National EHDI Technical Assistance Systemat
Utah State University
National EHDI Technical Assistance Systemat
Utah State University
• EHDI Network members located in each of ten geographic regions
Region I(38% currently bornin UNHS hospitals)
Antonia MaxonB
Region IV(46% currently bornin UNHS hospitals)
Faye McCollister
Region III(49% currently bornin UNHS hospitals)
Sean Kastetter
Region VI(38% currently born in UNHS hospitals)
Karen DittyPatti Martin
Region VII(33% currently bornin UNHS hospitals)
Les Schmeltz
Region IX(23% currently bornin UNHS hospitals)
Randi WinstonYusnita Weirather
Region II(16% currently bornin UNHS hospitals)
Beth Prieve
Region V(26% currently bornin UNHS hospitals)
Karen Munoz
Region X(21% currently bornin UNHS hospitals)
Curt Whitcomb
Region VIII(91% currently bornin UNHS hospitals)
Terry Foust
National EHDI Assistance Network
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VIII
IX
VII
VI
V
IV
III
II
I
X
Guam, American Samoa,Marshall Islands, Palau,
No. Mariana Islands,Fed. Micronesia
Puerto RicoVirgin Islands
Examples of Network Activities
• State-wide EHDI meetings
• Individualized TA with state EHDI programs
• NEC*TAS Webcast for Part C Programs
• AAP Chapter Advocacy Forum
• Regional workshops on Diagnostic ABR
– 6 weeks of on-line preparation
– 2 day face-to-face workshop
– 3 month follow-up practicum
National EHDI Technical Assistance System (continued)
• EHDI Network members located in each of the MCHB regions
• Information dissemination and training
Support for Program Implementation
• Step-by-step Implementation Guide
• Distributed by MCHB to all birthing facilities in the US
• Down load from the web at www.infanthearing.org
• Linked to examples of materials from existing programs
Sound Ideas Newsletter
• Published Quarterly
• Topical articles, suggestions for program improvement
• Upcoming events
• Available online or mailed
National EHDI Technical Assistance System (continued)
• EHDI Network members located in each of the MCHB regions
• Information dissemination and training
• Web site (www.infanthearing.org)
National EHDI Technical Assistance System (continued)
• EHDI Network members located in each of the MCHB regions
• Information dissemination and training
• Web site (www.infanthearing.org)
• Collaboration with other groups and agencies
National EHDI Technical Assistance System (continued)
• Groups actively promoting and assisting with EHDI activities– AG Bell, NCHH, ASHA, AAA, JCIH, AAP, SKI-HI,
ASDC, Boys Town, DSHPSHWA
• Relevant groups whose main focus has been elsewhere– NEC*TAS, Early Head Start, 0-3, Family Voices,
NCCC, AMCHP, AHEC, March of Dimes, MCH Health Policy Center
Collaboration with Other Groups and Agencies
Analysis of Reimbursement for EHDI-Related Services
• Medicaid Managed Care Contract Provisions for EHDI (42 states)
– All state Medicaid contracts included provisions for hearing screening as part of their EPSDT
– Only 26% states’ EPSDT requirements were consistent with national standards for objective hearing screens for newborns. For the post-newborn period, 19% were consistent with national standards.
– States much more likely to specify subjective rather than objective hearing screening requirements as part of the routine EPSDT screen.
• Medicaid Reimbursement of Hearing Services for Children (44 states)
– Medicaid fees for hearing services in 2000 were low with significant range (eg, fees for Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (92579) averaged $20.82 (range $11 to $39).
– The extent to which such low Medicaid fees contribute to restricted access to audiology providers and services is an issue that requires further study.
