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School Health Services Billing Manual

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Health First Colorado School Health Services

The Colorado School Health Services (SHS) Program allows school districts and Boards of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) to access federal Health First Colorado funds for delivering Health First Colorado allowable school health services to Health First Colorado enrolled children. Reimbursement received by a district through the SHS Program shall be used by the district to provide additional and expanded health services.

This billing manual is for employees and contractors of school districts and BOCES who are billing through the SHS Program. Community providers who have approval from the school district or BOCES and are providing services in a school setting but are not billing through the SHS Program should refer to the billing manual for the benefit they are billing.

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School Health Services Program Manual

For an in-depth look at the policy requirements of the School Health Services Program refer to the School Health Services Program web page for more information. The manual includes information on covered services, provider enrollment, random moment time study, reimbursement and administrative claiming.

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Prior Authorization Requirements

There are no prior authorization requirements for School Health Services.

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Procedure Codes/Billing Requirements

The School Health Services Program uses procedure codes that are approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The codes are used for submitting claims for services provided to Health First Colorado members and represent services that may be provided by enrolled School Health Service Providers - provider type 51. Claims for all Health First Colorado-allowable school health services must be submitted within 120 days of the date of service.

The Healthcare Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) is divided into two principal subsystems, referred to as level I and level II of the HCPCS. Level I of the HCPCS is comprised of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), a numeric coding system maintained by the American Medical Association (AMA). The CPT is a uniform coding system consisting of descriptive terms and identifying codes that are used primarily to identify medical services and procedures furnished by physicians and other health care professionals. Level II of the HCPCS is a standardized coding system that is used primarily to identify products, supplies, and services not included in the CPT codes, such as ambulance services and durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) when used outside a physician's office. Level II codes are also referred to as alpha-numeric codes because they consist of a single alphabetical letter followed by 4 numeric digits, while CPT codes are identified using 5 numeric digits. Valid codes and descriptions for the School Health Services Program are listed below.

Effective for dates of service starting July 1, 2024, for Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech, Language, and Hearing Services claims must contain a valid National Provider Identifier (NPI) of the Ordering, Prescribing and Referring (OPR) Provider in accordance with 42 CFR 455.440.  The individual provider must have their NPI listed as the ordering NPI for medically necessary services documented in an Individualized Education Program (IEP), an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or other medical plan(s) of care.

Note: Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) code descriptions are not contained in this manual. The descriptions are copyrighted by the American Medical Association (AMA). Providers should reference the 2023 CPT coding manuals for procedure code descriptions.

PROCEDURE CODEPROCEDURE CODE DESCRIPTIONSMODIFIER
12
Behavioral Health Services
90785Interactive complexity add-on  
90832Psychotherapy with member, 30 minutes  
90834Psychotherapy with member, 45 minutes  
90837Psychotherapy with member, 60 minutes  
90839first 60 minutes  
90840each additional 30 minutes (list separately in addition to code for primary service)   
90846Family psychotherapy without member present  
90847Family psychotherapy with member present  
90849Multiple-family group psychotherapy  
90853Group psychotherapy  
90875Individual psychophysiological therapy incorporating biofeedback with psychotherapy, 30 minutes  
90876Individual psychophysiological therapy incorporating biofeedback with psychotherapy, 45 minutes  
96156LPC/LMFT (effective 1/1/2020)  
96156PSY (effective 1/1/2020)AH 
96156SW (effective 1/1/2020)AJ 
96156Re-Assessment - LPC/LMFT (effective 1/1/2020)  
96156Re-Assessment - PSY (effective 1/1/2020)AH 
96156Re-Assessment - SW (effective 1/1/2020)AJ 
97153each 15 minutes  
97153Telehealth (each 15 minutes)GT 
97154each 15 minutes  
97154Telehealth (each 15 minutes)GT 
97155each 15 minutes  
97155Telehealth (each 15 minutes)GT 
97158each 15 minutes  
97158Telehealth (each 15 minutes)GT 
97151Per Assessment Once Per Year  
97151Telehealth (Per Assessment Once Per Year)GT 
97151Re-assessment (limited to 2 units per six months)TJ 
97151Re-assessment (limited to 2 units per six months), TelehealthTJGT
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug -LPC/LMFT (per 15 minutes)  
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug, Telehealth -LPC/LMFT (per 15 minutes)GT 
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug - PSY (per 15 minutes)AH 
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug - PSY (per 15 minutes), TelehealthAHGT
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug - SW (per 15 minutes)AJ 
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug - SW (per 15 minutes), TelehealthAJGT
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug, Group - LPC /LMFT (per 15 minutes)HQ 
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug, Group - LPC /LMFT (per 15 minutes), TelehealthHQGT
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug, Group - PSY (per 15 minutes)AHHQ
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug, Group - PSY (per 15 minutes), TelehealthAH/HQGT
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug, Group - SW (per 15 minutes)AJHQ
H0004Behavioral Health Counseling/Therapy Alcohol/Drug, Group, - SW (per 15 minutes), TelehealthAJ/HQGT
H0005Alcohol and/or drug services, group counseling  
H0038Self-help/peer services, per 15 minutes  
H2014Skills training and development, per 15 minutes  
H2017Psychosocial rehabilitation services, per 15 minutes  
H2023Supported employment, per 15 minutes  
H2027Psychoeducational service  
S9445Member education, not otherwise classified, non-physician provider, individual  
Motor Therapy Services
971611 unit per evaluation up to 20 minutes  
97161Telehealth (1 unit per evaluation up to 20 minutesGT 
971621 unit per evaluation up to 30 minutes  
97162Telehealth (1 unit per evaluation up to 30 minutes)GT 
971631 unit per evaluation up to 45 minutes  
97163Telehealth (1 unit per evaluation up to 45 minutes)GT 
97164Re-Evaluation (1 unit per evaluation typically up to 20 minutes)  
97164Re-Evaluation, Telehealth (1 unit per evaluation typically up to 20 minutes)GT 
97110PTA (each 15 minutes)HM 
97110PTA (each 15 minutes), TelehealthHMGT
97150PT (each 15 minutes)GP 
97150PT (each 15 minutes), TelehealthGPGT
97150PTA (each 15 minutes)HM 
97150PTA (each 15 minutes), TelehealthHMGT
971651 unit per evaluation up to 30 minutes  
97165Telehealth (1 unit per evaluation up to 30 minutes)GT 
971661 unit per evaluation up to 45 minutes  
97166Telehealth (1 unit per evaluation up to 45 minutes)GT 
971671 unit per evaluation up to 60 minutes  
97167Telehealth (1 unit per evaluation up to 60 minutes)GT 
97168Re-Evaluation (1 unit per evaluation typically up to 30 minutes)  
97168Re-Evaluation, Telehealth (1 unit per evaluation typically up to 30 minutes)GT 
97530each 15 minutesGO 
97530each 15 minutes, TelehealthGOGT
97530COTA (each 15 minutes)HM 
97530COTA (each 15 minutes), TelehealthHMGT
97139OT (each 15 minutes)GO 
97139COTA (each 15 minutes)HM 
97139OT/COTA (each 15 minutes) TelehealthHMGT
97116each 15 minutes  
97116 O & M (each 15 minutes)HQ 
97533each 15 minutes  
97533Telehealth (each 15 minutes)GT 
97533 O & M (each 15 minutes)HQ 
Nursing Services
T1001Nursing Assessment/Evaluation (RN only)  
T1001Nursing Assessment/Evaluation RN/NP only (up to 15 minutes)  
T1002RN/NP Services, (up to 15 minutes)  
T1002RN/NP Services, Group, (up to 15 minutes)HQ 
T1003LPN Services, (up to 15 minutes) (delegated RN/NP service)  
T1003LPN Services, Group, (up to 15 minutes) (delegated RN/NP service)HQ 
T1004Qualified Nursing Aide/Health Technician, (up to 15 minutes) (delegated RN/NP service)  
T1004Qualified Nursing Aide/Health Technician, Group, (up to 15 minutes) (delegated RN/NP service)HQ 
99201NP (10 minutes)  
99201Telehealth - NP (10 minutes)GT 
99202NP (20 minutes - expanded)  
99202Telehealth - NP (20 minutes - expanded)GT 
99203NP (30 minutes - detailed)  
99203Telehealth - NP (30 minutes - detailed)GT 
99204NP (45 minutes comprehensive)  
99204Telehealth - NP (45 minutes comprehensive)GT 
99205NP(60 minutes high complexity)  
99205Telehealth - NP (60 minutes high complexity)GT 
99212 NP (10 minutes straightforward)  
99212Telehealth - NP (10 minutes straightforward)GT 
99213NP (15 minutes low complexity)  
99213Telehealth - NP (15 minutes low complexity)GT 
99214NP (25 minutes moderate complexity)  
99214Telehealth - NP (25 minutes moderate complexity)GT 
99215NP (40 minutes high complexity)  
99215Telehealth - NP (40 minutes high complexity)GT 
Personal Care Services
T1019Personal Care Services, Individual (per 15 minutes)  
S5125Personal Care Services, Group (per 15 min) - Safety/Behavior Monitoring Only  
Physician Services
90839first 60 minutes  
90840each additional 30 minutes (list separately in addition to code for primary service)   
99201MD/DO (10 minutes)  
99201MD/DO (10 minutes), TelehealthGT 
99202MD/DO (20 minutes - expanded)  
99202MD/DO (20 minutes - expanded), TelehealthGT 
99203MD-DO (30 minutes - detailed)  
99203MD-DO (30 minutes - detailed), TelehealthGT 
99204MD/DO (45 minutes - comprehensive)  
99204MD/DO (45 minutes - comprehensive), TelehealthGT 
99205MD/DO (60 minutes - high complexity)  
99205MD/DO (60 minutes - high complexity), TelehealthGT 
99212MD/DO (10 minutes - straightforward)  
99212MD/DO (10 minutes - straightforward), TelehealthGT 
99213MD/DO (15 minutes - low complexity)  
99213MD/DO (15 minutes - low complexity), TelehealthGT 
99214MD/DO (25 minutes - moderate complexity)  
99214MD/DO (25 minutes - moderate complexity), TelehealthGT 
99215MD/DO (40 minutes - high complexity)  
99215MD/DO (40 minutes - high complexity), TelehealthGT 
Speech and Audiology Services
925071 unit per session  
92507Telehealth (1 unit per session)GT 
925081 unit per session  
92508 (GT)Telehealth, Group (1 unit per session)GT 
92521 GN 
92521TelehealthGT 
92522 GN 
92522TelehealthGT 
92523 GN 
92523TelehealthGT 
92524 GN 
92524TelehealthGT 
V50081 unit per evaluation - Audiologist only   
V5299each 15 minutes)   
V5299GroupHQ 
Transportation Services
T2001Non-Emergency Transportation - Member Attendant/Escort/Aide (per 15 minutes)  
T2001Non-Emergency Transportation, Group - Member Attendant/Escort/Aide (per 15 minutes)HQ 
T2003Non-Emergency Transportation - Trip Encounter (per one-way trip)  

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Acronyms

COTA -Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
DO - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
LMFT - Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
LPC - Licensed Practical Counselor
LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse
MD - Medical Doctor
NP - Nurse Practitioner
OT - Occupational Therapist
PSY - Psychologist
PT - Physical Therapist
PTA - Physical Therapy Assistant
RN - Registered Nurse
SLP - Speech Language Pathologist
SW - Social Worker

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Paper Claim Reference Table

The following paper form reference table shows required, optional, and conditional fields and detailed field completion instructions for the CMS 1500 claim form.

School Health Services claims shall be billed as a single date of service, using the specific date a service is provided. Use number of units to identify repeated services by the same provider, on the same date.

CMS Field Number & LabelField is?Instructions
1. Insurance TypeRequiredPlace an "X" in the box marked as Medicaid.
1a. Insured's ID NumberRequiredEnter the member's seven-digit Health First Colorado ID number as it appears on the Health First Colorado identification card. Example: A123456.
2. Patient's NameRequiredEnter the member's last name, first name, and middle initial.
3. Patient's Date of Birth/SexRequiredEnter the member's birth date using two digits for the month, two digits for the date, and two digits for the year. Example: 070114 for July 1, 2014.

Place an "X" in the appropriate box to indicate the sex of the member.
4. Insured's NameConditionalComplete if the member is covered by a Medicare health insurance policy.
Enter the insured's full last name, first name, and middle initial. If the insured used a last name suffix (e.g., Jr, Sr), enter it after the last name and before the first name.
5. Patient's AddressNot Required 
6. Patient's Relationship to InsuredConditionalComplete if the member is covered by a commercial health care insurance policy.
7. Insured's AddressNot Required 
8. Reserved for NUCC UseNot Required 
9. Other Insured's NameConditionalIf field 11d is marked "YES", enter the insured's last name, first name and middle initial.
9a. Other Insured's Policy or Group NumberConditionalIf field 11d is marked "YES", enter the policy or group number.
9b. Reserved for NUCC Use  
9c. Reserved for NUCC Use  
9d. Insurance Plan or Program NameNot Required 
10a-c. Is patient's condition related to?ConditionalWhen appropriate, place an "X" in the correct box to indicate whether one or more of the services described in field 24 are for a condition or injury that occurred on the job, as a result of an auto accident or other.
10d. Reserved for Local Use  
11. Insured's Policy, Group or FECA NumberConditionalComplete if the member is covered by a Medicare health insurance policy.
Enter the insured's policy number as it appears on the ID card. Only complete if field 4 is completed.
11a. Insured's Date of Birth, SexConditionalComplete if the member is covered by a Medicare health insurance policy.
Enter the insured's birth date using two digits for the month, two digits for the date, and two digits for the year. Example: 070118 for July 1, 2018.
Place an "X" in the appropriate box to indicate the sex of the insured.
11b. Other Claim IDNot Required 
11c. Insurance Plan Name or Program NameNot Required 
11d. Is there another Health Benefit Plan?ConditionalWhen appropriate, place an "X" in the correct box. If marked "YES", complete 9, 9a and 9d.
12. Patient's or Authorized Person's signatureRequiredEnter "Signature on File", "SOF", or legal signature. If there is no signature on file, leave blank or enter "No Signature on File".

Enter the date the claim form was signed.
13. Insured's or Authorized Person's SignatureNot Required 
14. Date of Current Illness Injury or PregnancyNot RequiredComplete if information is known. Enter the date of illness, injury or pregnancy, (date of the last menstrual period) using two digits for the month, two digits for the date and two digits for the year. Example: 070114 for July 1, 2014.

Enter the applicable qualifier to identify which date is being reported.
431 - Onset of Current Symptoms or Illness
484 - Last Menstrual Period
15. Other DateNot Required 
16. Date Patient Unable to Work in Current OccupationNot Required 
17. Name of Referring PhysicianConditional

Complete with District/BOCES NPI number for claims with a date of service on or after January 1, 2022, for any of the following services:

  1. Physical Therapy
  2. Occupational Therapy
  3. Speech, Language, and Hearing Services
18. Hospitalization Dates Related to Current ServiceConditionalComplete for services provided in an inpatient hospital setting. Enter the date of hospital admission and the date of discharge using two digits for the month, two digits for the date, and two digits for the year. Example: 070118 for July 1, 2018. If the member is still hospitalized, the discharge date may be omitted. This information is not edited.
19. Additional Claim InformationConditional 
20. Outside Lab?
$ Charges
ConditionalComplete if all laboratory work was referred to and performed by an outside laboratory. If this box is checked, no payment will be made to the physician for lab services. Do not complete this field if any laboratory work was performed in the office.

Practitioners may not request payment for services performed by an independent or hospital laboratory.
21. Diagnosis or Nature of Illness or InjuryRequiredEnter at least one but no more than twelve diagnosis codes based on the member's diagnosis/condition.

Enter applicable ICD-10 indicator.
22. Medicaid Resubmission CodeConditionalList the original reference number for resubmitted claims.

When resubmitting a claim, enter the appropriate bill frequency code in the left-hand side of the field.
7 - Replacement of prior claim
8 - Void/Cancel of prior claim
This field is not intended for use for original claim submissions.
23. Prior AuthorizationConditionalCLIA
When applicable, enter the word "CLIA" followed by the number.

Prior Authorization
Enter the six-character prior authorization number from the approved Prior Authorization Request (PAR). Do not combine services from more than one approved PAR on a single claim form. Do not attach a copy of the approved PAR unless advised to do so by the authorizing agent or the fiscal agent.
24. Claim Line DetailInformationThe paper claim form allows entry of up to six detailed billing lines. Fields 24A through 24J apply to each billed line.

Do not enter more than six lines of information on the paper claim. If more than six lines of information are entered, the additional lines will not be entered for processing.

Each claim form must be fully completed (totaled).

Do not file continuation claims (e.g., Page 1 of 2).
24A. Dates of ServiceRequired

The field accommodates the entry of two dates: a "From" date of services and a "To" date of service. Enter the date of service using two digits for the month, two digits for the date and two digits for the year. Example: 010116 for January 1, 2016.

FromTo
010119   

or

FromTo
010119010119

Span dates of service

FromTo
010119013119

Practitioner claims must be consecutive days.
Single Date of Service: Enter the six-digit date of service in the "From" field. Completion of the "To field is not required. Do not spread the date entry across the two fields.

Span billing: permissible if the same service (same procedure code) is provided on consecutive dates.

Supplemental Qualifier 
To enter supplemental information, begin at 24A by entering the qualifier and then the information.
ZZ - Narrative description of unspecified code
VP - Vendor Product Number
OZ - Product Number
CTR - Contract Rate
JP - Universal/National Tooth Designation
JO - Dentistry Designation System for Tooth & Areas of Oral Cavity

24B. Place of ServiceRequiredEnter the Place of Service (POS) code that describes the location where services were rendered. The Health First Colorado accepts the CMS place of service codes.
24C. EMGConditionalEnter a "Y" for YES or leave blank for NO in the bottom, unshaded area of the field to indicate the service is rendered for a life-threatening condition or one that requires immediate medical intervention.

If a "Y" for YES is entered, the service on this detail line is exempt from co-payment requirements.
24D. Procedures, Services, or SuppliesRequiredEnter the HCPCS procedure code that specifically describes the service for which payment is requested.

All procedures must be identified with codes in the current edition of Physicians Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). CPT is updated annually.

HCPCS Level II Codes
The current Medicare coding publication (for Medicare crossover claims only).

Only approved codes from the current CPT or HCPCS publications will be accepted.
24D. ModifierRequiredEnter the appropriate procedure-related modifier that applies to the billed service. Up to four modifiers may be entered when using the paper claim form.
24E. Diagnosis PointerRequiredEnter the diagnosis code reference letter (A-L) that relates the date of service and the procedures performed to the primary diagnosis.

At least one diagnosis code reference letter must be entered.

When multiple services are performed, the primary reference letter for each service should be listed first, other applicable services should follow.

This field allows for the entry of 4 characters in the unshaded area.
24F. $ ChargesRequiredEnter the usual and customary charge for the service represented by the procedure code on the detail line. Do not use commas when reporting dollar amounts. Enter 00 in the cents area if the amount is a whole number.

Some CPT procedure codes are grouped with other related CPT procedure codes. When more than one procedure from the same group is billed, special multiple pricing rules apply.

The base procedure is the procedure with the highest allowable amount. The base code is used to determine the allowable amounts for additional CPT surgical procedures when more than one procedure from the same grouping is performed.

Submitted charges cannot be more than charges made to non-Health First Colorado-covered individuals for the same service.

Do not deduct Health First Colorado co-pay or commercial insurance payments from the usual and customary charges.
24G. Days or UnitsRequiredEnter the number of services provided for each procedure code.
Enter whole numbers only- do not enter fractions or decimals.
Codes that define units as inclusive numbers
Some services such as allergy testing define units by the number of services as an inclusive number, not as additional services.
24H. EPSDT/Family PlanConditional

EPSDT (shaded area)
For Early & Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment related services, enter the response in the shaded portion of the field as follows:

AVAvailable- Not Used
S2Under Treatment
STNew Service Requested NU Not Used

Family Planning (unshaded area)
If the service is Family Planning, enter "Y" for YES or "N" for NO in the bottom, unshaded area of the field.

24I. ID QualifierNot Required 
24J. Rendering Provider ID #RequiredIn the shaded portion of the field, enter the NPI of the Health First Colorado provider number assigned to the individual who actually performed or rendered the billed service. This number cannot be assigned to a group or clinic.
25. Federal Tax ID NumberNot Required 
26. Patient's Account NumberOptionalEnter information that identifies the member or claim in the provider's billing system. Submitted information appears on the Remittance Advice (RA).
27. Accept Assignment?RequiredThe accept assignment indicates that the provider agrees to accept assignment under the terms of the payer's program.
28. Total ChargeRequiredEnter the sum of all charges listed in field 24F. Do not use commas when reporting dollar amounts. Enter 00 in the cents area if the amount is a whole number.
29. Amount PaidConditionalEnter the total amount paid by Medicare or any other commercial health insurance that has made payment on the billed services.

Do not use commas when reporting dollar amounts. Enter 00 in the cents area if the amount is a whole number.
30. Rsvd for NUCC Use  
31. Signature of Physician or Supplier Including Degrees or CredentialsRequiredEach claim must bear the signature of the enrolled provider or the signature of a registered authorized agent.

Each claim must have the date the enrolled provider or registered authorized agent signed the claim form. Enter the date the claim was signed using two digits for the month, two digits for the date and two digits for the year. Example: 070116 for July 1, 2016.
32. 32- Service Facility Location Information
32a- NPI Number
32b- Other ID #
RequiredEnter the name, address and ZIP code of the individual or business where the member was seen or service was performed in the following format:
1st Line Name
2nd Line Address
3rd Line City, State and ZIP Code
If the Provider Type is not able to obtain an NPI, enter the eight-digit Health First Colorado provider number of the individual or organization.
33. Billing Provider
Info & Ph #
RequiredEnter the name of the individual or organization that will receive payment for the billed services in the following format:
1st Line Name
2nd Line Address
3rd Line City, State and ZIP Code
33a- NPI NumberRequired 
33b- Other ID # If the Provider Type is not able to obtain an NPI, enter the eight-digit Health First Colorado provider number of the individual or organization.

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School Health Services Revisions Log

Revision DateAddition/ChangesMade by
8/2/2018Creation of separate School Health Services ManualHCPF
2/19/2020Replaced procedure codes 96150 and 96151 with one code 96156 effective 1/1/2020HCPF
2/26/2020Updated claim reference table layoutHCPF
2/27/2020Converted to web pageHCPF
9/14/2020Added Line to Box 32 under the CMS 1500 Paper Claim Reference TableHCPF
9/28/2020Added procedure codes for new qualified provider types and removed Target Case Management categoryHCPF
12/21/2020Added telemedicine modifier code GT to procedure code 97139HCPF
11/15/2021Added Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing (ORP) Provider RequirementsHCPF
08/23/2022Added procedure codes 90839 and 90840HCPF
09/26/2023Updated language around 120 day timely filing HCPF
07/01/2024NPI OPR requirement changed to individual provider, included language on community providers billing in a school setting, and added behavioral health procedure codes required by SB 23-174.HCPF