WAC 182-550-6200. Outpatient hospital speech therapy services

(1) The medicaid agency pays for speech therapy services provided to eligible clients as an outpatient hospital service according to this section and WAC 182-545-200 and 182-550-6000 . (2) The agency requires swallowing (dysphagia) evaluations to be performed by a speech/language pathologist who holds a master's degree in speech pathology and who has received extensive training in the anatomy and physiology of the swallowing mechanism, with additional training in the evaluation and treatment of dysphagia. (3) The agency requires a swallowing evaluation to include: (a) An oral-peripheral exam to evaluate the anatomy and function of the structures used in swallowing; (b) Dietary recommendations for oral food and liquid intake therapeutic or management techniques; (c) Therapeutic or management techniques; and (d) Videofluoroscopy, when necessary, for further evaluation of swallowing status and aspiration risks. (4) A hospital must bill outpatient hospital speech therapy services using appropriate billing codes listed in the agency's current published billing instructions. The agency does not pay the outpatient hospital a facility fee for these services.