Medical and Remedial Care–Other Practitioners (Note: There is no table for this service.)
Federal law allows states to include the services of a variety of licensed health care practitioners in their State Plan coverages. The services of the most common practitioners are addressed through tables specific to them, i.e., podiatrists, chiropractors, optometrists, psychologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists. However, there are other practitioners whose services are covered and directly reimbursed in selected states. Such practitioners include physician assistants, nutritionists, dieticians, dental hygienists, acupuncturists, mechanotherapists, naturopaths, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, medical social workers, behavioral health practitioners and counselors, pastoral counselors, marriage and family therapists, and sign and other language interpreters. States that include these services generally establish copayment and prior approval requirements as well as coverage limitations consistent with other similar services.
The predominant reimbursement methodology used by states for these services is "fee for service". This means the state has established a maximum payment amount for a particular service, and pays the lesser of the provider's charge or this amount.