Ala. Admin. Code r. 560-X-15-.09

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 10, July 31, 2024

Section 560-X-15-.09 - Mobile Dental Clinics

(1) A mobile dental facility or portable dental operation (Mobile Dental Clinic) is any self-contained facility in which dentistry or dental hygiene is practiced which may be moved, towed, or transported from one location to another.

(2) Mobile Dental Clinics shall comply with all Medicaid rules and regulations as set forth in the State Plan, Alabama Medicaid Administrative Code, Code of Federal Regulations and applicable Medicaid billing manuals.

(3) In order to enroll as a Mobile Dental Clinic, an operator shall:

(a) obtain a certificate of registration issued by the Board of Dental Examiners (the Board); and

(b) complete an Alabama Medicaid Provider Enrollment application.

(4) Mobile Dental Clinics shall comply with the following consent requirements:

(a) The operator of a Mobile Dental Clinic shall not perform services on a minor without the signed consent from the parent or guardian. The consent form shall be established by the Board.

(b) The consent form shall inquire whether the prospective patient has received dental care from a licensed dentist within one year and if so, the consent form shall request the name, address, and phone number of the dental home. If the information provided to the operator does not identify a dental home for the prospective patient, the operator shall contact the Alabama Medicaid Agency for assistance in identifying a dental home for Medicaid eligible patients. If this information is provided to the operator, the operator shall contact the designated dental home by phone, facsimile, or electronic mail and notify the dental home of the prospective patient's interest in receiving dental care from the operator. If the dental home confirms that an appointment for the prospective patient is scheduled with the dentist, the operator shall encourage the prospective patient or his or her guardian to seek care from the dental home.

(c) The consent form shall document that the patient, or legal guardian, understands the prospective patient has an option to receive dental care from either the Mobile Dental Clinic or his or her designated dental home if applicable.

(d) The consent form shall require the signature of a parent or legal guardian.

(5) Each Mobile Dental Clinic shall maintain a written or electronic record detailing all of the following information for each location where services are performed:

(a) The street address of the service location.

(b) The dates of each session.

(c) The number of patients served.

(d) The types of dental services provided and the quantity of each service provided.

(e) Any other information requested by rule of the Board or Medicaid.

(6) At the conclusion of each patient's visit to the Mobile Dental Clinic, the patient shall be provided with a patient information sheet which shall also be provided to any individual or entity to whom the patient has consented or authorized to receive or access the patient's records. The information sheet shall include at a minimum the following information:

(a) The name of the dentist or dental hygienist, or both, who performed the services.

(b) A description of the treatment rendered, including billing service codes and fees associated with treatment and tooth numbers when appropriate.

(c) If applicable, the name, address, and telephone number of any dentist to whom the patient was referred for follow-up care and the reason for such referral.

(d) The name, address, and telephone number, if applicable, of a parent or guardian of the patient.

(7) Mobile Dental Clinics shall comply with the following requirements for Emergency Follow-up Care:

(a) The operator shall maintain a written procedure for emergency follow-up care for patients treated in a Mobile Dental Clinic, which includes arrangements for treatment and follow-up care by a qualified dentist in a dental facility that is permanently established within a 50-mile radius of where mobile services are provided.

(b) An operator who either is unable to identify a qualified dentist in the area or is unable to arrange for emergency follow-up care for patients otherwise shall be obligated to provide the necessary follow up via the Mobile Dental Clinic or the operator may choose to provide the follow-up care at his or her established dental practice location in the state or at any other established dental practice in the state which agrees to accept the patient.

(c) An operator who fails to arrange or provide follow-up care as required herein shall be considered to have abandoned the patient, and will subject the operator and any dentist or dental hygienist, or both, who fail to provide the referenced follow-up treatment to termination as a Medicaid provider.

(8) The provider shall not charge Medicaid for services rendered on a no-charge basis to the general public.

(9) A Mobile Dental Clinic that accepts or treats a patient but does not refer patients for follow-up treatment when such follow-up treatment is clearly necessary, shall be considered to have abandoned the patient and will subject the operator and any dentist or dental hygienist, or both, who fails to provide the referenced follow-up treatment to termination as a Medicaid provider.

(10) Mobile Dental Clinics shall comply with the following requirements for sale or cessation of operation:

(a) In the event a Mobile Dental Clinic is to be sold, the current provider shall inform the Board and Medicaid, at least 10 days prior to the sale being completed and shall disclose the purchaser to the Board and Medicaid, via certified mail within 10 days after the date the sale is finalized.

(b) The provider shall notify the Board and Medicaid, at least 30 days prior to cessation of operation. Such notification shall include the final day of operation, and a copy of the notification shall be sent to all patients and shall include the manner and procedure by which patients may obtain their records or transfer those records to another dentist.

(c) It is the responsibility of the provider to take all necessary action to ensure that the patient records are available to the patient, a duly authorized representative of the patient, or a subsequent treating dentist. For purposes of this subsection, a patient shall mean any individual who has received any treatment or consultation of any kind within two years of the last date of operation of the Mobile Dental Clinic.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 560-X-15-.09

New Rule: Filed June 20, 2008; effective September 15, 2008.

Author: Leigh Ann Hixon, Dental Program

Statutory Authority: State Plan Attachment 4.19-B; Title XIX, Social Security Act; 42 CFR Section 440.100; Alabama Act No. 2008-279.