Reimbursement of behavioral health services in school-based settings under the Medical Assistance program. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

Previously, under federal law, services that were provided to a Medical Assistance recipient that were available without charge to the recipient or that were obligated to be paid by a third party were generally not covered under the Medical Assistance program. This policy was interpreted by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to generally prevent schools from receiving reimbursement for services provided to students who were enrolled under the Medical Assistance program if the school did not bill for those services or if the school was obligated to provide the services, even if the services provided were otherwise reimbursable under the Medical Assistance program. CMS withdrew its prior guidance on this policy on December 15, 2014.

This bill requires the Department of Health Services to submit to the federal Department of Health and Human Services a state plan amendment to allow any school to seek reimbursement under the Medical Assistance program for behavioral health services provided in a school-based setting to a student who is a Medical Assistance recipient that would otherwise be covered under the Medical Assistance program. The Medical Assistance program is a joint federal and state program that provides health services to individuals who have limited financial resources.

Who's behind it

2 senators are its authors⁠. All 2 are Republicans.

10 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DHS