Coverage of Vision Services under the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

CRS Report for Congress
Coverage of Vision Services under the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
October 12, 2004
Evelyne P. Baumrucker
Analyst in Social Legislation
Domestic Social Policy Division


Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

Coverage of Vision Services under the State Children’s
Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)
Summary
A small but significant proportion of children have visual impairments. When
detected early, many childhood vision abnormalities are treatable, but the potential
for correction and normal visual development diminishes with age. Under SCHIP,
states may provide coverage by expanding Medicaid or creating a separate SCHIP
program or both. Medicaid and SCHIP provide access to an array of vision-related
services, including vision screening services that can help children in low- to
moderate-income families overcome these difficulties.
Medicaid’s mandatory Early, and Periodic, Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment
(EPSDT) benefit ensures access to vision screening services for children. However,
there are several other Medicaid benefit categories where vision screening services
may be delivered. Often such services are billed as a part of a well-child visit. Under
SCHIP, state-specific benefit packages must provide well-baby and well-child care,
which includes a vision screening component. As with Medicaid, the well-child
coverage requirement is not the only service category where children could receive
vision screening under SCHIP. Children may also receive vision screening services
under other SCHIP-covered services such as physician services.
A June 2000 CRS benefits survey provides some clues as to access to vision
services under SCHIP Medicaid expansion and separate state programs. At that time,
nearly all Medicaid and SCHIP programs covered vision services for children, and
most also covered eye glasses. The survey data indicates that the breadth of vision-
related benefits available under these two programs likely differs within and across
states.
Coverage policies and benefit limits for the lowest-income children as described
in state Medicaid plans are seldom absolute because of EPSDT. For nearly all
Medicaid children, states are required to provide all federally allowed treatment to
correct identified problems, even if the specific treatment needed is not otherwise
covered under a state’s Medicaid plan. As a result, when a Medicaid agency reports
that a specific benefit is not covered for children, that means the service is available
only when delivery of that service meets the EPSDT requirement.
Services for higher-income children under SCHIP are sometimes more
restrictive. Unlike Medicaid, but consistent with federal statute, separate SCHIP
programs are modeled after private sector, commercial insurance products. The
requirement to use benchmark plans (or actuarial equivalents of those plans), most
of which are state employee health plans or commercial HMO plans, provides the
framework for defining benefit limits. Under commercial insurance products,
benefits are always limited by medical necessity, but other limits may apply and will
vary by insurance product, as do procedures to monitor for medical need and
appropriateness. Payments to providers participating in these plans may be altered
based on the outcome of such service utilization reviews, which can in turn affect
access to care. This report will not be updated.



Contents
Background ......................................................1
What Are Vision Services and What Types of Providers
Deliver Vision Services?..................................3
Vision Screening Services...................................3
Primary Vision Care and Related Services......................3
Eye Surgery..............................................3
Eye Glasses and Corrective Contact Lenses.....................3
Screening of Vision Disorders among Children......................3
The SCHIP Program...............................................5
Background ..................................................5
Vision-Related Benefits under SCHIP Medicaid Expansion Programs....6
Medicaid’s EPSDT Service Category..........................7
Vision-Related Benefits under SCHIP Separate State Plans.............9
Scope of Vision-Related Benefits for Children: A Snapshot of Selected
Medicaid and SCHIP Coverage Policies in FY2000................11
Survey Design and Data Caveats.................................11
General Coverage Policies and Methods for Limiting Benefits.........14
Well-Child (non-EPSDT) Services...........................14
Physician Services........................................16
Vision Services..........................................17
Eye Glasses.............................................19
The Nature of Benefit Limits for Children under Medicaid
and SCHIP..........................................20
Conclusion ......................................................21
List of Tables
Table 1. Coverage of, and Limits for Monitoring of Well-Child (Non-EPSDT)
for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)............15
Table 2. Coverage of, and Limits for Monitoring of Physician Services
for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)............16
Table 3. Coverage of, and Limits for Monitoring of Vision Services
for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)............18
Table 4. Coverage of, and Limits for Monitoring of Eye Glasses
for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)............20
Appendix A. Specified Limits and/or Monitoring of Well-Child
(Non-EPSDT) Services for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP
(as of June 2000).............................................23
Appendix B. Specified Limits and/or Monitoring of Physician Services
for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)............28
Appendix C. Specified Limits and/or Monitoring of Vision Services
for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)............31
Appendix D. Specified Limits and/or Monitoring of Eye Glasses
for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)............38



Coverage of Vision Services under the State
Children’s Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP)
Background
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, in 2002, vision disorders
were the fourth most common disability among children in the United States, and the
leading cause of impaired conditions among children ages 0 through 18. Among
preschool-aged children, as many as 2 to 5% were estimated to have impaired vision.
However, of the estimated 21% of preschool aged children that received vision
screening (i.e., services to detect poor vision or risk factors that interfere with vision
and normal visual development), 14% received a comprehensive vision exam
provided by an optometrist, or ophthalmologist appropriately trained to treat pediatric
patients.1
Young children are particularly vulnerable to conditions that interfere with
vision and visual development. When detected early, many childhood vision
abnormalities are treatable, but the potential for correction that will lead to normal
visual development diminishes with age. Thus, early detection and treatment are
necessary to ensure the best possible outcome. Common vision disorders or
abnormalities in visual development among children include the following:2
!Amblyopia. Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is diminished vision in one eye
resulting from altered visual development where the part of the brain
that controls vision favors one eye over the other. If the weaker eye
is untreated, eyesight will progressively worsen. This disorder is the
most common cause of vision loss in children in the United States,
affecting approximately 5% of the child population.3 Treatment for
amblyopia includes corrective lenses; eye surgery; miotic eye drops;
or other therapies including occlusion (i.e., covering) of the opposite
eye; or optical blurring. Amblyopia is often caused by:
— Strabismus. A misalignment of the eyes resulting in one eye
being used less than the other;


1 Pediatrics, vol. 109, no. 3, Mar. 2002, pp. 524-525.
2 Monte D. Mills, “The Eye in Childhood,” American Academy of Family Physician, Sept.

1, 1999.


3 [http://www.visionchannel.net/amblyopia/]

— Anisometropia. Unequal refractive components of the eye
(e.g., one eye may be nearsighted and the other farsighted). This
disorder results in images that are not focused simultaneously,
so the brain favors the stronger eye;
— Deprivation. Includes vision problems where something
(e.g., cataracts, ptosis, and corneal scars) interferes with equal
visual development in both eyes;
— Accommodating estropia. Excessive reflexive convergence
or cross eyes;
— Nystagmus. Involuntary, rhythmic oscillation of the eyes
caused by bilateral poor vision or abnormal motor input;
— Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). ROP is a vision disorder
of developing blood vessels that occurs in premature newborns
(i.e., those born at less than 32 weeks);
!Refractive errors. Nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness
(hyperopia), and astigmatism;
!Ocular Diseases. Such as optic nerve disorders and ocular motility
disorders; and
!Color Vision Defects. Defects in color vision where a person has
difficulty distinguishing between colors that are on the “confusion
lines” (e.g., yellow and blue, or yellow and violet).
Children’s vision screening services to detect such eye problems have long been
a mandated part of several federal health programs including the Early and Periodic
Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program (EPSDT) under Medicaid,4 Head
Start,5 and some of the children’s programs under the Maternal and Child Health
(MCH) block grant.6 Medicaid regulations require state Medicaid agencies to
coordinate child health initiatives (including health screening services) with Title V
(Maternal and Child Health) programs, and with other related programs such as Head
Start. In addition, the Education of the Handicapped Act7 mandates vision screening
for children with disabilities and/or developmental delays that enter early intervention
programs. Early intervention programs provide an array of services and supports for
children with special needs, and for their families.


4 Section 1905(r) of the Social Security Act.
5 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start: A Child Development
Program. Washington, DC, Department of Health and Human Services, 1981, DHHS
Publications No. (OHDS) 81-30192.
6 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Legislative Base Maternal Child Health
Programs, Washington, DC, Department of Health and Human Services, 1980, DHHS
Publication Number (HSA) 80-5221.
7 20 U.S.C. § 1400.

What Are Vision Services and What Types of Providers
Deliver Vision Services?
To provide context for the discussion that follows, this section describes various
vision services, and the types of providers that generally offer such services.
Vision Screening Services. Vision screening services include procedures
to detect poor vision or risk factors that interfere with vision and normal visual
development. Such services may be provided in a variety of settings (e.g., schools,
health clinics, child care settings, optometrist’s office, etc.), and may be conducted
by a variety of qualified health service providers (e.g., school nurses, parent
volunteers, medical practitioners, optometrists, etc.).
Primary Vision Care and Related Services. Optometrists provide most
primary vision care. Primary vision care includes eye exams to diagnose vision
problems and eye diseases, and to test patients’ visual acuity, depth and color
perception, and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. In general an optometrist’s
role is to analyze test results and develop a treatment plan. Optometrists prescribe
eyeglasses and contact lenses and provide vision therapy and low-vision
rehabilitation. They are qualified to administer drugs to patients to aid in the
diagnosis of vision problems and to prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases.
Optometrists often provide preoperative and postoperative care to patients who have
vision correction or other eye surgery. They also diagnose conditions due to systemic
diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, referring patients to other health
practitioners as needed.
Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in eye care. Like optometrists,
they provide primary vision care services like those listed above; however, in
addition, they diagnose and treat eye diseases, deformities, and injuries that require
surgery.
Eye Surgery. Eye surgery includes procedures performed by ophthalmologists
to correct physical deformities, or to repair tissue after injuries, or preventive
surgeries on patients with debilitating diseases or disorders.
Eye Glasses and Corrective Contact Lenses. Eyeglasses and contact
lenses are aids to vision prescribed by a physician skilled in diseases of the eye or by
an optometrist. Opticians fit eye glasses and, in some states, may fit contact lenses
according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. Some
opticians specialize in fitting contacts, artificial eyes, or cosmetic shells to cover
blemished eyes.
Screening of Vision Disorders among Children
Despite the prevalence of vision disorders among children, vision screening
programs to detect poor vision or risk factors that interfere with vision and normal



visual development vary by state and by geographic region.8 A 1999 vision screening
policies and procedures survey among the 50 states and the District of Columbia
showed that 34 states had guidelines for pre-school age vision screening, even though
consensus among vision care experts recommends that eye screenings occur as early
as childbirth. Two additional states (i.e., Virginia, and Washington) had preschool
vision screening guidelines, but only for children with disabilities. Further, in most
states, mandatory vision screening did not occur until the children entered
kindergarten. The survey also indicated that there was little consensus across states
on the ages at which children should be screened, the areas of vision that should be
evaluated, the appropriate tests to administer, or the types of personnel that should
administer the screening (e.g., school nurses, aides, teachers, volunteer parent
assistants, medical practitioners, trained technicians, etc.). The authors concluded
that even among states with well-established vision screening policies, there is no
guarantee that the procedures in place would effectively identify children who require
further examination by a trained eye care specialist (i.e., optometrist, or
ophthalmologi st). 9
In April 2003, four professional organizations10 concerned with children’s eye
care developed guidelines to be used by physicians, nurses, educational institutions,
public health departments, and other professionals who perform vision screening
services for infants, children, and young adults. The guidelines establish that eye
examinations and vision screening should be performed on newborns at birth, and at
all well-child visits. In addition, visual acuity measurement tests (e.g., picture tests,
Snellen numbers, or the tumbling E test) should be performed as early as possible,
usually at 3 years of age. The guidelines also establish criteria for appropriate
number, timing, and age-appropriate procedures for each eye evaluation. Finally, the
guidelines recommend that children found to have an ocular abnormality or who fail
vision screening should be referred to a pediatric ophthalmologist or an eye care
specialist appropriately trained to treat pediatric patients.11
Many of the public health programs listed above (e.g., Head Start, Medicaid’s
EPSDT program, and MCH) with mandatory vision screening requirements rely
instead on the Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care periodicity
schedules developed by the Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine of the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to establish vision screening guidelines for
their program enrollees.12 As compared to the 2003 vision screening standards


8 [http://www.medicalhomeinfo.org/screening/Screen%20Materials/PUPVS_%7E2.DOC].
9 Johanna Seddon and Donald Fong, eds. Public Health and the Eye: A Survey of Vision
Screening Policy of Preschool Children in the United States, Survey of Ophthalmology,
vol., no. 5, Mar.-Apr. 1999.
10 The four eye care professional organizations include (1) the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP), (2) the American Association of Certified Orthoptists, (3) the American
Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, and (4) the American Academy
of Ophthalmology.
11 Pediatrics, vol. 111, no. 4, Apr. 2003.
12 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), State Medicaid Manual, Part 5,
(continued...)

mentioned above, the AAP’s recommendations are far less detailed in that they do
not identify specific age-appropriate procedures for each eye evaluation, or the level
of training required by individuals who perform the screenings. Instead, they indicate
ages for which vision screening should be performed either subjectively based on the
child’s medical history, or objectively based on a standard testing method.
The SCHIP Program
Background
SCHIP was established in 1997 under a new Title XXI of the Social Security
Act, and provides health insurance to certain uninsured children in families with
modest income. A total of $39.7 billion has been appropriated for SCHIP for
FY1998 through FY2007. Approximately, 5.8 million children were enrolled in
SCHIP during FY2003. Nationally, through FY2003, $13.7 billion in federal dollars
had been spent under the program.
In general, Title XXI defines a targeted low-income child as one who is under
the age of 19 years with no health insurance, and who would not have been eligible
for Medicaid under the rules in effect in the state on March 31, 1997. States may set
the upper income level for targeted low-income children up to 200% of the federal
poverty level (FPL),13 or if the applicable Medicaid income level for children is at or
above 200% FPL prior to SCHIP, the upper income limit may be raised an additional
50 percentage points above that level. As of FY2002, the upper income eligibility
limit under SCHIP had reached 350% FPL (in New Jersey). Nearly one-half (24) of
the states and the District of Columbia had established upper income limits at 200%
FPL. Another 13 states exceeded 200% FPL. The remaining 13 states set maximum
income limits below 200% FPL.
Within these general rules, states may provide child health assistance to
qualifying children in two basic ways. They may cover children under their Medicaid
programs, and/or they may create a separate SCHIP program. (More details on
available benefits under each approach are described in the next section.) When
states provide Medicaid coverage to targeted low-income children, Medicaid rules
typically apply. When states provide coverage to targeted low-income children
through separate SCHIP programs, Title XXI rules typically apply. In both cases, the
federal share of program costs comes from federal SCHIP appropriations. As of July
2004, 17 states had Medicaid expansions, 18 had separate state programs, and 21
used a combination approach.14


12 (...continued)
Early, Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) Services, Section 5360, pp.

5-57. Available on CMS’s website at [http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/pub45/pub_45.asp].


13 In 2002, the poverty guideline in the 48 contiguous states and D.C. was $18,850 for a
family of four. Information available at [http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/04poverty.shtml].
14 Some states classified as “separate state program states” have more than one such
program. Program totals include the outlying areas.

Title XXI does not establish an individual entitlement to benefits. Instead, Title
XXI entitles states with approved state plans for Medicaid coverage or separate
SCHIP programs to predetermined federal allotments based on a distribution formula
set in the law. However, targeted low-income children covered under Medicaid are
entitled to the benefits offered under that program as dictated by Medicaid law. No
such individual entitlement exists for targeted low-income children covered in
separate SCHIP programs.
Vision-Related Benefits under SCHIP Medicaid Expansion
Programs
Under Medicaid (including SCHIP Medicaid expansion programs), some
benefits are mandatory and others may be covered at state option. States that choose
to expand Medicaid to new eligibles under SCHIP authority must provide the full
range of mandatory Medicaid benefits for the categorically needy, as well as all15
optional services covered.
Some categories of service have an obvious connection to vision screening,
while others do not. This is in part due to the fact that many of the benefit categories
listed in statute identify a type of provider or care setting rather than a type of service.
For example, as discussed above, a wide variety of qualified providers may deliver
vision screening services under Medicaid, including physicians, optometrists, and
other qualified providers, and enrollees may access vision-related services in a
variety of settings such as a hospital or a rural health clinic. The Medicaid
mandatory categories of service that all states must offer to their categorically needy
groups, and that are likely to include vision-related benefits such as vision
screenings, eye exams, and treatment of eye diseases or visual impairments (e.g., eye
surgery or eye glasses), are:
!inpatient hospital services;
!outpatient hospital services;


15 The two broad eligibility categories described in Medicaid statute include categorically
needy and medically needy. Categorically needy refers to low-income families and children,
aged, or individuals who are blind or have a disability, and certain pregnant women who are
eligible for Medicaid. Medically needy individuals are persons who fall into one of the
categorically needy groups but whose income and resources are too high to qualify as
categorically needy. (42 C.F.R. §435.4).
Special benefits rules apply if states choose to cover medically needy populations.
States may offer a more restricted benefit package for those enrollees but are required, at a
minimum, to offer the following: prenatal and delivery services for pregnant women;
ambulatory services for individuals under 18 and those entitled to institutional services; and
home health services for individuals entitled to nursing facility services. Broader
requirements apply if a state has chosen to provide coverage for medically needy persons
in institutions for mental disease and intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded.
If so, the state is required to cover either all of the mandatory services, or alternatively, the
optional services listed in any seven of the categories of care and services in Medicaid law
defining covered benefits.

!physician services (e.g., including optometrists);16
!rural health clinic services;
!federally qualified health center services;
!other laboratory and X-ray services (e.g., opthalmoscopy to view and
analyze diseases of the optic nerve);
!certified pediatric and family nurse practitioners; and
!early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment (EPSDT) for
persons under age 21 years (more on this benefit below).
Categories of optional benefits that can include vision care are:
!eye glasses;
!clinic services;
!certain diagnostic, screening, preventive, and rehabilitative services;
!certain nurse practitioner services;
!certain targeted case management services; and
!prescription drugs.
Finally, under Medicaid, states can apply for waivers to modify virtually all
aspects of their programs without congressional review. Under the Section 1115
waiver authority, states may test a major restructuring of their Medicaid program.
States have the flexibility to experiment with different approaches for the delivery
of health care services, or to adapt their programs to the special needs of particular
geographic areas or groups of recipients. As of the fall of 2003, there were 53
operational Medicaid Section 1115 waiver programs in 32 states and the District of
Columbia. While none of these waivers specifically focus on vision-related benefits,
some provide access to such services through redefined benefit packages, and/or
provide vision-related services for population groups that would not otherwise be
covered such as parents and childless adults.
Medicaid’s EPSDT Service Category. Coverage policies and benefit
limits for children under Medicaid are seldom absolute in part because of special
provisions in the law requiring that children receive all medically necessary services
authorized in federal statute through the EPSDT program. The EPSDT program
provides screening and preventive care to nearly all groups of Medicaid beneficiaries
under 21 years of age.17 Furthermore, under EPSDT, states are required to provide
all federally-allowed treatment to correct problems identified through screenings,
even if the specific treatment needed is not otherwise covered under a state’s18
Medicaid plan. Thus, states may be required to cover some services for children
that would be optional or not covered at all for adults. This guarantee does not exist
in SCHIP. Instead, SCHIP children have access to benefit packages modeled after


16 A doctor of optometry, though not an M.D., is considered a “physician” for all the covered
vision care services he/she is legally authorized to perform in the state in which he/she
performs them. (Social Security Act §1861(r), and 42 C.F.R. § 410.20(b)).
17 EPSDT is not a mandatory benefit for the medically needy, although states that choose to
extend EPSDT to their medically needy population must make the benefit available to all
individuals under age 21.
18 Social Security Act §1905(r).

private sector, commercial insurance products. Under commercial insurance
products, benefits are always limited by medical necessity, but other limits defining
coverage may exist as well.
At a minimum, vision screening services under EPSDT must include diagnosis
and treatment for defects in vision and must cover eyeglasses. States set distinct
standards and protocols for each component of the EPSDT services, including vision
screenings.19 State-specific periodicity schedules to determine the type of procedure
to use, and the criteria for determining when a child should be referred for further
diagnostic examination must meet reasonable standards of medical practice
established by the state after consultation with recognized pediatric medical
organizations. Unlike state periodicity schedules for general medical screening
services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) does not require
states to submit their vision care periodicity schedules as a part of their Medicaid
state plan for approval by CMS. However, most states’ vision care periodicity
schedules are in accordance with the recommendations of the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP).20
The State Medicaid Manual explains that EPSDT exams must be performed by,
or under the supervision of, a certified Medicaid physician, dentist, or other provider
qualified under state law to furnish primary medical and health services. EPSDT
screening services may be provided in several settings including state and local health
departments; school health programs; programs for children with special health
needs; Maternity and Infant Care projects; children and youth programs; Head Start
programs; community health centers; well-child and rural health clinics;
medical/dental schools; prepaid health care plans; developmental disability agencies;
university-affiliated facilities; day care centers; rehabilitation agencies and voluntary
health organizations. EPSDT qualified providers may include nurse practitioners,
nurse midwives, registered nurses, physician assistants, private practitioners, and/or
any other licensed practitioners. With such a broad range of service delivery settings
and qualified provider arrangements, tracking operational vision screening practices
under the EPSDT requirement within a state is complex.
EPSDT Program Data. States must submit an annual EPSDT report (i.e.,
CMS Form 416) to CMS with basic program participation information. The current
CMS Form 416 records the number of children by age group (i.e., less than 1 year
old, 1-2 years of age, 3-5 years of age, 6-9 years of age, 10-14 years of age, 15-18
years of age, and 19-20 years of age) and by basis of Medicaid eligibility (i.e.,
categorically needy, or medically needy) who:


19 Section 1905(r) of the Social Security Act specifies that each state must develop its own
periodicity schedule for screening, vision, hearing and dental services after appropriate
consultation with medical and dental organizations involved in child health care. By law,
the CMS may not require states to use any particular periodicity schedule for the delivery
of EPSDT services under Medicaid. (For more details, see CMS, State Medicaid Manual:
Part 5: Early and Periodic Screening Diagnostic and Treatment Services, Section 5124, pp.

5-19.)


20 Personal communication with Cindy Ross, CMS, May 3, 2004.

!are eligible for EPSDT services;
!have received child health screening services;
!are referred for corrective treatment;
!have received dental services;
!are enrolled in managed care; and/or
!are screened for blood lead tests.
For purposes of reporting on this form, child health screening services are
defined as initial or periodic screens according to a state’s screening periodicity
schedule. States are instructed to report children who received a full medical screen
including a comprehensive health and developmental history; a comprehensive
unclothed physical exam; immunizations, when appropriate; laboratory tests,
including lead testing, when appropriate; and health education and anticipatory
guidance. On the current CMS Form 416, children receiving only vision screening
services and/or hearing screening services are not counted as having received a
medical screen.
Prior to FY1999, the CMS Form 416 also tracked the number of children who
received vision screens, and/or hearing screens. FY1998 was the last year vision
screening data were available from the CMS Form 416, and the last year for which
CMS 416 data are available for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In
FY1998, 21.7 million children were eligible for the EPSDT program. Of those
eligible children, 3.1 million (14.2%) received a vision screen. In that year, children
age 6 through 14 were among those most likely to receive a vision screen.21 These
data should be interpreted with caution, however, because as discussed above there
are several other Medicaid benefit categories (e.g., rural health clinic services and
physician services) where vision screening services may have been rendered.
Vision-Related Benefits under SCHIP Separate State Plans
The SCHIP statute defines child health assistance to include a wide range of
coverable benefits. As with Medicaid, some categories of service have an obvious
connection to vision-related benefits while others do not. The categories of service
that may include vision screening and corrective eye treatment are:
!inpatient hospital services;
!outpatient hospital services;
!physician services;
!surgical services;
!clinic services (including health center services) and other
ambulatory health care services;
!prescription drugs and biologicals and the administration of such
drugs and biologicals;
!over-the-counter medications;
!laboratory and radiological services;


21 CMS Form 416, Annual EPSDT Participation Report, All States, FY1998, available at
[ ht t p: / / www.cms.hhs.gov/ medi cai d/ epsdt / e p1998n.pdf ]

!durable medical equipment and other medically-related or remedial
devices (such as prosthetic devices, implants, eye glasses, and
adaptive devices);
!nursing care services (such as nurse practitioner services, nurse
midwife services, advanced practice nurse services, private duty
nursing care, pediatric nurse services, and respiratory care services)
in a home, school, or other setting;
!any other medical, diagnostic, screening, preventive, restorative,
remedial, therapeutic, or rehabilitative services (if recognized by
state law, and prescribed, furnished or supervised by a physician or
other licensed practitioner or state- or local-government operated
health care facility); and
!any other health care services or items specified by the Secretary and
not excluded under this section.
Under SCHIP separate state programs, states do not simply select among these
benefits in establishing what is and is not covered. Rather, states choose from any
of three benefit options: (1) a benchmark benefit package, (2) benchmark equivalent
coverage, or (3) any other benefits plan that the Secretary of Health and Human
Services determines will provide appropriate coverage to beneficiaries. The option
chosen determines the set of covered benefits under separate SCHIP programs.
A benchmark benefit package is one of the following three plans: (1) the
standard Blue Cross/Blue Shield preferred provider option offered under the Federal
Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP); (2) the health coverage that is offered
and generally available to state employees in the state involved; and (3) the health
coverage that is offered by a health maintenance organization (HMO) with the largest
commercial (non-Medicaid) enrollment in the state involved.
Benchmark equivalent coverage is defined as a package of benefits that has the
same actuarial value as one of the benchmark benefit packages. A state choosing to
provide benchmark equivalent coverage must cover each of the benefits in the “basic
benefits category.” The benefits in the basic benefits category are inpatient and
outpatient hospital services, physicians’ surgical and medical services, lab and x-ray
services, and well-baby and well-child care (more discussion on this requirement
below), including age-appropriate immunizations.22 Benchmark equivalent coverage
must also include at least 75% of the actuarial value of coverage under the
benchmark plan for each of the benefits in the “additional service category.” These
additional services include prescription drugs, mental health services, vision services,
and hearing services.23
SCHIP regulations define well-baby and well-child services as: (1) healthy
newborn inpatient physician visits, including routine screening including vision
screenings (whether provided on an inpatient or on an outpatient basis); (2) routine
physical examinations; (3) laboratory tests relating to their visits; (4) immunizations,
and related office visits; and (5) when covered under the state plan (at the state’s


22 Social Security Act § 2103(c)(1).
23 Social Security Act § 2103(a)(2)(C).

option) routine preventive and diagnostic dental services.24 As with Medicaid, CMS
does not require states to submit their well-baby and well-child or vision screening
periodicity schedules as a part of their SCHIP state plan, nor (except in the case of
immunizations) has CMS endorsed a specific professional standard (i.e., periodicity
schedule) for well-baby and well-child care coverage under SCHIP plans. Apart
from immunizations and dental services, CMS allows states to define well-baby and
well-child care for coverage purposes.
Finally, as with Medicaid, states may apply for Section 1115 waivers to modify
program rules that establish special programs or demonstration projects to
accommodate unique needs. Currently, 12 states have such waivers under SCHIP.
While none of these waivers specifically focus on vision-related services, like some
of the Medicaid Section 1115 waiver programs, they may provide access to such
services through redefined benefit packages, and/or provide vision-related services
for population groups that would not otherwise be covered.
Scope of Vision-Related Benefits for Children:
A Snapshot of Selected Medicaid and SCHIP
Coverage Policies in FY2000
Survey Design and Data Caveats
In 2000, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) contracted with the National
Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) to collect data from Medicaid and SCHIP
state agencies on limits placed on selected benefits for children under each program.
Two parallel survey instruments25 were developed with extensive input from state
officials; one for Medicaid programs and one for separate state SCHIP programs.
The benefits data collected from these surveys represent general program policies as
of June 2000.
For each benefit category listed on the survey, respondents indicated the amount
of each service children could receive without special permission, that is, before prior
authorization26 was required. If there was no point at which prior authorization for


24 42 C.F.R. § 457.520.
25 These surveys covered other topics in addition to benefits for children. In the Medicaid
survey, detailed data were also collected on eligibility rules and the extent and scope of
managed care activities for all Medicaid populations. The SCHIP survey covered many
other major aspects of program policy (e.g., eligibility rules, administrative services,
outreach activities, employer-sponsored insurance, healthcare marketplace, public input
methods, coordination with other state agencies, managed care policies, cost-sharing, and
crowd-out prevention). For information on results from these other survey components, go
to [http://www.nashp.org].
26 Prior authorization, also referred to as precertification or preadmission screening, means
that an entity other than a provider (e.g., state Medicaid agency, fiscal agent, or other
contractor) must approve the delivery of a specific service to a specific beneficiary or the
(continued...)

continued services was necessary, the benefit was identified as unlimited. State
officials could also indicate that limits for a specific benefit were absolute, meaning
that children could not receive more than the specified amounts even with prior
authorization.
For Medicaid, including Medicaid expansion programs under SCHIP, survey
results were reported for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For SCHIP,
survey results were reported for a total of 41 separate programs in 33 states,
representing the universe of such states and programs in June 2000. Two states
(California and New Jersey) had two SCHIP programs with different benefit plans,
and three states (Connecticut, Florida, and Massachusetts) each had three SCHIP
programs with different benefit plans.
Four service categories, all of which could include vision-related benefits such
as vision screenings, eye exams, treatment of eye diseases or visual impairments
(e.g., eye surgery or eye glasses) were included. These were well-child care (non-
EPSDT), physician services (SCHIP survey only),27 vision services, and eye glasses.
There is no direct one-to-one correspondence between any one of the four
service categories included on the surveys and a single coverable benefit listed in
Medicaid statute. Vision screening services for children under Medicaid typically
occur as a part of a well-child visit under the category of service called “diagnostic,
screening, preventive, and rehabilitative services,” or under the EPSDT benefit.28 In
addition, vision screening services rendered to a child are not always identifiable in
Medicaid claims-level data as they are often billed as a part of other well-care
screening service visits.29 Comprehensive vision exams (i.e., exams provided by an
ophthalmologist or an eye care specialist appropriately trained to treat pediatric
patients) are generally covered under the physician services category, but may also
be covered under other service categories such as EPSDT, or under the optional
benefit listed above called diagnostic, screening, preventive, and rehabilitative
services. Eye surgery and prescription drugs to treat eye diseases may be covered
under physician services, pharmacy, or outpatient hospital services. Finally,


26 (...continued)
Medicaid agency will not reimburse the provider for that service. Examples of other
common utilization controls include (1) concurrent review, which means an authorized
entity (e.g., state Medicaid agency, or a contractor) reviews services while they are being
provided to a given beneficiary; for example, hospital stays may be subject to concurrent
review when they exceed a specified length of stay, and (2) utilization review, which is a
generic term encompassing all reviews of service provision — whether they happen
prospectively, concurrently, or retrospectively.
27 The amount, duration, and scope of physician services was not captured on the Medicaid
portion of the benefits survey because coverage of physician services is mandatory under
Medicaid. When medically necessary for children, all benefits (mandatory or optional) are
essentially unlimited due to EPSDT.
28 Personal communication with Cindy Ruff, CMS, May 4, 2004.
29 The state Medicaid manual does not require states to break out vision services from other
screening services under EPSDT. Also as discussed above, the CMS Form 416 no longer
captures vision screening services separately from other screening services.

eyeglasses, and other aids to vision prescribed by a physician skilled in diseases of
the eye or an optometrist are often covered under Medicaid’s eye glasses service
category or EPSDT, but may be covered under a different benefit category
depending on the state.
Like Medicaid, SCHIP has more than one benefit category listed in statute that
would encompass vision screening services. Several could apply here (e.g., physician
services, clinic services and other ambulatory health care services, and any other
medical, diagnostic, screening, preventive, restorative, remedial, therapeutic, or
rehabilitative services).
In sum, each of the four categories of service used in the surveys likely
corresponds to multiple benefits listed in both Medicaid and SCHIP statute. This is
an important problem for the survey design because very different limits may apply
to “vision screening services,” as included on the surveys, when delivered as a
“physician service” versus a “medical, diagnostic, screening, preventive, restorative,
remedial, therapeutic, or rehabilitative service,” for example. For this reason, the
survey data are imprecise.
To further complicate the picture, both Medicaid and SCHIP programs rely on
managed care organizations (MCOs) to deliver services to most beneficiaries,
especially for children without disabilities.30 There are likely to be variations in
coverage of, and limits placed on, specific benefits across Medicaid and/or SCHIP
managed care plans in a given state. Detailed data on variations in benefit limits
specific to individual managed care contracts under each state program, which can
differ from the general criteria delineated in SCHIP state plans as reported here, were
not captured.
Also, these data date from 2000. While these survey data serve as a baseline
documenting general coverage policies in place during a strong economic period
when many states were expanding their Medicaid and SCHIP programs, states may
have changed coverage policies since that time.31 The results from the two surveys
represent general, statewide benefit limit policies for broad classifications of vision-
related services for children under each program. The importance of these survey


30 Under SCHIP, managed care is the predominant service delivery system. At the time of
the CRS-sponsored survey (June 2000), all but five SCHIP programs (AL, NC, ND, WV,
and WY) contracted with one or more managed care plans to deliver care to SCHIP children.
CA, for example, contracted with 23 comprehensive health plans.
31 Faced with declining state revenues and increasing medical care expenses, states
implemented a number of cost containment strategies for fiscal years 2003 and 2004.
According to the National Association of State Budget Officers, Medicaid and Other State
Healthcare Issues: Current Trends, June 2003, a majority of the Medicaid cutbacks focused
on containing prescription drug costs, reducing provider reimbursement rates, and
eliminating or reducing optional services and populations (e.g., eliminating coverage for
certain qualified alien children, and eliminating optional services such as dental, optometry,
and podiatry services). Under SCHIP, about one third of states implemented cost
containment measures in FY2003 or planned to do so in FY2004. Examples of such
containment strategies include capping program enrollment, increasing beneficiary cost-
sharing requirements, and reducing provider payment rates.

results lies in the identification of the different methods states use in their Medicaid
versus SCHIP programs to define the breadth of these services for children.
General Coverage Policies and Methods for Limiting Benefits
For each of the four vision-related benefit categories included in the CRS-
sponsored surveys, Tables 1 through 4 provide a summary of whether the service
is covered, and general information about service limits and monitoring activities for
Medicaid and separate SCHIP programs across states. The general coverage policies
and methods for limiting benefits are summarized below. Appendices A through
D provide information on the specific limits and monitoring activities identified by
states for their Medicaid and SCHIP programs (when applicable) as of June 2000.
Well-Child (non-EPSDT) Services. As of June 2000, 11 out of 51
Medicaid programs did not cover well-child services outside of EPSDT. By contrast,
all 33 states covered well-child services for children in at least one of their SCHIP
programs (only Connecticut-B and Connecticut-C did not cover this benefit under
SCHIP).32 This difference is likely due to the fact that under Medicaid, states cover
well-child care and screening services under the mandatory EPSDT benefit instead.
Under Medicaid, and SCHIP, approximately two-thirds of the programs reported that
well-child care services for children were unlimited (see Table 1).
Under SCHIP, of the eight programs with specified limits and/or monitoring of
well-child services, three programs (Arizona, California-A, and California-B)
reported that the amount, duration, and scope of those services varies by MCO. Four
of the five remaining programs (Alabama, North Carolina, North Dakota, and West
Virginia) reported that the well-child visits follow AAP guidelines, and/or the state-
specific periodicity schedule. Under four SCHIP programs (Connecticut-A, Indiana,
Mississippi, and New York), well-child quantity limits were not specified (see
Appendix A).


32 The state’s separate child health program (CT-B) covers uninsured children whose family
income is at or below 300 % of the federal poverty level. Children with special needs who
are eligible for the wrap-around services offered in (CT-C) receive medically necessary
services under (CT-A).

Table 1. Coverage of, and Limits for Monitoring of Well-Child
(Non-EPSDT) for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP
(as of June 2000)
Medicaid (51 programs in 50
states and DC)
SCH IP
Program classifications (41 programs in 33 states)CN onlyCN + MN
Programs that do not coverNOTE: Under Medicaid, all2 — CT-B, and CT-C
well-child (non-EPSDT)states cover well-child care and
servicesscreening services under the
mandatory EPSDT benefit. The
states listed below chose not to
cover well-child care and
screening services outside of
EPSDT as well.
3 — AL, MS,8 — FL, LA,
and WYMA, NC, OK,
TX, VA, and
WA
Programs with unlimited10 — AK,24 — AR, CA,27 — CO, DE, FL-A, FL-B,
well-child (non-EPSDT)CO, DE, IN,CT, DC, GA,FL-C, IA, IL, KS, KY, MA-
servicesMO, NM,HI, IA, KS,A, MA-B, MA-C, ME, MI,
NV, OR, SC,KY, MD, ME,MT, NH, NJ-A, NJ-B, NV,
and SDMI, MN, MT,OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, VT,
ND, NE, NH,WA, and WY
NJ, NY, PA,
RI, VT, WI,
and WV
Programs with specified3 — AZ, ID,3 — IL, TN,8 — AL, AZ, CA-A, CA-B,
limits and/or monitoring ofand OHand UTGA, NC, ND, and WV
well-child (non-EPSDT)
services
Programs for which limits004 — CT-A, IN, MS, and
were not specifiedNY
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS) analysis of benefits data collected in two 2000
surveys, one for state Medicaid programs and the other for separate state SCHIP programs, conducted
by the National Academy for State Health Policy under contract to CRS.
Notes: State abbreviations are used in this table. In the Medicaid column, the subcolumn labeled “CN
only”means that coverage, limitations and monitoring of vision services apply only to beneficiaries
classified as categorically needy, and the subcolumn labeled “CN+MN” means that coverage,
limitations and monitoring of such services apply to both categorically needy and medically needy
beneficiaries.
As of Oct. 2000, 36 states had medically needy programs that covered at least some groups under
Medicaid. These 36 states may be shown in either the “CN only” or the “CN+MN” subcolumns,
depending on benefit coverage policies for categorically needy versus medically needy beneficiaries.
Those states without medically needy programs were Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, Colorado,
Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, South
Dakota, and Wyoming. These 15 states are always listed in the “CN only” subcolumn. In the SCHIP
column, 28 states had a single separate SCHIP program represented by the state abbreviation. The
remaining five states with separate SCHIP programs each had more than one such program with



different benefit plans. Two states (California and New Jersey) each had two separate SCHIP
programs. In this case, an A or B extension was added to the state abbreviation to distinguish these
programs (e.g., California-A, California-B). Three states (Connecticut, Florida, and Massachusetts)
each had three separate SCHIP programs. In this case, an A, B, or C extension was added to the state
abbreviation to distinguish these multiple programs (e.g., Connecticut-A, Connecticut-B, Connecticut-
C) .
Physician Services. States were not required to report the amount, duration,
and scope of physician services on the Medicaid benefits survey because coverage
of physician services is mandatory under Medicaid. When medically necessary for
children, all benefits (mandatory or optional) are essentially unlimited due to EPSDT.
Under SCHIP, most programs (40 of 41 programs) covered physician services for
children (see Table 2).33 States were not required to report quantity limits for
physician services as the types of physicians covered under this benefit are diverse
(e.g., dentists, ophthalmologists, and various physician specialists), and SCHIP
programs generally allow for coverage that is within the scope of practice within each
given discipline (see Appendix B).
Table 2. Coverage of, and Limits for Monitoring of Physician
Services for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP
(as of June 2000)
Medicaid (51 programs inSCHIP (41 programs
Program classifications50 states and DC)in 33 states)
Programs that do not coverService not included in the1 — CT-C*
physician servicesMedicaid survey (see note)
Programs with unlimited0
physician services
Programs with specified limits0
and/or monitoring of physician
services
Programs for which limitsStates were not required to
were not specifiedreport quantity limits for
physician services (see note)
40 — AL, AZ, CA-A, CA-B,
CO, CT-A, CT-B, DE, FL-A,
FL-B, FL-C, GA, IA, IL, IN,
KS, KY, MA-A, MA-B, MA-C,
ME, MI, MS, MT, NC, ND, NJ-**
A, NJ-B, NH, NV, NY, OR,
PA, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV,
and WY


33 The survey data indicated that NJ-B’s separate state program did not cover physician
services, however conversations with individuals responsible for administering the CRS-
sponsored benefit survey at the National Academy for State Health Policy agreed that this
survey response was likely a result of reporting error. NJ’s separate state program, NJ-B,
offers FEHBP-equivalent coverage, and physician services are included in the FEHBP
benefit package.

Source: CRS analysis of benefits data collected in two 2000 surveys, one for state Medicaid programs
and the other for separate state SCHIP programs, conducted by the National Academy for State Health
Policy under contract to CRS.
Notes: The amount, duration, and scope of physician services was not captured on the Medicaid
benefits survey because coverage of physician services is mandatory under Medicaid. When medically
necessary for children, all benefits (mandatory or optional) are essentially unlimited due to EPSDT.
On the SCHIP benefits survey, states were only asked to report covered/not covered for their coverage
of physician services. States were not required to report quantity limits for physician services as the
types of physicians covered under this benefit are diverse (e.g., dentists, ophthalmologists, and general
practitioners), and the programs generally allow for coverage that is within the scope of practice within
each given discipline. In the SCHIP column, 28 states had a single separate SCHIP program
represented by the state abbreviation. The remaining five states with separate SCHIP programs each
had more than one such program with different benefit plans. Two states (California and New Jersey)
each had two separate SCHIP programs. In this case, an A or B extension was added to the state
abbreviation to distinguish these programs (e.g., California-A, California-B). Three states
(Connecticut, Florida, and Massachusetts) each had three separate SCHIP programs. In this case, an
A, B, or C extension was added to the state abbreviation to distinguish these multiple programs (e.g.,
Connecticut-A, Connecticut-B, Connecticut-C).
* The Connecticut-C benefit package provides additional “wrap around” services for children with
special health care needs. Children who are eligible for (Connecticut-C) receive medically
necessary services under (Connecticut-A).
** See footnote number 33.
Vision Services. As of June 2000, all Medicaid programs covered vision
services for children as did nearly all SCHIP programs (except California-B,
Connecticut-B, Connecticut-C, and Michigan). More Medicaid than SCHIP
programs reported that vision services for children were unlimited (39% as compared
to 32%). Fifty-one percent of Medicaid programs reported specified limits and/or
monitoring of their vision services coverage, compared to 46% of SCHIP programs.
Under both Medicaid and SCHIP, there were five programs where vision services
limits existed, but were not specified (see Table 3).
For this survey item, states reported quantity limits for all types of vision-related
services including eye glasses, frames, and contact lenses; vision screenings; eye
exams; and orthopic training. With respect to specified limits on vision services
under Medicaid, four programs (Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Wisconsin)
reported using prior authorization as their only method of limiting access to service
use. One additional program (New York) specified further quantity limits (i.e., one
visit every two years) in addition to their prior authorization requirement. A majority
of the Medicaid programs (26 of 51 programs) reported a specific quantity limit such
as: “one exam every two years,” or “two exams plus follow up without prior
authorization.” In some cases quantity limits were specified for more than one type
of vision-related service (e.g., eye exams and prescription lenses). Four Medicaid
programs (Hawaii, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania) referred to a vision
screening periodicity schedule — in three cases their EPSDT periodicity schedule —
to identify limits on their vision-related benefits. Finally, in three Medicaid programs
(Arizona, Delaware, and Tennessee), the states reported provider limitations for their
vision-related benefits (i.e., the service coverage varies by MCO).



Under SCHIP, many states reported quantity limits in their separate state
programs for all types of vision-related services including eye glasses, frames, and
contact lenses; vision screenings; and eye exams. In general, the types of quantity
limits placed on vision-related services under SCHIP were similar to those under
Medicaid. In almost half the programs, (19 of 41 programs), states reported a
specific quantity limit such as “one exam per calendar year,” or “refractions limited
to one per year.” Several programs (California-A, Iowa, and Massachusetts-B)
reported that their coverage of vision-related services varies by MCO. In one
program (Utah), the state limited its vision-related benefit to a dollar-based limit, and
in one program (Maine) prior authorization was required to access services. Unlike
under Medicaid, states did not report vision-related periodicity schedules as limits for
their vision service coverage (see Appendix C).
Table 3. Coverage of, and Limits for Monitoring of, Vision
Services for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP
(as of June 2000)
Medicaid (51 programs in 50
states and DC)
SCHIP (41 programs in 33
Program classificationsstates)CN onlyCN + MN
Programs that do not cover004 CA-B, CT-B, CT-C, and
vision servicesMI
Programs with unlimited7 — AK, CO,13 — CA, CT,13 — CO, DE, FL-A, FL-B,
vision servicesNV, OR, RI,DC, FL, IL, KS,FL-C, IL, KS, KY, MA-A,
SD, and WYLA, MI, TX,MA-C, MT, NV, and WY
UT, VT, WA,
and WV
Programs with specified9 — AL, DE,17 — AR, GA,19 AL, AZ, CA-A, GA, IA,
limits and/or monitoring ofID, IN, MO,HI, IA, KY,ME, NC, ND, NH, NJ-A, NJ-
vision servicesMS, NM, OH,MD, ME, MT,B, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, VT,
and SCNC, ND, NE,WA, and WV
NH, NY, OK,
PA, VA, and
WI
Programs for which limits1 AZ4 MA, MN,5 — CT-A, IN, MA-B, MS,
were not specifiedNJ, and TNand NY
Source: CRS analysis of benefits data collected in two 2000 surveys, one for state Medicaid programs
and the other for separate state SCHIP programs, conducted by the National Academy for State Health
Policy under contract to CRS.
Notes: State abbreviations are used in this table. In the Medicaid column, the subcolumn labeled “CN
only” means that coverage, limitations, and monitoring of vision services apply only to beneficiaries
classified as categorically needy, and the subcolumn labeled “CN+MN” means that coverage,
limitations, and monitoring of such services apply to both categorically needy and medically needy
beneficiaries.
As of Oct. 2000, 36 states had medically needy programs that covered at least some groups
under Medicaid. These 36 states may be shown in either the “CN Only” or the “CN + MN”
subcolumns, depending on benefit coverage policies for categorically needy versus medically needy
beneficiaries. Those states without medically needy programs were Alaska, Alabama, Arizona,



Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, South
Carolina, South Dakota, and Wyoming. These 15 states are always listed in the “CN Only
subcolumn.
In the SCHIP column, 28 states had a single separate SCHIP program represented by the state
abbreviation. The remaining five states with separate SCHIP programs each had more than one such
program with different benefit plans. Two states (California and New Jersey) each had two separate
SCHIP programs. In this case, an A or B extension was added to the state abbreviation to distinguish
these programs (e.g., California-A, California-B). Three states (Connecticut, Florida, and
Massachusetts) each had three separate SCHIP programs. In this case, an A, B, or C extension was
added to the state abbreviation to distinguish these multiple programs (e.g., Connecticut-A,
Connecticut-B, Connecticut-C).
Eye Glasses. As of June 2000, only one Medicaid program (Delaware) did
not cover eye glasses for their beneficiaries; however, this program is required to
provide coverage of eye glasses under their EPSDT benefit. By contrast, six SCHIP
programs (Calfornia-B, Connecticut-B, Connecticut-C, Florida-B, New York, and
Utah) did not cover eye glasses. Roughly 26% of Medicaid and 22% of SCHIP
programs indicated that their eye glasses benefit was unlimited. An additional 69%
of Medicaid programs identified limitations on this benefit, compared to
approximately 56% of SCHIP programs (see Table 4).
Under Medicaid, 68% (35 programs) of all programs set a single overall
quantity limit, usually expressed in terms of pair(s) of eye glasses per year(s). Of
these programs, several indicated that they would provide an initial pair of eye
glasses, but subsequent repairs/replacements would require prior authorization. In
eight of the 35 programs with specified quantity limits on eye glasses, additional
corrective lenses were available only based upon beneficiary diagnosis and/or
condition (e.g., one pair per year unless prescription changes 0.75 diopters,34 or axis
changes of 15 degrees). Some programs also indicated that eye glasses could be
replaced if lost or broken. In four programs (Georgia, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and
Tennessee) prior authorization was required to access eye glasses.
Under SCHIP, the specified benefit limits were similar to those under Medicaid.
A majority of the programs set a single overall quantity limit, usually expressed in
terms of pair(s) of eye glasses per year(s). As under Medicaid, several programs
indicated that they would provide an initial pair of corrective lenses, but repairs or
replacement would require prior authorization. One major difference between the
Medicaid and SCHIP coverage limitations was the use of dollar-based limitations
under SCHIP. In five programs (Colorado, Connecticut-A, Iowa, North Dakota, and
West Virginia) the states set a dollar-based maximum limit for eyeglasses during a
given benefit period (see Appendix D).


34 A diopter is a unit of measure used by eye care specialists to measure the refractive power
of a lense whose focal length is one meter.

Table 4. Coverage of, and Limits for Monitoring of, Eye Glasses
for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)
Medicaid (51 programs in 50
states and DC)
SCHIP (41 programs
Program classificationsin 33 states)CN onlyCN + MN
Programs that do not cover1 DE06 CA-B, CT-B, CT-C,
eye glassesFL-B, NY, and UT
Programs with unlimited6 — AK, CO,7 — IL, KS, MA,9 — DE, FL-C, IL, MA-A,
eye glasses coverageNV, OR, RI,MN, PA, TX, andMA-C, NJ-A, NV, OR, and
and SDWVWY
Programs with specified8 — AL, ID,27 — AR, CA,23 AL, AZ, CA-A, CO,
limits and/or monitoring ofIN, MO, MS,DC, FL, GA, HI,CT-A, FL-A, GA, IA, KY,
eye glassesOH, SC, andIA, KY, LA, MD,ME, MI, MS, MT, NC, ND,
WYME, MI, MT, NC,NH, NJ-B, PA, TX, VA,
ND, NE, NH, NJ,VT, WA, and WV
NM, NY, OK, TN,
UT, VA, VT, WA,
and WI
Programs for which limits1 — AZ1 — CT3 — IN, KS, and MA-B
on eye glasses were not
sp ecified
Source: CRS analysis of benefits data collected in two 2000 surveys, one for state Medicaid programs
and the other for separate state SCHIP programs, conducted by the National Academy for State Health
Policy under contract to CRS.
Notes: State abbreviations are used in this table. In the Medicaid column, the subcolumn labeled CN
only” means that coverage, limitations and monitoring of vision services apply only to beneficiaries
classified as categorically needy, and the subcolumn labeled “CN + MN” means that coverage,
limitations and monitoring of such services apply to both categorically needy and medically needy
beneficiaries.
As of Oct. 2000, 36 states had medically needy programs that covered at least some groups
under Medicaid. These 36 states may be shown in either the “CN Only or the “CN + MN”
subcolumns, depending on benefit coverage policies for categorically needy versus medically needy
beneficiaries. Those states WITHOUT medically needy programs were Alaska, Alabama, Arizona,
Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, South
Carolina, South Dakota, and Wyoming. These 15 states are always listed in the “CN Only
subcolumn.
In the SCHIP column, 28 states had a single separate SCHIP program represented by the state
abbreviation. The remaining five states with separate SCHIP programs each had more than one such
program with different benefit plans. Two states (California and New Jersey) each had two separate
SCHIP programs. In this case, an A or B extension was added to the state abbreviation to distinguish
these programs (e.g., California-A, California-B). Three states (Connecticut, Florida, and
Massachusetts) each had three separate SCHIP programs. In this case, an A, B, or C extension was
added to the state abbreviation to distinguish these multiple programs (e.g., Connecticut-A,
Connecticut-B, Connecticut-C).
The Nature of Benefit Limits for Children under Medicaid and
SCHIP. It is important to note that comparing quantity limits under Medicaid and
SCHIP must be done with care because the term “limits” does not have the same



meaning across these two programs. For example, state Medicaid plans may indicate
that children are limited to one eye exam per year. But children who need more than
one such visit in a year can obtain additional visits, as long as the provider of care
demonstrates the medical necessity for more visits. Stated limits on benefits under
Medicaid reflect what providers can generally expect to be paid for in the absence of
official clearance for more services, rather than absolute limits on what beneficiaries
may receive, although additional conditions governing provider reimbursement (e.g.,
prior authorization) may effectively alter receipt of services. In addition, as noted
above, when medically necessary for children, all benefits (mandatory or optional)
are essentially unlimited due to EPSDT. By contrast, separate SCHIP programs are
modeled after private sector, commercial insurance products. Under commercial
insurance products, benefits are always limited by medical necessity, but other limits
may apply as well. For this reason, under SCHIP quality limits are sometimes more
restrictive.
Conclusion
A small but significant proportion of children have visual impairments. When
detected early, many childhood vision abnormalities are treatable, but the potential
for correction and normal visual development diminishes with age. Medicaid and
SCHIP provide access to an array of vision-related services including screening that
can help children in low- to moderate-income families overcome these difficulties.
Medicaid’s mandatory EPSDT benefit ensures access to vision screening
services for children. Under EPSDT, state-specific periodicity schedules for vision
screening services are often in accordance with the AAP recommendations.
However, CMS does not require states to summit such schedules as a part of their
state plans for approval. In addition, in FY1998, the last year in which data on vision
screening services under EPSDT were collected, just over 14% of EPSDT-eligible
children received a vision screen. This measure is somewhat misleading, however,
because there are several other Medicaid benefit categories (e.g., well-child care, and
physician services) where vision screening services may be delivered. Often such
services are billed as a part of a well-child visit.
Under SCHIP, state-specific benefit packages must provide well-baby and well-
child care, which includes a vision screening component. Like Medicaid, CMS does
not require states to submit their well-baby and well-child or vision screening
periodicity schedules as a part of their SCHIP state plan, nor (except in the case of
immunizations) has CMS endorsed a specific professional standard (i.e., periodicity
schedules) for well-baby and well-child care coverage under SCHIP plans. As with
Medicaid, the well-child coverage requirement is not the only service category where
children could receive vision screening under SCHIP. Children may also receive
vision screening services under other SCHIP covered services such as physician
services and other medical, diagnostic, screening, preventive, restorative, remedial,
therapeutic, or rehabilitative services.
A June 2000 CRS benefits survey gives us some clues about access to vision
screening services under SCHIP Medicaid expansion programs and separate state



programs. At that time, nearly all Medicaid and SCHIP programs covered vision
services (e.g., vision screenings, eye exams, treatment of eye diseases or visual
impairments such as eye surgery or eye glasses) for children, and most also covered
eye glasses, either as a part of their eye glass coverage or as a part of their vision
services. Except in a few states where vision-benefit limits under SCHIP were
defined in terms of the AAP or state-specific periodicity schedule, these survey data
do not answer the question “how many screenings are covered and at what ages do
the screenings occur?” However, the survey data do indicate that the breadth of
vision-related benefits available under these two programs likely differs within and
across states.
Coverage policies and benefit limits for the lowest-income children as described
in state Medicaid plans are seldom absolute because of EPSDT. For nearly all
Medicaid children, states are required to provide all federally-allowed treatment to
correct identified problems, even if the specific treatment needed is not otherwise
covered under a state’s Medicaid plan. As a result, when a Medicaid agency reports
that a specific benefit is not covered for children, that means the service is available
only when delivery of that service meets the EPSDT requirement. In these
circumstances, providers typically go through a prior authorization process to receive
payment for what are sometimes called “EPSDT extended benefits.”
Services for higher-income children under SCHIP are sometimes more
restrictive. Unlike Medicaid, but consistent with federal statute, separate SCHIP
programs are modeled after private sector, commercial insurance products. The
requirement to use benchmark plans (or actuarial equivalents of those plans), most
of which are state employee health plans or commercial HMO plans, provides the
framework for defining benefit limits. Under commercial insurance products,
benefits are always limited by medical necessity, but other limits may apply and will
vary by insurance product, as do procedures to monitor for medical need and
appropriateness. Payments to providers participating in these plans may be altered
based on the outcome of such service utilization reviews, which can in turn affect
access to care.



CRS-23
Appendix A. Specified Limits and/or Monitoring of Well-Child (Non-EPSDT) Services for Children
under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Coveredservice, orProvider, service or
sgroupsGeneral quantity limitscondition limitsProgramsGeneral quantity limitscondition limits
CN onlyUNLIMITEDAKN/A
NOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*ALFollow AAP guidelines
CN + MNUNLIMITEDARN/A
iki/CRS-RL32628CN onlyVaries by MCO;no FFSAZNOT REPORTEDVaries by MCO
g/w
s.orCN + MNCA-ANOT REPORTEDVaries by MCO
leak UNLIMIT ED
CA-BNOT REPORTEDVaries by MCO
://wiki
httpCN onlyUNLIMITEDCOUNLIMITED
CN + MNCT-ANOT REPORTED
UNLIMITEDCT-BNOT COVERED
CT-CNOT COVERED
CN + MNUNLIMITEDDCN/A



CRS-24
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Coveredservice, orProvider, service or
sgroupsGeneral quantity limitscondition limitsProgramsGeneral quantity limitscondition limits
CN onlyUNLIMITEDDEUNLIMITED
FL-A UNLIMIT ED
NOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*FL-BUNLIMITED
FL-C UNLIMIT ED
CN + MNUNLIMITEDGASome services covered, some
limitatio ns.
iki/CRS-RL32628CN + MNUNLIMITEDHIN/A
g/w
s.orCN + MNUNLIMITEDIAUNLIMITED
leak
CN onlyAAP recommended periodicity IDN/A
://wiki
httpCN + MNAll well-child visits areconsidered EPSDTILUNLIMITED
CN onlyUNLIMITEDINNOT REPORTED
CN + MN UNLIMITEDKSUNLIMITED
CN + MN UNLIMITEDKYUNLIMITED
NOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*LAN/A
MA-A UNLIMIT ED
NOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*MA-BUNLIMITED
MA-C UNLIMIT ED



CRS-25
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Coveredservice, orProvider, service or
sgroupsGeneral quantity limitscondition limitsProgramsGeneral quantity limitscondition limits
CN + MN UNLIMITEDMDN/A
CN + MN UNLIMITEDMEUNLIMITED
CN + MN UNLIMITEDMIUNLIMITED
CN + MN UNLIMITEDMNN/A
CN onlyUNLIMITEDMON/A
iki/CRS-RL32628NOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*MSNOT REPORTED
g/wCN + MN UNLIMITEDMTUNLIMITED
s.or
leakNCthree visits per year for children
ages 1-3, one visit per year ages
://wikiNOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*4-7. one visit every three years
httpages 7-19
CN + MN ND0-12 months-seven visits, 13-24
UNLIMITEDmonths-three visits, 25 months-18
years-one per benefit period
CN + MN UNLIMITEDNEN/A
CN + MN UNLIMITEDNHUNLIMITED
NJ -A UNLIMIT ED
UNLIMIT ED NJ -B
UNLIMIT ED
CN onlyUNLIMITEDNMN/A



CRS-26
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Coveredservice, orProvider, service or
sgroupsGeneral quantity limitscondition limitsProgramsGeneral quantity limitscondition limits
CN onlyUNLIMITEDNVUNLIMITED
CN + MN UNLIMITEDNYNOT REPORTED
CN only24 physician visits per yearOHN/A
NOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*OKN/A
CN onlyUNLIMITEDORUNLIMITED
iki/CRS-RL32628CN + MN UNLIMITEDPAUNLIMITED
g/wCN + MN UNLIMITEDRIN/A
s.or
leakCN onlyUNLIMITEDSCN/A
://wikiCN onlyUNLIMITEDSDN/A
httpCN + MN per EPSDT guidelinessubject to MCOTN
approval N/A
NOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*TXUNLIMITED
CN + MN not more than one/dayUTUNLIMITED
NOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*VAUNLIMITED
CN + MN UNLIMITEDVTUNLIMITED
ANOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*WAUNLIMITED
ICN + MN UNLIMITEDWIN/A
VCN + MN UNLIMITEDWVFollow AAP schedule



CRS-27
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Coveredservice, orProvider, service or
sgroupsGeneral quantity limitscondition limitsProgramsGeneral quantity limitscondition limits
YNOT COVERED OUTSIDE OF EPSDT*WYUNLIMITED
CRS analysis of benefits data collected in two 2000 surveys, one for state Medicaid programs and the other for separate state SCHIP programs, conducted by the National
y for State Health Policy under contract to CRS.
In the two “Programs columns (one for Medicaid and one for SCHIP), state abbreviations are used. For SCHIP, 28 states had a single separate SCHIP program represented
e state abbreviation. The remaining five states with separate SCHIP programs each had two or three such programs with different benefit plans. In this case, an A, B, or C extension
dded to the state abbreviation (e.g., Connecticut-A, Connecticut-B, Connecticut-C) to distinguish multiple programs as needed.
iki/CRS-RL32628e “Covered groups” column for Medicaid, “CN only” means this benefit is covered for categorically needy beneficiaries only, andCN + MN “ means this benefit is covered for
g/w categorically needy and medically needy beneficiaries.
s.or
leake SCHIP columns, N/A means that the state had no separate SCHIP program at the time of the survey, and thus, coverage of this benefit is not applicable.
://wikider Medicaid, all states cover well-child care and screening services under the mandatory EPSDT benefit. These states chose not to cover well-child care and screening servicesoutside of EPSDT as well.
http
inition of other terms (in alphabetical order):
P — American Academy of Pediatrics
— Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Program
fo r -ser vice
O managed care organization



Appendix B. Specified Limits and/or Monitoring of Physician
Services for Children under Medicaid and SCHIP
(as of June 2000)
M e dica id SCH IP
Service not included in the
ProgramsMedicaid survey (see note)ProgramsGeneral quantity limits
AK AK N / A
ALALNOT REPORTED*
AR AR N / A
AZAZNOT REPORTED*
CACA-ANOT REPORTED*
CA-BNOT REPORTED*
COCONOT REPORTED*
CTCT-ANOT REPORTED*
CT-BNOT REPORTED*
CT-CNOT COVERED*
DC DC N/A
DEDENOT REPORTED*
FLFL-ANOT REPORTED*
FL-BNOT REPORTED*
FL-CNOT REPORTED*
GAGANOT REPORTED*
HI HI N/A
IAIANOT REPORTED*
ID ID N/A
ILILNOT REPORTED*
ININNOT REPORTED*
KSKSNOT REPORTED*
KYKYNOT REPORTED*
LA LA N / A
MAMA-ANOT REPORTED*
MA-BNOT REPORTED*
MA-CNOT REPORTED*



M e dica id SCH IP
Service not included in the
ProgramsMedicaid survey (see note)ProgramsGeneral quantity limits
MD MD N/A
MEMENOT REPORTED*
MIMINOT REPORTED*
MN MN N/A
MOMONOT COVERED
MSMSNOT REPORTED*
MTMTNOT REPORTED*
NCNCNOT REPORTED*
NDNDNOT REPORTED*
NE NE N/A
NHNHNOT REPORTED*
NJNJ-ANOT REPORTED*
NJ-BNOT REPORTED*, **
NM NM N/A
NVNVNOT REPORTED*
NYNYNOT REPORTED*
OH OH N/A
OK OK N/A
ORORNOT REPORTED*
PAPANOT REPORTED*
RI RI N / A
SC SC N/A
SD SD N/A
TN TN N/A
TXTXNOT REPORTED*
UTUTNOT REPORTED*
VAVANOT REPORTED*
VTVTNOT REPORTED*
WAWANOT REPORTED*
WI WI N/A



M e dica id SCH IP
Service not included in the
ProgramsMedicaid survey (see note)ProgramsGeneral quantity limits
WVWVNOT REPORTED*
WYWYNOT REPORTED*
Source: CRS analysis of benefits data collected in two 2000 surveys, one for state Medicaid programs
and the other for separate state SCHIP programs, conducted by the National Academy for State Health
Policy under contract to CRS.
Notes: In the two “Programs columns (one for Medicaid and one for SCHIP), state abbreviations
are used. For SCHIP, 28 states had a single separate SCHIP program represented by the state
abbreviation. The remaining five states with separate SCHIP programs each had two or three such
programs with different benefit plans. In this case, an A, B, or C extension was added to the state
abbreviation (e.g., Connecticut-A, Connecticut-B, Connecticut-C) to distinguish multiple programs
as needed.
The amount, duration, and scope of physician services was not captured on the Medicaid benefits
survey because coverage of physician services is mandatory under Medicaid. When medically
necessary for children, all benefits (mandatory or optional) are essentially unlimited due to EPSDT.
* On the SCHIP benefits survey, states were only asked to report covered/not covered for their
coverage of physician services. States were not required to report quantity limits for physician
services as the types of physicians covered under this benefit are diverse (e.g., dentists,
ophthalmologists, and general practitioners), and the programs generally allow for coverage that
is within the scope of practice within each given discipline.
Under the SCHIP columns, N/A means that the state had no separate SCHIP program at the time of
the survey, and thus, coverage of this benefit is not applicable.
** The survey data indicated that NJ-Bs separate state program did not cover physician services,
however conversations with individuals responsible for administering the CRS-sponsored
benefit survey at the National Academy for State Health Policy agreed that this survey response
was likely a result of reporting error. New Jerseys separate state program, NJ-B, offers
FEHBP-equivalent coverage, and physician services are included in the FEHBP benefit
package.



CRS-31
Appendix C. Specified Limits and/or Monitoring of Vision Services for Children
under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)
Medicaid SCH IP
Requires PAProvider,
or otherGeneralservice, orRequires PA orGeneral quantityProvider, service
sCovered groupsreviewquantity limitscondition limitsProgramsother reviewlimitsor condition limits
CN onlyUNLIMITEDAKN/A
CN onlyone eye examALone exam each
every two years calendar year
— more if
me d ically
iki/CRS-RL32628 necessary
g/w
s.orCN + MN one exam per 12monthsARN/A
leak
://wikiCN onlyVaries by MCO;no FFSAZExams forprescription lenses
httplimited to one visit
per year
CN + MN CA-Aone exam and pairVaries by MCO
of eye glasses per
UNLIMIT ED year
CA-BNOT COVERED
CN onlyUNLIMITEDCOUNLIMITED
CN + MN CT-ANOT REPORTED
UNLIMITEDCT-BNOT COVERED
CT-CNOT COVERED



CRS-32
Medicaid SCH IP
Requires PAProvider,
or otherGeneralservice, orRequires PA orGeneral quantityProvider, service
sCovered groupsreviewquantity limitscondition limitsProgramsother reviewlimitsor condition limits
CN + MNUNLIMITEDDCN/A
CN onlyone per yearCovered in MCDEUNLIMITED
only
CN + MNFL-AUNLIMITED
UNLIMIT ED FL-B UNLIMIT ED
FL-C UNLIMIT ED
iki/CRS-RL32628CN + MNone per yearGAone visit per year
g/w
s.orCN + MN one refraction perHI
leakyear — screens
per EPSDTN/A
://wiki periodicity
http sc he d ule
CN + MNone pair per twoIArefractions limitedVaries by MCO
yearsto one per year
CN onlyone vision checkIDN/A
per year
CN + MNUNLIMITEDILUNLIMITED
CN onlyone exam perINNOT REPORTED
year
CN + MN UNLIMITEDKSUNLIMITED



CRS-33
Medicaid SCH IP
Requires PAProvider,
or otherGeneralservice, orRequires PA orGeneral quantityProvider, service
sCovered groupsreviewquantity limitscondition limitsProgramsother reviewlimitsor condition limits
CN + MN two exams plusKY
follow up withoutUNLIMITED
PA
CN + MN UNLIMITEDLAN/A
CN + MN MA-AUNLIMITED
NOT REPORTEDMA-Bvaries by MCO
iki/CRS-RL32628 MA-C UNLIMIT ED
g/wCN + MN one per yearMDN/A
s.or
leakCN + MNPA required forMEPA required for
some servicesxsome services like
://wikixlike low visionlow vision aids
http aids
CN + MNUNLIMITEDMInot covered
CN + MNxMNN/A
CN onlyone eye exam perMON/A
year
CN onlyone eye exam perMSNOT REPORTED
year
CN + MN one eye exam perMTUNLIMITED
year
CN + MN one refraction perNCone exam per 12
year without PAmonths



CRS-34
Medicaid SCH IP
Requires PAProvider,
or otherGeneralservice, orRequires PA orGeneral quantityProvider, service
sCovered groupsreviewquantity limitscondition limitsProgramsother reviewlimitsor condition limits
CN + MN < age 21, oneNDone exam every 12
exam per yearmonths
CN + MN one exam perNE
year; more if
need to determineN/A
presence
susp ected
condition
iki/CRS-RL32628CN + MNone refraction perNHone routine exam
g/wstate fiscal yearevery 24 months
s.or
leakCN + MNNJ-Aone eye exam peryear
://wikixNJ-Bone eye exam per
http year
CN onlyexams perNM
EP SDT N/A
gui d e l i ne s
CN onlyUNLIMITEDNVUNLIMITED
CN + MN one visit per twoNYnot specified


years (refraction)
x
contacts, tinted
lenses, and
orthopic training
require PA

CRS-35
Medicaid SCH IP
Requires PAProvider,
or otherGeneralservice, orRequires PA orGeneral quantityProvider, service
sCovered groupsreviewquantity limitscondition limitsProgramsother reviewlimitsor condition limits
CN onlyone exam, frame,OH
and lenses per 12-N/A
month period
CN + MNper EPSDTOKN/A
gui d e l i ne s
CN onlyUNLIMITEDORone per year
CN + MNChildren ages 3-PAone exam per year
iki/CRS-RL326286 are eligible for
g/wone eye exam per
s.oryear. Children
leakover age 6 areeligible for eye
://wikiexam during their8th, 10th, 12th, 14th,
http16th, 18th, and 20th
year.
Unlimited
eyeglass repair or
replacement of
lost or stolen
gla sse s
CN onlyUNLIMITEDRIN/A



CRS-36
Medicaid SCH IP
Requires PAProvider,
or otherGeneralservice, orRequires PA orGeneral quantityProvider, service
sCovered groupsreviewquantity limitscondition limitsProgramsother reviewlimitsor condition limits
CN onlyone exam perSC
year, one
additional visit ifN/A
one-half diopter
change during
year
CN onlyUNLIMITEDSDN/A
CN + MN varies byNo FFSTNN/A
iki/CRS-RL32628 MCO
g/w
s.orCN + MN TXone exam per 12
leakmonths forcorrective lenses.
://wikiUNLIMITEDOne pair non-
httpprosthetic eye
wear per 12
mo nt hs.
CN + MNUNLIMITEDUT$30 maximum
limit
CN + MNone visit per yearVAone exam every
without PAtwo years
CN + MNVTone
UNLIMITEDcomprehensiveand interim exam
every 12 months



CRS-37
Medicaid SCH IP
Requires PAProvider,
or otherGeneralservice, orRequires PA orGeneral quantityProvider, service
sCovered groupsreviewquantity limitscondition limitsProgramsother reviewlimitsor condition limits
CN + MNWAxone exam per year,
UNLIMITEDmore frequently if
problem
ICN + MNx — allWI
contacts,
special lensesN/A
frames must
have PA
iki/CRS-RL32628VCN + MN UNLIMITEDWVannual exam
g/w
s.orCN onlyUNLIMITEDWYUNLIMITED
leak
CRS analysis of benefits data collected in two 2000 surveys, one for state Medicaid programs and the other for separate state SCHIP programs, conducted by the National
://wikiy for State Health Policy under contract to CRS.
http
In the two “Programs columns (one for Medicaid and one for SCHIP), state abbreviations are used. For SCHIP, 28 states had a single separate SCHIP program represented
e state abbreviation. The remaining five states with separate SCHIP programs each had two or three such programs with different benefit plans. In this case, an A, B, or C
nsion was added to the state abbreviation (e.g., CT-A, CT-B, CT-C) to distinguish multiple programs as needed. In theCovered groups” column for Medicaid, “CN only” means
benefit is covered for categorically needy beneficiaries only, and “CN + MN “ means this benefit is covered for both categorically needy and medically needy beneficiaries.
e SCHIP columns, N/A means that the state had no separate SCHIP program at the time of the survey, and thus, coverage of this benefit is not applicable.
inition of other terms (in alphabetical order):
— Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Program
fo r -ser vice
managed care
O managed care organization
rior authorization



CRS-38
Appendix D. Specified Limits and/or Monitoring of Eye Glasses for Children
under Medicaid and SCHIP (as of June 2000)
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Requires PAservice, orRequires PA
Coveredor otherGeneral quantityconditionor otherGeneralProvider, service or
sgroupsreviewlimitslimitsProgramsreviewquantity limitscondition limits
CN onlyUNLIMITEDAKN/A
CN onlyone every twoAL
years — more ifone pair per year
me d ically
iki/CRS-RL32628necessary
g/w
s.orCN + MNone pair per 12monthsARN/A
leak
://wikiCN onlyVaries byMCO; no FFSAZone pair percontract year
http
CN + MNone pair per yearCA-Aone pair per yearVaries by MCO
without PA
CA-BNOT COVERED
CN onlyCO$50 credit
UNLIMITEDtowards purchaseper benefit
period



CRS-39
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Requires PAservice, orRequires PA
Coveredor otherGeneral quantityconditionor otherGeneralProvider, service or
sgroupsreviewlimitslimitsProgramsreviewquantity limitscondition limits
CN + MN some limits on re-CT-AAllowance ofVaries by MCO
placements$100 every two
consecutive
c o nt i nuo us
eligib ility
periods. In some
cer tain
situatio ns,
iki/CRS-RL32628optical hardwareis not limited
g/wbenefit, and the
s.or allo wa nc e
leaklimitations do
not apply.
://wiki
httpCT-BNOT COVERED
CT-CNOT COVERED
CN + MN all contact lensesDC
and special glasses
require PA; willN/A
replace and repair
gla sse s
not coveredDEUNLIMITED
CN + MNtwo pair per yearFL-Aone pair/two yrs.
Unless size/RX
changes
FL-BNOT COVERED



CRS-40
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Requires PAservice, orRequires PA
Coveredor otherGeneral quantityconditionor otherGeneralProvider, service or
sgroupsreviewlimitslimitsProgramsreviewquantity limitscondition limits
FL-C UNLIMIT ED
CN + MN xPA required forGAxPA required for
contact lenses;contact lenses,
new glasses unlesstrifocal lenses,
p r escr ip tio n oversized
change meetsframes, hi-index
Medicaidand poly-
requirementscarbonate lenses.
iki/CRS-RL32628
g/wCN + MNone pair every twoHIN/A
s.oryears w/out PA
leakCN + MNone pair per twoIAMax $100 toVaries by MCO
://wikiyearsinclude one pairof frames every
httptwo years and
one set of
prescribed
corrective lenses
per calendar year
CN onlyone every fourIDN/A
years
CN + MNUNLIMITEDILUNLIMITED



CRS-41
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Requires PAservice, orRequires PA
Coveredor otherGeneral quantityconditionor otherGeneralProvider, service or
sgroupsreviewlimitslimitsProgramsreviewquantity limitscondition limits
CN onlyone pair per yearIN
unless prescription
changes .75
diopters or axisNOT REPORTED
changes 15
degrees; replaced
if lost or broken
CN + MNUNLIMITEDKSNOTvaries by MCO
iki/CRS-RL32628 RE P O RT E D
g/w
s.orCN + MN two pair per yearKYxtwo pair of
leakw/out PAglasses per 12
mo nt hs
://wikiCN + MNone pair per year;LA
httpall repairs/
replacements N/A
require PA
CN + MNMA-AUNLIMITED
UNLIMITEDMA-Bvaries by MCO
MA-C UNLIMIT ED
CN + MNone pair per yearMD
unless prescriptionN/A


changes, or lost,
stolen, or broken

CRS-42
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Requires PAservice, orRequires PA
Coveredor otherGeneral quantityconditionor otherGeneralProvider, service or
sgroupsreviewlimitslimitsProgramsreviewquantity limitscondition limits
CN + MNtwo pair per yearMExPA required for
w/out priorover two pair per
autho r izatio n year
CN + MNunder age 21, twoMIOnce per 24
replacements permonths, or once
yearper 12 months if
change in
prescription is
iki/CRS-RL32628 needed.
g/w
s.orCN + MNUNLIMITEDMNN/A
leakCN onlyone pair every twoMO
N/A
://wiki years
httpCN onlytwo eyeglasses perMS
year, four lensesone pair per year
per year
CN + MNone pair per yearMTOne pair perVaries by MCO
child per benefit
year; contacts
not covered
CN + MNone pair per yearNCone set lenses per
year, one set of
frames every two
years



CRS-43
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Requires PAservice, orRequires PA
Coveredor otherGeneral quantityconditionor otherGeneralProvider, service or
sgroupsreviewlimitslimitsProgramsreviewquantity limitscondition limits
CN + MN< age 21, one pairNDFrames-once
per yearevery two years,
$80 max. benefit
for prescribed
lenses once
every 12 months.
CN + MNFirst pairNE
replacement of
iki/CRS-RL32628lenses and frames
g/wwhen no longer
s.or useable, N/A
leakreplacement of
lenses when
://wiki p r escr ip tio n
httpchange is
significant enough
CN + MNone pair per year ifNHone pair per year
diopter change isw/limited frame
more than + or -selection
0.5.
CN + MNone pair per yearNJ-AUNLIMITED
NJ-Bone pair in a 24
month period or
as medically
necessary



CRS-44
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Requires PAservice, orRequires PA
Coveredor otherGeneral quantityconditionor otherGeneralProvider, service or
sgroupsreviewlimitslimitsProgramsreviewquantity limitscondition limits
CN onlyxone pair andNM
prescribed
replacement w/out
prio r N/A
authorization, all
contacts require
prior authorization
CN onlyUNLIMITEDNVUNLIMITED
iki/CRS-RL32628
g/wCN + MNone pair every twoNY
s.oryearsNOT COVERED
leak
://wikiCN onlyone frame, andlenses per 12OHN/A
httpmonth period
CN + MNxAs prescribed toOK
correct visual
defects or protectN/A
children with
monocular vision;
some require PA
CN onlyUNLIMITEDORone pair per year
CN + MNUnlimitedPA
eyeglass repair or
replacement oftwo pair per year


lost or stolen
gla sse s

CRS-45
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Requires PAservice, orRequires PA
Coveredor otherGeneral quantityconditionor otherGeneralProvider, service or
sgroupsreviewlimitslimitsProgramsreviewquantity limitscondition limits
CN onlyUNLIMITEDRIN/A
CN onlyone pair per year +SC
additional lenses ifN/A
one-half diopter
change
CN onlyUNLIMITEDSDN/A
iki/CRS-RL32628CN + MNxcovered uponTN
g/wjustified need forN/A
s.or replacement
leakCN + MNTXone pair non-
://wikiUNLIMITEDprosthetic eyewear per 12
http mo nt hs.
CN + MNone pair per twoUTNOT COVERED
years
CN + MNone pair per twoVAone pair per two
years years
CN + MNno replacementVTOne pair every
within 24 monthstwo years unless
if not broken orone-half diopter
lost and change ischange


less than one-half
diopter

CRS-46
Medicaid SCH IP
Provider,
Requires PAservice, orRequires PA
Coveredor otherGeneral quantityconditionor otherGeneralProvider, service or
sgroupsreviewlimitslimitsProgramsreviewquantity limitscondition limits
ACN + MNone per two yearsWAone pair every
two years
CN + MNtwo pair per yearWIN/A
CN + MNWVContacts and
UNLIMITEDeyeglasseslimited to $100
per 12 months
iki/CRS-RL32628
g/wYCN onlyinitial pair andWY
s.or periodic UNLIMIT ED
leak replacement
://wiki CRS analysis of benefits data collected in two 2000 surveys, one for state Medicaid programs and the other for separate state SCHIP programs, conducted by the National
httpy for State Health Policy under contract to CRS.
In the two “Programs columns (one for Medicaid and one for SCHIP), state abbreviations are used. For SCHIP, 28 states had a single separate SCHIP program represented
e state abbreviation. The remaining five states with separate SCHIP programs each had two or three such programs with different benefit plans. In this case, an A, B, or C extension
dded to the state abbreviation (e.g., CT-A, CT-B, CT-C) to distinguish multiple programs as needed.
e “Covered groups” column for Medicaid, “CN only” means this benefit is covered for categorically needy beneficiaries only, andCN + MN “ means this benefit is covered for
categorically needy and medically needy beneficiaries.
e SCHIP columns, N/A means that the state had no separate SCHIP program at the time of the survey, and thus, coverage of this benefit is not applicable.
inition of other terms (in alphabetical order):
ee for service
O managed care organization
rior authorization