Audiology Services: Eligibility to Provide Services

(A) A CHC may claim payment for a basic pure-tone (air and bone) evaluation by audiometer furnished to a member only when the following conditions are met. (1) The CHC possesses on its premises a pure-tone audiometer, which must be calibrated at least once every six months. Records of calibrations must be kept and made available to the MassHealth agency upon request. The machine must be placed and testing conducted in a quiet room. (2) The person conducting hearing evaluations is trained to perform hearing tests with an audiometer. (3) The quality of the tester's work is assessed at least twice a year by an audiologist licensed or certified in accordance with 130 CMR 426.404: Provider Eligibility. The audiologist may be a consultant to the CHC. (B) A CHC may claim payment for conducting acoustic impedance testing only when the following conditions are met. (1) The test is conducted by an ASHA-certified audiologist on the premises of the CHC. (2) The test is conducted by means of a functioning impedance bridge that is placed in a quiet room. (C) If a problem or abnormality is detected or believed to be present after completion of either the basic pure-tone evaluation or the acoustic impedance test or both, the member must be referred to an otologist or an otolaryngologist for a more complete audiological evaluation and treatment as necessary.