Federal regulations governing the EPSDT program are generally set forth in 42 C.F.R. Part 440.50 et seq (Subpart B). These regulatory provisions closely mirror the language of the statute, underscoring its focus on prevention and treatment of physical and mental health conditions before they become disabling. They have not been updated since the late 1980s. Significantly, the regulations provide no guidance for interpreting critical screening, diagnosis and treatment requirements found at 42 U.S.C. ' 1396a(a)(43).
Key Medicaid regulations can be found at:
Notice and informing obligations under EPSDT: 42 C.F.R.§ 441.56(a)
Rehabilitative services: 42 C.F.R. § 440.130
Home health care services: 42 C.F.R. § 440.70
Reasonable promptness requirements: 42 C.F.R. § 435.930(a)
States’ obligations to make services available: 42 C.F.R. § 441.61(b)
The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) proposed new regulations governing rehabilitative services and interim final regulations targeted case management. These new rules would have significantly restricted what rehabilitative and case management services states can cover within their Medicaid programs. The most problematic provisions of the targeted case management regulations have been withdrawn, and the rule-making process for the new rehabilitative services regulations has been suspened.
Proposed regulations are published in the Federal Register, August 13, 2007, Vol. 72, No. 155, 45201-45213 (rehabilitative services) and December 4, 2007, Vol 72, No. 232.68977-68093; 42 CFR Parts 431, 440 and 441 (case management). More information on the promulgation of these rules, a discussion of their impact on Medicaid recipients and model comments can be found at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law (www.bazelon.org).