Section 762. Assistive technology

A. Service description. Assistive technology (AT) is available to recipients who are receiving at least one other waiver service and may be provided in a residential or nonresidential setting. AT is the specialized medical equipment and supplies, including those devices, controls, or appliances, specified in the plan of care, but not available under the State Plan for Medical Assistance, that enable individuals to increase their abilities to perform activities of daily living, or to perceive, control, or communicate with the environment in which they live. This service also includes items necessary for life support, ancillary supplies, and equipment necessary to the proper functioning of such items.

B. Criteria. In order to qualify for these services, the individual must have a demonstrated need for equipment or modification for remedial or direct medical benefit primarily in an individual's primary home, primary vehicle used by the individual, community activity setting, or day program to specifically serve to improve the individual's personal functioning. This shall encompass those items not otherwise covered under the State Plan for Medical Assistance. Assistive technology shall be covered in the least expensive, most cost-effective manner. For enrollees in the Elderly or Disabled with Consumer Direction (EDCD) waiver (12VAC30-120-900 through 12VAC30-120-980), assistive technology services shall be available only to those EDCD enrollees who are also enrolled in the Money Follows the Person demonstration.

C. Service units and service limitations. AT is available to individuals receiving at least one other waiver service and may be provided in the individual's home or community setting. A maximum limit of $5,000 may be reimbursed per plan of care year or the calendar year, as appropriate to the waiver in which the individual is enrolled or calendar year, as appropriate to the waiver being received. Costs for assistive technology cannot be carried over from year to year and must be preauthorized each plan of care year. AT will not be approved for purposes of convenience of the caregiver/provider or restraint of the individual. An independent, professional consultation must be obtained from qualified professionals who are knowledgeable of that item for each AT request prior to approval by the prior authorization agent, and may include training on such AT by the qualified professional. All AT must be authorized by the service authorization agent prior to billing. Also excluded are modifications that are reasonable accommodation requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Virginians with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act.

D. Provider requirements. In addition to meeting the general conditions and requirements for home and community-based care participating providers as specified in 12VAC30-120-160, 12VAC30-120-730, 12VAC30-120-740, and 12VAC30-120-930, AT shall be provided by providers having a current provider participation agreement with DMAS as durable medical equipment and supply providers. Independent, professional consultants include speech/language therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, physicians, behavioral therapists, certified rehabilitation specialists, or rehabilitation engineers. Providers that supply AT for an individual may not perform assessment/consultation, write specifications, or inspect the AT for that individual. Providers of services may not be spouses or parents of the individual. AT must be delivered within the plan of care year, or within a year from the start date of the authorization, as appropriate to the waiver, in which the individual is enrolled.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 17, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2001; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 20, eff. July 11, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 20, eff. July 9, 2009; Volume 30, Issue 14, eff. April 10, 2014.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396.