy was published with new documentation requirements for AAC devices.
- Tufts Health Plan: The Rhode Island commercial plan updated their telehealth cost sharing guidance in accordance with state orders being extended until January 1, 2022.
- Tufts Health Plan: A notice was published with an updated speech therapy policy with changes to the coding information for commercial and Medicaid plans.
- UHC Community Plan (New Jersey Medicaid) [PDF]: An updated policy was released with updates to codes, criteria, supporting information, and documentation requirements for speech-language pathology services.
