December 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 for Pennsylvania [PDF]: An updated Medicaid policy has been published in its literature review of Medical Clinical Policy Bulletin to include a discussion of treatment of chronic cough by speech therapy.

Arkansas Medicaid: New provider rules have been created for Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy telepractice.

BlueCross BlueShield Arkansas [PDF]: An updated implantable bone conduction hearing aids policy has been published with additional CPT codes.

BlueCross BlueShield North Dakota: An update to the Speech Therapy medical policy has been published containing new definitions and updated criteria for services.

BlueCross BlueShield North Dakota: An updated external hearing aids, auditory brainstem implant, bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA), and audiological testing policy update has been published that adds and removes several CPT codes effective 01/01/2022.

BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama: An updated implantable bone conduction and bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) policy has been published that indicates CPT code 69718 will be removed effective 12/31/21.

BlueCross BlueShield of Mississippi: An updated implantable bone conduction policy has been published with additional CPT codes.

BlueCross of Idaho [PDF]: An updated implantable bone conduction and bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA) policy has been published with new evidence and research.

Cigna [PDF]: An updated hearing aids policy has been published with additional CPT codes added

Hawaii Medical Services Association: An updated hearing aids policy has been published with changes to covered products and the removal of repair/modification of a hearing aid from the non-covered services list.

Highmark BlueCross BlueShield Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia: An updated speech therapy policy has been published removing limiting selection criteria for patients with developmental delays.

Humana [PDF]: An updated policy for telehealth coverage has been published which outlines the use of modifier for audio only visits as well as cost-sharing information.

Paramount [PDF]: An updated hearing aids policy has been published with additional descriptions, definitions, and guidance.

Preferred One [PDF]: An updated speech therapy policy has been published for the outpatient setting which contains new and more detailed definitions of speech and sound disorders.

Superior HealthPlan of Texas [PDF]: An updated assistive communication device (Medicaid, CHIP) policy has been published to require treatment goals to relate to functional outcomes for members.