DRS Rehabilitation Policy Manual Chapter 5: Services

Revised 03/09

5.3.4 Physical Restoration Services or Procedures with Special Requirements

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Outpatient Services

Provide outpatient services if prescribed by a physician.

Outpatient services may include

  • physician visits;
  • physical or occupational therapy;
  • speech, language, or hearing therapy; or
  • home health or nursing care.

Provide outpatient services only when prescribed by a physician, and *only if they are likely, within a reasonable period of time, to correct or modify substantially a stable or slowly progressive physical or mental impairment that constitutes a substantial impediment to employment.*

*Based on 34 CFR Section 361.5(b)(40)

Ordinarily, outpatient services are ordinarily limited to six weeks or 30 visits (or less, if that is the service provider’s recommendation). If the service provider requests an extension of treatment beyond his or her initial recommendation, assess the consumer's potential for continued progress. Your assessment may involve reviewing treatment progress notes and/or contacting the physician, LMC, and/or provider. If continuing treatment,

  • ensure that the case file clearly reflects how continued services are expected to contribute to achieving the employment goal; and
  • if you are extending services beyond six weeks or 30 visits, obtain the area manager's approval.

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5.3.6 Mental Restoration Services

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Provider Qualifications

If a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist recommends or prescribes mental restoration services, you may purchase them from

  • physicians skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of mental or emotional disorders licensed by the Texas Medical Board,
  • psychologists licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists,
  • licensed clinical social workers who are licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners,
  • licensed professional counselors who are licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors,
  • psychiatric-mental health clinical nurse specialists and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners licensed by the Texas Board of Nursing,
  • physician assistants, licensed by the Texas Physician Assistant Board, or
  • licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) who are licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Use the following table to purchase psychotherapy services if a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist recommends or prescribes them.

Service / Provider Qualifications
Psychological counseling / Psychologist who is licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Social work counseling / Clinical social worker (LCSW) who is licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners
Licensed professional counseling / Professional counselor who is licensed by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors
Psychiatric treatment (medical management and/or psychotherapy) / Physician who is board-certified or board-eligible in psychiatry

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5.8.5 Interpreter Services for the Deaf

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Using an Interpreter Agency

An interpreter agency is an organization that coordinates and schedules the services of certified interpreters.

Coordination and Service Fee. When DRS secures interpreter services through an agency, the agency may charge a service fee. This service fee is intended to cover

coordination of the interpreter,

up to one hour of travel,

any set-up needed, and

the first hour of interpreter service.

The coordination and service fee should not exceed two times the hourly rate of the assignment. This fee is not paid to independent interpreters.

Out-of-Area Fee. When an agency interpreter travels outside his or her normal HHSC Region to provide services to a consumer, with prior approval the agency may charge lodging and per diem reimbursement, in accordance with state regulations.

When an agency interpreter's travel time exceeds the initial hour covered by the coordination and service fee, with prior approval, the agency may charge either

an "out-of-area" fee for travel time exceeding one hour (to be paid at the hourly rate of the assignment),

or

mileage reimbursement, in accordance with state regulations.

This fee is not paid to Independent Interpreters.

Purchasing Interpreter Services

Ordinarily, payment for interpreter services must not exceed the established DRS fee schedule (see DHHS Communication Access Maximum Rates). You should make every effort to plan service delivery according to the regular (day) rates. For specific rates and interpreter policy, see DHHS Communication Access Maximum Rates. (see Defining Alternate Interpreting Rates).

Colleges and Universities

DRS has contracts with several colleges and universities to offset part of the cost for interpreter services, and rates are determined by the contract terms. Therefore, fees in the DRS Fee Schedule do not apply to contracted institutions unless noted in the terms of the contract.

Payments made to colleges and universities that are not under a DRS contract must comply with the established DRS Fee Schedule.

Travel Reimbursement for Independent Interpreters. The independent interpreter may claim travel reimbursement within a city or county for the distance between the interpreter's headquarters and the assignment location in either

portal-to-portal time, or

mileage.

Portal-to-portal is the time it takes the interpreter to provide services, which may include drive time to and from the interpreter's headquarters, up to a maximum of two hours.

Headquarters is the interpreter's main business location or home address, whichever is closer to the assignment.

Unless otherwise specified, interpreters may not claim both types of reimbursement for the same time.

Paying Team Interpreters. Team interpreters (two) at assignments more than 1.5 hours are each paid full-time for the assignment.

Paying for Cancellations and No-Shows. The interpreter should wait a minimum of one-half hour for the consumer before leaving the assignment site.

Cancellations of 24 or fewer business hours can be billed and paid as described below:

If cancellation occurs before the interpreter incurs travel, the total service hours requested (coordination and service fee or hourly fee) are billable; when involving an agency, the minimum charge is usually limited to the coordination and service fee.

If cancellation is last minute, the consumer is a no-show, or the appointment does not occur and the certified interpreter incurs travel, the total service hours requested are billable; if travel itself is more than the total service hours requested, the billable time is the time requested (service and coordination fee or hourly fee) plus the out-of-area fee.

Paying an Out-of-State Provider

. When an out-of-state provider performs interpreter services

  • within Texas, the established fees apply; or
  • outside Texas, the fee is a the maximum of the highest in-state fee for the applicable certification level.

Procedures for Purchasing Interpreter Services

The rate for interpreter services depends on the

  • HHS region where the service is provided, ;
  • interpreter's certification level, ; and
  • situation (regularday, overtime evening/weekend, or emergency or holiday) that requires the service (see DHHS Communication Access Maximum Rates).

Use the following procedure to purchase the services of an interpreter.

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