Minnesota Minnesota

Early Intensive Development and Behavioral Intervention Manual

Early Intensive Development and Behavioral Intervention Manual

EIDBI services

Page posted: 6/15/15

Page reviewed: 8/30/24

Page updated: 1/6/26

Legal authority

CMS-approved state plan amendment – 2017 (PDF), CMS-approved state plan amendment – 2018 update (PDF), CMS-approved state plan amendment – 2019 update (PDF), Minn. Stat. §256B.0949

Overview

Every Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) service must address the person’s medically necessary treatment goals and be targeted to develop, enhance or maintain the person’s developmental skills to improve their:

  • · Functional communication (receptive and expressive).
  • · Social or interpersonal interaction skills.
  • · Interfering or complex behaviors.
  • · Self-regulation.
  • · Cognitive functioning.
  • · Learning and playing skills.
  • · Safety skills.
  • · Self-care skills.
  • Every EIDBI intervention service must:

  • · Be provided by a qualified EIDBI provider.
  • · Be supervised by a qualified supervising professional (QSP).
    Note: Comprehensive multi-disciplinary evaluation (CMDE) providers do not need QSP supervision.
  • · Be person-centered.
  • · Meet DHS billing requirements.
  • · Have documentation that supports the service’s necessity.
  • Consent to receive services

    The person must receive a CMDE to determine if they have a medical need for EIDBI services. They must have a completed CMDE Medical Necessity Summary Information, DHS-7108 signed and dated by the following people:

  • · CMDE provider who completed the CMDE.
  • · Caregiver/guardian.
  • · Interpreter (if applicable).
  • Once the person is determined eligible for EIDBI services, the provider agency develops an individualized treatment plan (ITP). Before the person can start or continue receiving services, they must have a completed ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109 signed and dated by the following people:

  • · QSP who completed the ITP.
  • · Caregiver/guardian.
  • · Interpreter (if applicable).
  • The signatures on DHS-7108 and DHS-7109 serve as consent for the person to begin or continue receiving EIDBI services. The signatures must meet the requirements on EIDBI – How to complete CMDE Medical Necessity Summary Information, DHS-7108 and EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109.

    Note: Only people who can consent to treatment and make legal decisions can sign these forms. This may not include all caregivers. Providers must make sure the people who sign the forms have the legal authority to do so.

    Person-centered services

    Person-centered planning ensures EIDBI services:

  • · Respond to the identified needs, interests, values, preferences and desired outcomes of the person and their legal representative, as outlined in the CMDE and ITP.
  • · Respect the person’s rights, history, dignity and cultural background (refer to EIDBI – Rights and responsibilities).
  • · Improve health and quality of life.
  • · Increase the person’s autonomy, independence and participation in their community.
  • Covered services

    The EIDBI benefit covers the following services:

  • · CMDE.
  • · ITP development and progress monitoring.
  • · Coordinated care conference.
  • · Intervention – group, individual and higher intensity.
  • · Observation and direction.
  • · Family/caregiver training and counseling.
  • · Travel time.
  • For more information, refer to the service-specific pages.

    Telehealth services

    A person may receive some EIDBI services via telehealth. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Telehealth services.

    Simultaneous services

    Multiple providers may deliver and bill for the following EIDBI services at the same time:

  • · CMDE.
  • · ITP development and progress monitoring.
  • · Coordinated care conference.
  • · Observation and direction.
  • · Family/caregiver training and counseling.
  • Multiple providers may deliver a combination of EIDBI services at the same time (e.g., one provider delivers individual intervention, and another provider delivers observation and direction) as medically necessary.

    Continuous service delivery

    EIDBI services must reflect continuous intervention, provider presence and purposeful therapeutic activity throughout the entire billable period. Providers may only bill for time during which qualified providers actively deliver medically necessary EIDBI services according to the person’s CMDE and ITP.

    Settings

    The person may receive EIDBI services in the following settings:

  • · Center.
  • · Clinic.
  • · Home or community environment (e.g., school).
  • · Office.
  • For more information, including setting definitions and documentation requirements, refer to EIDBI – Settings for EIDBI services.

    Coordination with educational/academic services

    The person’s EIDBI services must coordinate with educational/academic services to ensure the person receives the most appropriate and effective combination of services to meet their needs.

    EIDBI provider agencies and individual EIDBI providers must:

  • · Not represent EIDBI services as educational or academic services.
  • · Collaborate with the family and Individualized Education Program (IEP) team to align behavioral and communication strategies that support the person’s treatment goals across settings.
  • · Recognize that the school remains responsible for all education-related goals and academic instruction.
  • · Ensure that EIDBI services do not duplicate or replace school responsibilities or interfere with instructional time.
  • · Schedule direct intervention services (e.g., 97153) outside instructional periods or in coordination with the school staff to support transitions, regulation or generalization of skills.
  • · Deliver short-term or transitional services.
  • The person may receive EIDBI services during school hours, on school grounds or in homeschool or virtual school environments when the services are medically necessary and clearly documented in the person’s ITP, including the reason and specific goals and objectives. For more information, refer to:

  • · EIDBI – ITP development and progress monitoring.
  • · EIDBI – Settings for EIDBI services.
  • · Minnesota Autism Resource Portal – Education – Collaboration resources.
  • Homeschool or virtual school instruction

    When a child is assigned to or participates in homeschool or virtual school instruction, the family and school are responsible for fulfilling all educational and instructional requirements under state and federal law.

    EIDBI providers must not intentionally or unintentionally overstep or replace the role of the teacher, paraprofessional or family to deliver educational services.

    EIDBI providers must ensure that EIDBI services:

  • · Do not conflict or interfere with homeschool or virtual school instructional time.
  • · Do not replace the school’s or family’s responsibility to deliver the person’s education.
  • · Are scheduled concurrently in a way that supports both learning and treatment without overlap.
  • Non-covered services during homeschool or virtual school instruction

    Effective Jan. 1, 2026, EIDBI providers must not deliver or bill the following direct intervention services during homeschool or online/virtual school instruction:

  • · 1:1 (i.e., 97153).
  • · Group (i.e., 97154).
  • · High-intensity intervention with the person (i.e., 0373T).
  • Covered services during homeschool or virtual instruction

    Providers may deliver family/caregiver training (i.e., 97156) if the parent or caregiver is available and participates. This allows medically necessary support to continue while protecting the person’s right to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).

    Progress monitoring, supervision and care coordination

    Providers may deliver progress monitoring, staff supervision and care coordination activities in coordination with educational/academic services as medically necessary to support the person’s treatment goals. Providers should:

  • · Conduct these activities in collaboration with school personnel when the person receives educational services.
  • · Ensure consistency across settings.
  • · Maintain clear boundaries between medical and educational responsibilities.
  • Documentation requirements

    Data collection and notes should not describe or track:

  • · School assignments.
  • · Academic progress.
  • · Classroom tasks (e.g., reading worksheets, math lessons, participation in academic activities).
  • Documentation must:

  • · Focus on developmental and functional outcomes related to the person’s medical needs, not their educational performance.
  • · Reflect coordination with the school team to mitigate service duplication.
  • For more information about case notes, refer to the case notes section of EIDBI – Health service records.

    Coordination with other services

    The person’s EIDBI services must coordinate with other Medicaid funded services to ensure the person receives the most appropriate and effective combination of services to meet their needs.

    The person may receive EIDBI services in coordination with other Medicaid-funded services, including but not limited to:

  • · Behavioral health home services.
  • · Home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers.
  • · Home care services.
  • · Mental health services, including Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) (refer to EIDBI – Comparison of CTSS and EIDBI benefits).
  • · Occupational and physical therapy.
  • · Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) services.
  • · Speech and language pathology.
  • · Psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF).
  • The following EIDBI services are allowable in a PRTF:

  • · CMDE.
  • · ITP development and progress monitoring.
  • · Coordinated care conference.
  • · Family/caregiver training and counseling.
  • · Travel time.
  • EIDBI and HCBS service coordination

    The person can receive EIDBI and HCBS waiver services either concurrently (i.e., during the same service period but not at the same time) or simultaneously (i.e., during the same service period and at the same time) if medically necessary. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • · CFSS/PCA services.
  • · Individualized home supports (IHS).
  • · Homemaker.
  • · Chore services.
  • For more information, refer to the applicable pages in this manual and the Community-Based Services Manual (CBSM).

    Requirements for coordination with other services

    EIDBI provider agencies are responsible to:

  • · Accurately bill for services, including ensuring time billed reflects the person’s treatment plan goals.
  • · Clearly and accurately document services, including clinical rationale, provider roles, the medical necessity for concurrent or simultaneous delivery and how they avoided service duplication.
    Note: Insufficient documentation may lead to payment recoupment or withholding.
  • · Coordinate the person’s ITP and support plan with other providers, the person’s family and their case manager as applicable.
  • · Avoid duplicative services
  • · Deliver services within their approved scope.
  • · Provide concurrent or simultaneous services with caution, only when medically necessary and in compliance with Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP)/Medicaid rules and applicable HCBS policy.
    Note: Concurrent or simultaneous delivery should not be routine.
  • · Include documentation supporting medical necessity in requests for concurrent services. DHS may request additional information.
  • · Ensure the person meets eligibility and medical necessity for all services billed.
  • · Document goals and objectives for each session in the person’s treatment plan(s).
  • · Review Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) – The Medicaid National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI), including procedure-to-procedure and medically unlikely edits.
  • · Contact the MHCP Provider Resource Center at 800-366-5411 or use DHS – Minnesota NCCI to verify they can simultaneously bill for applicable billing codes, including billing codes for non-EIDBI services.
  • Non-covered services

    The EIDBI benefit does not cover:

    1. Provider training, supervision or observation activities that do not meet covered service criteria, including:

  • · Training or supervision activities that do not meet the requirements for observation and direction.
  • · Passive or non-clinical observation of treatment sessions.
  • · Shadowing therapy without active therapeutic engagement or supervision.
  • · Observation conducted without coaching, direction, clinical assessment or data collection related to the person’s ITP.
  • 2. Transportation for the person.

    3. Services conducted via mail or email.

    4. Administrative tasks and program development activities, including:

  • · Reporting, charting or record-keeping tasks (e.g., completing case notes).
  • · Creating or developing stimuli, visuals or therapy materials.
  • · Writing, modifying or updating treatment programs or targets outside of treatment plan development and monitoring.
  • · Assembling or maintaining client binders or other program resources.
  • · Reviewing treatment literature or resources.
  • 5. Services that are not documented in the person’s health service record or ITP in the manner outlined in this manual or Minn. R. 9505.2175.

    6. Services that are primarily for custodial, day care or respite purposes (e.g., diapering, toileting, feeding, dressing, hygiene support) that are not implemented as skill-building intervention within the ITP.

    7. Services that are primarily recreational and not supervised by a medical professional (e.g., sports activities, craft activities, meal/snack time, trips to community activities, tours).
    Note: EIDBI may cover these activities if they are primarily for treatment and provided according to the person’s ITP.

    8. Services that are the responsibility of a residential or program license holder (e.g., foster care provider) according to a service agreement (SA) or administrative licensing rules.

    9. Services not approved by DHS’ medical review agent, except for services that do not require authorization.

    10. Services that include or replace academic goals that are otherwise included in the person’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).

    11. Services provided by:

  • · A parent, legal guardian or another person who is legally responsible for the person who receives services.
  • · A person who does not meet the provider qualifications.
  • · A person who has a relationship that violates ethical guidelines for dual relationship (e.g., sibling, cousin, aunt/uncle, PCA worker) or would result in a conflict of interest, as defined by applicable ethical practice standards or licensure rules.
  • 12. Services provided in the following circumstances:

  • · In violation of Medical Assistance (MA) policy as outlined in Minn. R. 9505.0220.
  • · To the general community (e.g., prevention and education programs).
  • · When the person sleeps or naps.
  • · Without the required supervision.
  • 13. Services not provided (e.g., late to appointments, appointment no-shows).

    14. Waiting or idle time, including:

  • · Time spent waiting for the person to arrive for their session.
  • · Transition time between clients.
  • · Time spent arriving early before a session starts or staying late after a session ends without therapeutic engagement.
  • · Environmental delays (e.g., transportation or weather issues, scheduling disruptions).
  • 15. Services not provided directly to a person who is present either physically or via interactive video, except the following services that do not require the person to be present:

  • · Coordinated care conference.
  • · Family/caregiver training and counseling.
  • · CMDE when it is integral to a covered CMDE service.
  • · ITP development when it is integral to a covered ITP service.
  • 16. Provider breaks of any kind, including:

  • · Restroom use.
  • · Meal or snack breaks.
  • · Personal phone calls.
  • · Breaks to complete administrative tasks (e.g., case notes, emails, scheduling).
  • · Breaks to retrieve supplies.
  • Note: Providers must pause billing for the duration of the break. They may not bill for any time in which they are not physically present and actively engaged in EIDBI service delivery.

    17. Facility preparation or cleanup, including time to:

  • · Set up or pack up materials before or after sessions.
  • · Clean therapy spaces.
  • · Sanitize toys or equipment.
  • · Rearrange furniture.
  • · Restock supplies or organize therapy rooms.
  • 18. Technology, billing, electronic health record or administrative system tasks, including:

  • · Logging into systems.
  • · Uploading or correcting documentation.
  • · Troubleshooting devices or telehealth platforms.
  • · Billing reconciliation activities.
  • Transferring agencies

    Families have the right to transfer or change EIDBI provider agencies for any reason.

    New agency’s responsibilities

    The new agency is responsible to work with the family to gather discharge information from the previous agency. When a family chooses to transfer or a provider recommends a transfer, the new agency should ask the family to sign a release of information form to gather previous records. The new agency can use either General Consent/Authorization for Release of Information, DHS-3549 (PDF) or an agency-developed release form.

    The new agency should review the records and determine if the person’s previous CMDE and ITP are still valid. If the CMDE is still valid, the new agency may use the CMDE to determine medical necessity. The new agency must update the ITP with its information but may reference the previous ITP.

    The new agency should complete a CMDE and ITP, as instructed on EIDBI – How to complete CMDE Medical Necessity Summary Information, DHS-7108 and EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109, in any of the following situations:

  • · The forms are no longer valid.
  • · The new agency cannot access the forms.
  • · The new agency determines it is medically necessary to complete a new evaluation and ITP.
  • If the person has already used the set number of CMDE units, the new agency may submit EIDBI Authorization Request, DHS-3806 to request authorization of additional services beyond the service limit threshold.

    For service authorization instructions, billing limits and additional information, refer to MHCP Provider Manual – EIDBI benefit.

    For EIDBI agency contact information, refer to DHS – MHCP Provider Directory.

    At the time of the authorization request, the new agency must make sure the previous agency has either:

  • · Ended their SA or prior authorization before the requested EIDBI dates of service through the new agency.
  • · Provided a discharge summary that includes a discharge date and the previous agency’s signature.
  • If the new agency does not have the above information, DHS’ medical review agent will reject the request. DHS’ medical review agent will only approve EIDBI services after the discharge date if they determine the transition is medically necessary.

    Previous agency’s responsibilities

    The previous agency should provide the new agency with all the following information:

  • · CMDE(s).
  • · ITP(s) with an updated transition plan and discharge summary.
  • · Any other relevant records or documentation.
  • The previous agency should notify DHS’ medical review agent and request to end the person’s service authorization, effective on the date of discharge. This will prevent SA overlap and denial of authorization requests.

    Providers must follow EIDBI policy, as described throughout the EIDBI Policy Manual, and consult with the person’s caregiver/guardian about the transition plan.

    Completing DHS-7109A

    When the person transfers agencies, the QSP at the previous agency should download and complete EIDBI transition and/or discharge summary, DHS-7109A electronically. For more information, including instructions to complete the form, refer to the DHS-7109A section on EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109.

    For additional information and instructions, refer to MHCP Provider ManualService authorization.

    Termination of services

    The EIDBI provider agency may terminate the person’s EIDBI services if they meet one of the medical necessity termination criteria.

    The provider must send notice of termination to the person or their legal representative. The transition period begins when the person or their legal representative receives notice of termination and ends on the last date of EIDBI services. DHS allows up to 30 days of continued service during the transition period. Services during the transition period must be consistent with services documented in the ITP (refer to EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109).

    Transition plan

    The transition plan, documented in the person’s ITP, must include:

  • · Discharge criteria.
  • · Protocols for changing service when medically necessary.
  • · Information about how the transition will occur.
  • · The time allowed to make the transition.
  • · A description of how the person or their legal representative will be informed of and involved in the transition.
  • Completing DHS-7109A

    When the provider agency terminates services, the QSP should download and complete EIDBI transition and/or discharge summary, DHS-7109A electronically. For more information, including instructions to complete the form, refer to the DHS-7109A section on EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109.

    Note: DHS-7109A is separate from the transition plan documented in the person’s ITP.

    Additional resources

    EIDBI – Clinical supervision
    EIDBI – CMDE
    EIDBI – Comparison of CTSS and EIDBI benefits
    EIDBI – Coordinated care conference
    EIDBI – Eligibility for EIDBI services
    EIDBI – Family/caregiver training and counseling
    EIDBI – Health service records
    EIDBI – How to complete CMDE Medical Necessity Summary Information, DHS-7108
    EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109
    EIDBI – Intervention
    EIDBI – ITP development and progress monitoring
    EIDBI – Medical necessity criteria
    EIDBI – Observation and direction
    EIDBI – Overview of EIDBI providers
    EIDBI – Rights and responsibilities
    EIDBI – Settings for EIDBI services
    EIDBI – Telehealth services
    EIDBI – Travel time to deliver EIDBI services
    CBSM – Person-centered practices
    DHS – MHCP Provider Directory
    DHS – Minnesota National Correct Coding Initiative
    MHCP Provider Manual – EIDBI billing
    MHCP Provider Manual – EIDBI service authorization
    Minnesota Autism Resource Portal – Education – Collaboration resources

    Forms

    CMDE Medical Necessity Summary Information, DHS-7108
    EIDBI Authorization Request, DHS-3806
    EIDBI ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109
    EIDBI Transition and/or Discharge Summary, DHS-7109A
    General Consent/Authorization for Release of Information, DHS-3549 (PDF)

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