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Reporting Testing Results
All screening and diagnostic
test results should be reported to TEHDI (Texas Health and Safety Chapter 47
and Texas Administrative Code Title 25, Chapter 37, Subchapter S). Using the
TEHDI MIS to provide patient information helps decrease data entry errors and
assists with faster processing. Training on entering results, provider
information, and electronically making the ECI referral is provided to new MIS
users. For information on how to obtain a user name, password and schedule
system training, call Oz Systems at (866) 427-5768. Then select option 3.
Providers can also fax
results to TEHDI using the following reporting forms:
Facility Certification Requirements
The Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (TEHDI) program certifies facilities with newborn hearing screening programs in accordance with Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Health and Safety Code certification criteria as well as best practices protocols. This certification helps to ensure quality services to newborns, infants and families.
Twice a year in January and July, TEHDI reviews newborn hearing screening programs that are due a recertification. Approximately 230 facilities currently are eligible for certification in Texas. Eight data metric standards measuring their performance against national standards and state performance averages are used to determine certification outcomes. As of July 2019, 181 facilities were recognized as distinguished. View list of distinguished facilities.
There are four levels of certification: Preliminary (a new program), Provisional, Standard and Distinguished. Read about the newborn hearing screening program protocols and certification.
Reimbursement for Newborn Hearing Screening
Medicaid
All general acute care hospitals except for children's hospitals will be reimbursed for newborn hearing screening services according to the Texas Medicaid prospective payment methodology based on the Diagnosis Related Group (DRG). The cost of providing this service is factored into the calculation of the DRG relative weights.
Newborns who do not pass the newborn hearing screen [birth and/or outpatient screen(s), if applicable] will be referred for pediatric audiological diagnostic testing.
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants who do not pass the birth screen are referred directly for pediatric audiological diagnostic testing. These diagnostic tests may be billed using existing codes and fee structures.
Commercial Insurance
Newborn hearing screening is covered as part of the mandated health benefits listed by Texas Department of Insurance and required by Texas statute and regulations.
Children's Health Insurance Program
Newborn hearing screening is a covered service through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The birth admission hearing screen is covered as part of the DRG.
Uninsured
- As with other uninsured services, the hospital will be at risk for loss of reimbursement for services provided to unfunded clients. However, the law still requires that the hospital provide the service.
- The monitoring process must ensure that there is a match between Texas Vital Statistics reported births at an individual hospital and Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (TEHDI).