OHCA Policies and Rules
317:30-5-1098. Indian Health Services, Tribal Programs, and Urban Indian clinics (I/T/Us) outpatient encounters
[Revised 07-06-23]
(a) I/T/U outpatient encounters that are billed to the OHCA must meet the definition in this Section and are limited to services covered by the OHCA. These services include health services included in the State Plan under Title XIX or Title XXI of the Social Security Act.
(1) An I/T/U encounter means a face to face, a telehealth contact, or an audio-only telecommunications contact between a health care professional and an Indian Health Services (IHS) eligible SoonerCare member for the provision of medically necessary Title XIX or Title XXI covered services through an IHS or Tribal 638 facility or an urban Indian clinic within a twenty-four (24) period ending at midnight, as documented in the patient's record.
(2) An I/T/U outpatient encounter means outpatient services that may be covered when furnished to a patient by a contracted SoonerCare provider employed by the I/T/U facility and rendered at the I/T/U facility or other location, including the patient's place of residence.
(b) The following services may be considered reimbursable encounters subject to the limitations of the Oklahoma State Plan and include any related medical supplies provided during the course of the encounter:
(1) Medical;
(2) Diagnostic;
(3) Behavioral Health services [refer to OAC 317:30-5-1094];
(4) Dental, Medical and Mental Health Screenings;
(5) Vision;
(6) Physical Therapy;
(7) Occupational Therapy;
(8) Podiatry;
(9) Speech;
(10) Hearing;
(11) Visiting Nurse Service [refer to OAC 317:30-5-1093];
(12) Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation Counseling;
(13) Other Title XIX or XXI services as allowed under OHCA's SoonerCare State Plan and OHCA Administrative Rules;
(14) Drugs or medication treatments provided during a clinic visit are part of the encounter rate. For example, a member has come into the clinic with high blood pressure and is treated at the clinic with a hypertensive drug or drug sample. Drug samples are included in the encounter rate. Prescription drugs are reimbursed pursuant to OAC 317:30-5-78(b)(4)(B).
(15) Encounters with a registered professional nurse or a licensed practical nurse and related medical supplies (other than drugs and biologicals) furnished on a part-time or intermittent basis to home-bound members; and
(16) I/T/U Multiple Outpatient Encounters.
(A) OHCA will cover one medically necessary outpatient medical encounter per member per day unless if due to an emergency, the same member returns on the same day for a second visit with a different diagnosis. Then, a second encounter is allowed.
(B) OHCA will cover one dental encounter per member per day regardless of how many procedures are done or how many providers are seen unless if due to an emergency, the same member returns on the same day for a second visit and has a different diagnosis. Then, a second encounter is allowed.
(C) OHCA will cover one behavioral health professional outpatient encounter per member per day unless if due to an emergency, the same member returns on the same day for a second visit and has a different diagnosis. Then, a second encounter is allowed.
(D) Each service must have distinctly different diagnoses in order to meet the criteria for multiple I/T/U outpatient encounters.
(c) More than one outpatient visit with a medical professional within a twenty-four (24) hour period for distinctly different diagnoses may be reported as two encounters. This does not imply that if a member is seen at a single office visit with multiple problems that multiple encounters can be billed. For example, a member comes to the clinic in the morning for an immunization, and in the afternoon, the member falls and breaks an arm. This would be considered multiple medical encounters and can be billed as two encounters. However, a member who comes to the I/T/U facility for a diabetic wellness screening and is then referred to a podiatrist within the clinic for diabetes-related follow-up on the same date of service would not be considered a distinctly different diagnosis and can only be billed as a single encounter.
(d) The following services may be considered as separate or multiple encounters when two or more services are provided on the same date of service with distinctly different diagnoses:
(1) Medical Services;
(2) Dental Services;
(3) Mental Health and addiction services with similar diagnoses can only be billed as one encounter. In addition, if the member is also seen for a medical office visit with a mental health or addiction diagnosis, then it is considered a single encounter;
(4) Physical or occupational therapy (PT/OT). If this service is also performed on the same date of service as the medical encounter that determined the need for PT/OT (initial referral), then it is considered a single encounter;
(5) Administration of immunizations. If no other medical office visit occurs on the same date of services; and
(6) Tobacco cessation limited to state plan services. If no other medical or addiction encounter occurs on the same date of service.
(e) I/T/U outpatient encounters for IHS eligible SoonerCare members whether medical, dental, or behavioral health, are not subject to prior authorization. Other State Plan covered services that the I/T/U facility chooses to provide but which are not part of the I/T/U encounter are subject to all applicable SoonerCare regulations which govern the provision and coverage for that service.
Disclaimer. The OHCA rules found on this Web site are unofficial. The official rules are published by the Oklahoma Secretary of State Office of Administrative Rules as Title 317 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code. To order an official copy of these rules, contact the Office of Administrative Rules at (405) 521-4911.
