COMPARABLE SERVICES AND BENEFITS
CONSIDERATION AND UTILIZATION FOR SERVICES
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind’s Independent Living Rehabilitation program requires clients to utilize comparable services and benefits as applicable. A comparable service or benefit is any resource which may provide equipment and/or services similar to those provided by RSB’s ILR program. Examples of comparable services and benefits include, but are not limited to, Medicare, Medicaid, veteran’s benefits, private health insurance, Telecommunications Access Program, Independent Living Centers and schools. RSB staff are encouraged to use comparable benefits whenever possible.
Consideration and use of comparable services or benefits is documented in the narrative and Contract for Services (authorization).
CONSIDERATION AND UTILIZATION FOR DIAGNOSTIC EXAMS
RSB staff members must use similar benefits when applicable for the following:
- General medical examination and related laboratory testing;
- General optometric or ophthalmologic examination which could include external exam,
ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, visual acuities, refraction and/or visual field testing. - Diagnostic exams completed in status 10 and above
DELAY OF SERVICES AND EXTREME MEDICAL RISK
The staff member is not required to consider the availability of comparable services and benefits if such consideration would delay the provision of ILR services to any individual who is determined to be at extreme medical risk based upon documentation provided by an appropriate licensed professional.
Extreme medical risk means a risk of substantially increasing functional impairment to the individual if services are not provided expeditiously.