SF 559 (LSB 2752XS (5) 91)

SENATE FILE 559

BY  TRONE GARRIOTT, DONAHUE, PETERSEN, ZIMMER, and WAHLS

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to speech language pathologist assistants and the medical assistance program, and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 249A.15B, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   249A.15B  Speech pathologists and speech language pathologist assistants eligible for payment.
   1.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A entitling speech pathologists who are licensed pursuant to chapter 154F, including those certified in independent practice, to payment for speech pathology services provided to recipients of medical assistance, subject to limitations and exclusions the department finds necessary on the basis of federal laws and regulations.
   2.  The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A that permit a speech language pathologist assistant who practices under a speech pathologist licensed pursuant to chapter 154F to be reimbursed for speech language pathology assistant services provided to recipients under the medical assistance program, subject to limitations and exclusions the department finds necessary on the basis of federal laws and regulations.
    Sec. 2.  MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM —— SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST ASSISTANTS.  The department of health and human services shall submit any federal waiver or amendment to the centers for Medicare and Medicaid services of the United States department of health and human services to include speech language pathologist assistants who practice under a licensed speech pathologist to participate as a provider under the medical assistance program.
    Sec. 3.  CONTINGENT EFFECTIVE DATE.  The following takes effect upon the department of health and human services’ receipt of federal approval to allow speech language pathologist assistants to participate as a provider under the medical assistance program:
   The section of this Act amending section 249A.15B.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill directs the department of health and human services (HHS) to adopt rules that permit a speech language pathologist assistant practicing under a licensed speech pathologist to be reimbursed for speech language pathologist assistant services provided to recipients of the medical assistance program, subject to limitations and exclusions HHS finds necessary. The bill also directs HHS to submit any necessary federal waiver or amendment for the medical assistance program to include a speech language pathologist assistant practicing under a licensed speech pathologist to participate as a provider under the medical assistance program. HHS shall include speech language pathologist assistants as providers under the medical assistance program upon HHS’s receipt of federal approval.