Auth
Short for “Authorization” in conversations about insurance
Authorization
Approval from the insurance company to receive treatment through a clinic or home health agency
CCB
Short for “Community Centered Boards”
Community Centered Boards
This is your first stop for children under 3. Each county has an agency that coordinates services for children with developmental disabilities. They help get your child evaluated, coordinate services, and provide funding.
Child Find Colorado
Child Find is part of Colorado’s system for identifying children suspected of having a delay in development.
CPT codes
Codes used by insurance companies to describe billed services.
Diagnosis
When seeking services, you will eventually need a diagnosis from a medical professional. Making an appointment with your child’s primary care provider is a good first step.
EI
Short for “Early Intervention”
Early Intervention
Services provided by the state of Colorado for children from birth to 3 with a diagnosed developmental delay.
Eligibility
Eligible means your child qualifies for services; ineligible means they don’t qualify for services based on an evaluation or examination.
Evaluation
Another critical step to getting services, an evaluation conducted by a therapist determines what services your child needs. The outcome may be a recommendation for Speech, Physical, or Occupational Therapy.
ICD-10
Medical diagnosis codes
IEP
Individualized Education Plan
Individualized Education Plan
Document outlining Public School services for a child with disabilities ages 3-21
IFSP – Individualized Family Service Plan
For child under 3, Document outlining services for a child with disabilities drafted by your CCB
Medicaid
For children or adults with special needs
Medicare
For people over the age of 65
PAR
Medicaid’s term for getting a Pre-Authorization, stands for Prior Authorization Request.
PCP
Primary Care Physician is your child’s doctor or provider such as PA or NP. All therapies must have a prescription by law in Colorado, so you’ll be asked the name of your child’s PCP.
Pre-authorization
Some insurances require you to get authorization from them before you start treatment. McLellan Homecare does this step for you.
Pre-certification
Another term used but usually means the same as Pre-authorization
Primary Care Physician
Primary Care Physician is your child’s doctor or provider such as PA or NP. All therapies must have a prescription by law in Colorado, so you’ll be asked the name of your child’s PCP.
Primary Care Provider
Another term for Primary Care Physician
Primary provider
Sometimes used to mean your child’s doctor, other times used to mean your child’s primary therapist. Check to make sure you are on the same page.
Prior Authorization or Prior Auth
Another term for Pre-authorization, also shortened to Prior Aut or PAR.
Referral
Your doctor can refer your child to services such as Child Find, an Early Intervention program run by your county (CCB), or directly to a therapist. It’s a critical step in getting services for your child.
Service Coordinator
WIthin the CCB, a Service Coordinator will coordinate services while
Service Provider
General term for all types of therapists.
504 plan
In public schools, age 3-21, a plan to address medical needs while at school including accommodations such as extra time to complete tasks or nursing intervention.
