Psychologists Psychologists hired by the Employer, with no prior years of experience as a school psychologist, teacher, or prior years of military service shall be placed on Step 1 of the salary schedule effective July 1, 1990. Credit for combined years of prior experience as a school psychologist, teacher, and active military service experience shall be allowed at a rate of one (1) year for each twelve (12) months of continuous service up to a maximum of eight (8) years, as per credit requirements in Salary guidelines. Retroactive to the 2000 – 2001 school year, for new school psychologists, credit for combined years of prior experience as a school psychologist, teacher, and active military service experience shall be allowed at a rate of one (1) year for each twelve
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the psychologist and patient, and the particular problems you hope to address. There are many different methods I may use to deal with those problems. Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for a very active effort on your part. In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will have to work on things we talk about both during our sessions and at home. Psychotherapy can have benefits and risks. Because therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. When treating insomnia specifically, therapy might cause you to experience increased sleepiness and fatigue, especially in the early phases of treatment. On the other hand, psychotherapy has also been shown to have benefits for people who go through it. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, significant reductions in feelings of distress, improved sleep, and less fatigue. But there are no guarantees as to what you will experience. Our first session will involve an evaluation of your needs. By the end of the evaluation, I will be able to offer you some first impressions of what our work will include and a treatment plan to follow, if you decide to continue with me for therapy. You should evaluate this information along with your own opinions about whether you feel comfortable working with me. At the end of the evaluation, I will notify you if I believe that I am not the right therapist for you and if so, I will give you referrals to other practitioners who I believe are better suited to help you. Therapy involves a large commitment of time, money, and energy, so you should be very careful about the therapist you select. If you have questions about my procedures, we should discuss them whenever they arise. If your doubts persist, I will be happy to help you set up a meeting with another mental health professional for a second opinion. Please note that the psychological services I provide are not for emergency situations. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. FEES My fee is $395 for an initial evaluation lasting 90 minutes, and $250 for each subsequent psychotherapy session (either in-person or over the telephone) lasting 45 minutes. I charge this same $250 per 45-minutes rate for other professional services you may need, though I will prorate the cost if I work for periods of less than 45 minutes in increments of 15 minutes, rounded to the nearest 15-minute increment (e.g., 22 minutes of service will be charged for 15 minutes whereas 23 minutes of service will be charged for 30 minutes). Other professional services include telephone conversations or email responses lasting longer than 15 minutes, and the time spent performing any other service you may request of me. If you become involved in legal proceedings that require my participation, you will be expected to pay for any professional time I spend on your legal matter, even if the request comes from another party, at the same $250 per 45-minutes rate. I do not charge for time spent writing reports and progress notes as per the standard routine of my care of you. I also do not charge for any time I may spend collaborating with your other providers. From time to time, I may institute fee increases and these will be discussed and agreed upon ahead of time with a new Treatment Contract. If it has been more than one year since our last appointment, then you will re-initiate services at my current standard fee which may be higher than the fee you were previously paying. In addition, if it has been more than one year since our last appointment, you will be scheduled for another initial evaluation (90 minutes) and charged accordingly, with subsequent 45-minute psychotherapy sessions thereafter. INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT You are responsible for paying your full session fee. I am not in-network with any insurance companies. If you decide to submit claims to your insurance company for reimbursement for any out-of-network benefits you might have, you may do so. However, be aware that the services provided will still be charged to you, not your insurance company, and you are responsible for the full payment. I have no role in deciding what your insurance covers. You are responsible for checking your insurance coverage, deductibles, payment rates, pre-authorization procedures, etc. Missed appointments, late cancellations (i.e., cancellations within 24 hours of service), and telephone session are not typically covered by insurance companies and therefore you will likely be responsible for the full session fee in these instances. If your insurance company doesn’t reimburse you, I am not responsible for refunding you any payment you expected to be reimbursed or otherwise. I will provide you a superbill after each session with the following information that you will need to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement for any out-of-network benefits you might have:
School Psychologists At the time of employment and subject to (b) above, full credit for specialized work as a psychologist in a school program shall be given. Full credit for other clinic experience may be given, subject to approval by the Human Resources Division.
Mental Health The parties recognize the importance of supporting and promoting a psychologically healthy workplace and as such will adhere to all applicable statutes, policy, guidelines and regulations pertaining to the promotion of mental health.
Behavioral Health Services – Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Inpatient - Unlimited days at a general hospital or a specialty hospital including detoxification or residential/rehabilitation per plan year. Preauthorization may be required for services received from a non-network provider. 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Outpatient or intermediate careservices* - See Covered Healthcare Services: Behavioral Health Section for details about partial hospital program, intensive outpatient program, adult intensive services, and child and family intensive treatment. Preauthorization may be required for services received from a non-network provider. 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Office visits - See Office Visits section below for Behavioral Health services provided by a PCP or specialist. Psychological Testing 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Medication-assisted treatment - whenrenderedby a mental health or substance use disorder provider. 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Methadone maintenance treatment - one copayment per seven-day period of treatment. 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Cardiac Rehabilitation Outpatient - Benefit is limited to 18 weeks or 36 visits (whichever occurs first) per coveredepisode. 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Chiropractic Services In a physician's office - limited to 12 visits per plan year. 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Dental Services - Accidental Injury (Emergency) Emergency room - When services are due to accidental injury to sound natural teeth. 0% - After deductible The level of coverage is the same as network provider. In a physician’s/dentist’s office - When services are due to accidental injury to sound natural teeth. 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Dental Services- Outpatient Services connected to dental care when performed in an outpatient facility * 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Dialysis Services Inpatient/outpatient/in your home 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Covered Benefits - See Covered Healthcare Services for additional benefit limits and details. Network Providers Non-network Providers (*) Preauthorization may be required for this service. Please see Preauthorization in Section 5 for more information. You Pay You Pay Durable Medical Equipment (DME), Medical Supplies, Diabetic Supplies, Prosthetic Devices, and Enteral Formula or Food, Hair Prosthetics Outpatient durable medical equipment* - Must be provided by a licensed medical supply provider. 20% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Outpatient medical supplies* - Must be provided by a licensed medical supply provider. 20% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Outpatient diabetic supplies/equipment purchasedat licensed medical supply provider (other than a pharmacy). See the Summary of Pharmacy Benefits for supplies purchased at a pharmacy. 20% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Outpatient prosthesis* - Must be provided by a licensed medical supply provider. 20% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Enteral formula delivered through a feeding tube. Must be sole source of nutrition. 20% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Enteral formula or food taken orally * 20% - After deductible The level of coverage is the same as network provider. Hair prosthesis (wigs) - The benefit limit is $350 per hair prosthesis (wig) when worn for hair loss suffered as a result of cancer treatment. 20% - After deductible The level of coverage is the same as network provider. Early Intervention Services (EIS) Coverage provided for members from birth to 36 months. The provider must be certified as an EIS provider by the Rhode Island Department of Human Services. 0% - After deductible The level of coverage is the same as network provider. Education - Asthma Asthma management 0% - After deductible 40% - After deductible Emergency Room Services Hospital emergency room 0% - After deductible The level of coverage is the same as network provider.
Diagnosis For a condition to be considered a covered illness or disorder, copies of laboratory tests results, X-rays, or any other report or result of clinical examinations on which the diagnosis was based, are required as part of the positive diagnosis by a physician.
Mental Health Services This agreement covers medically necessary services for the treatment of mental health disorders in a general or specialty hospital or outpatient facilities that are: • reviewed and approved by us; and • licensed under the laws of the State of Rhode Island or by the state in which the facility is located as a general or specialty hospital or outpatient facility. We review network and non-network programs, hospitals and inpatient facilities, and the specific services provided to decide whether a preauthorization, hospital or inpatient facility, or specific services rendered meets our program requirements, content and criteria. If our program content and criteria are not met, the services are not covered under this agreement. Our program content and criteria are defined below.
Behavioral Health Behavioral health services, with the exception of Medicaid Rehabilitation Option (MRO) and 1915(i) services, are a covered benefit under the Hoosier Healthwise program. The Contractor shall be responsible for managing and reimbursing all such services in accordance with the requirements in this section. In furnishing behavioral health benefits, including any applicable utilization restrictions, the Contractor shall comply with the Mental Health Parity and Additions Equity Act (MHPAEA). This includes, but is not limited to: Ensuring medical management techniques applied to mental health or substance use disorder benefits are comparable to and applied no more stringently than the medical management techniques that are applied to medical and surgical benefits. Ensuring compliance with MHPAEA for any benefits offered by the Contractor to members beyond those otherwise specified in this Scope of Work. Making the criteria for medical necessity determinations for mental health or substance use disorder benefits available to any current or potential members, or contracting provider upon request. Providing the reason for any denial of reimbursement or payment with respect to mental health or substance use disorder benefits to members. Providing out-of-network coverage for mental health or substance use disorder benefits when made available for medical and surgical benefits. The Contractor shall assure that behavioral health services are integrated with physical care services, and that behavioral health services are provided as part of the treatment continuum of care. The Contractor shall develop protocols to: Provide care that addresses the needs of members in an integrated way, with attention to the physical health and chronic disease contributions to behavioral health; Provide a written plan and evidence of ongoing, increased communication between the PMP, the Contractor and the behavioral health care provider; and Coordinate management of utilization of behavioral health care services with MRO and 1915(i) services and services for physical health.
Health Screening The Contractor shall conduct a Health Needs Screen (HNS) for new members that enroll in the Contractor’s plan. The HNS will be used to identify the member’s physical and/or behavioral health care needs, special health care needs, as well as the need for disease management, care management and/or case management services set forth in Section 3.8. The HNS may be conducted in person, by phone, online or by mail. The Contractor shall use the standard health screening tool developed by OMPP, i.e., the Health Needs Screening Tool, but is permitted to supplement the OMPP Health Needs Screening Tool with additional questions developed by the Contractor. Any additions to the OMPP Health Needs Screening Tool shall be approved by OMPP. The HNS shall be conducted within ninety (90) calendar days of the Contractor’s receipt of a new member’s fully eligible file from the State. The Contractor is encouraged to conduct the HNS at the same time it assists the member in making a PMP selection. The Contractor shall also be required to conduct a subsequent health screening or comprehensive health assessment if a member’s health care status is determined to have changed since the original screening, such as evidence of overutilization of health care services as identified through such methods as claims review. Non-clinical staff may conduct the HNS. The results of the HNS shall be transferred to OMPP in the form and manner set forth by OMPP. As part of this contract, the Contractor shall not be required to conduct HNS for members enrolled in the Contractor’s plan prior to January 1, 2017 unless a change in the member’s health care status indicates the need to conduct a health screening. For purposes of the HNS requirement, new members are defined as members that have not been enrolled in the Contractor’s plan in the previous twelve (12) months. Data from the HNS or NOP form, current medications and self-reported medical conditions will be used to develop stratification levels for members in Hoosier Healthwise. The Contractor may use its own proprietary stratification methodology to determine which members should be referred to specific care coordination services ranging from disease management to complex case management. OMPP shall apply its own stratification methodology which may, in future years, be used to link stratification level to the per member per month capitation rate. The initial HNS shall be followed by a detailed Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT) by a health care professional when a member is identified through the HNS as having a special health care need, as set forth in Section 4.2.4, or when there is a need to follow up on problem areas found in the initial HNS. The detailed CHAT may include, but is not limited to, discussion with the member, a review of the member’s claims history and/or contact with the member’s family or health care providers. These interactions shall be documented and shall be available for review by OMPP. The Contractor shall keep up-to-date records of all members found to have special health care needs based on the initial screening, including documentation of the follow-up detailed CHAT and contacts with the member, their family or health care providers.
Critical Illness Three (3) days per year, with pay, shall be granted in the case of a critical illness or accident to a member of the employee's immediate family as defined in Section 9.4.2. A statement by the physician verifying the need for the employee to be present with the immediate family member shall be attached to the absence form.
