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24.5.1.1 Skilled Nursing Visits
All SN services must be prior authorized.
SN visits are limited to SN procedures performed by an RN or LVN licensed to perform these services under the Texas Nursing Practice Act and include direct SN care, and parent or guardian, caregiver training, and education as well as SN observation, assessment, and evaluation by an RN, provided a physician specifically requests that a nurse visit the client for this purpose, and the physician's order reflects the medical necessity for the visit.
For all clients, SN visits may be provided in the following locations:
• Home of the client, parent, guardian, or caregiver.
•Foster homes.
•Independent living arrangements.
Skilled Nursing Care
Skilled nursing care consists of those services that must, under state law, be performed by a RN or LVN, and meet the criteria for SN services specified in the Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §§ 409.32, 409.33, and 409.44).
In determining whether a service requires the skill of a licensed nurse, consideration must be given to the inherent complexity of the service, the condition of the client, and the accepted standards of medical and nursing practice.
The fact that the SN service can be, or is, taught to the client or to the client's family or friends does not negate the skilled aspect of the service when the service is performed by a nurse.
If the service could be performed by the average nonmedical person, the absence of a competent person to perform it does not cause it to be an SN service.
If the nature of a service is such that it can safely and effectively be performed by the average nonmedical person without direct supervision of a licensed nurse, the service cannot be regarded as an SN service.
Some services are classified as SN services on the basis of complexity alone (e.g., intravenous and intramuscular injections or insertion of catheters), and if reasonable and necessary to the treatment of the client's illness or injury, would be covered on that basis. However, in some cases, the client's condition may cause a service that would ordinarily be considered unskilled to be considered an SN service. This would occur when the client's condition is such that the service can be safely and effectively provided only by a nurse.
A service which, by its nature, requires the skills of a nurse to be provided safely and effectively continues to be a skilled service even if it is taught to the client, the client's family, or other caregivers. Where the client needs the SN care and there is no one trained, able and willing to provide it, the services of a nurse would be reasonable and necessary to the treatment of the illness or injury.
The SN services must be reasonable and necessary to the diagnosis and treatment of the client's illness or injury within the context of the client's unique medical condition. To be considered reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of the client's illness or injury, the services must be consistent with the nature and severity of the illness or injury, the client's particular medical needs, and within accepted standards of medical and nursing practice. A client's overall medical condition is a valid factor in deciding whether skilled services are needed. A client's diagnosis should never be the sole factor in deciding whether the service the client needs is either skilled or not skilled.
The determination of whether the services are reasonable and necessary should be made in consideration of the physician's determination that the services ordered are reasonable and necessary. The services must, therefore, be viewed from the perspective of the condition of the client when the services were ordered, and what was, at that time, reasonably expected to be appropriate treatment for the illness or injury throughout the certification period.
The SN care must be provided on a part-time or intermittent basis.
Professional Nursing
Professional nursing provided by an RN, as defined in the Texas Nurse Practice Act, means the performance of an act that requires substantial specialized judgment and skill, the proper performance of which is based on knowledge and application of the principles of biological, physical, and social science as acquired by a completed course in an approved school of professional nursing. The term does not include acts of medical diagnosis or the prescription of therapeutic or corrective measures. Professional nursing involves:
•The observation, assessment, intervention, evaluation, rehabilitation, care and counsel, or health teachings of a person who is ill, injured, infirm, or experiencing a change in normal health processes.
•The maintenance of health or prevention of illness.
•The administration of a medication or treatment as ordered by a physician, podiatrist, or dentist.
•The supervision of delegated nursing tasks or teaching of nursing.
•The administration, supervision, and evaluation of nursing practices, policies, and procedures.
•The performance of an act delegated by a physician.
•Development of the nursing care plan.
Professional nursing also involves assisting in the evaluation of an individual's response to a nursing intervention and the identification of an individual's needs and engaging in other acts that require education and training, as prescribed by board rules and policies, commensurate with the nurse's experience, continuing education, and demonstrated competency.
Vocational Nursing
Vocational nursing, as defined in the Texas Nurse Practice Act, means a directed scope of nursing practice, including the performance of an act that requires specialized judgment and skill, the proper performance of which is based on knowledge and application of the principles of biological, physical, and social science as acquired by a completed course in an approved school of vocational nursing. The term does not include acts of medical diagnosis or the prescription of therapeutic or corrective measures. Vocational nursing involves:
•Collecting data and performing focused nursing assessments of the health status of an individual.
•Participating in the planning of the nursing care needs of an individual.
•Participating in the development and modification of the nursing care plan.
•Participating in health teaching and counseling to promote, attain, and maintain the optimum health level of an individual.
Vocational Nursing also involves assisting in the evaluation of an individual's response to a nursing intervention and the identification of an individual's needs and engaging in other acts that require education and training, as prescribed by board rules and policies, commensurate with the nurse's experience, continuing education, and demonstrated competency.
Use procedure code C-G0154 for SN services.
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