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Medicaid Contract Purchasing Specifications

User Guide for Service Coordination with School Health1

The sample purchasing specifications include numerous provisions addressing a wide range of issues for Medicaid-eligible children and adolescents. The review process focused on specific policies for school health issues, including how IEPs and IFSPs can be coordinated with a child's traditional medical services.2 The following provisions may be of particular interest to purchasers interested in issues around school health issues. The provisions are listed in alphabetical order.

IEPs and IFSPs

Coordination of Benefits:

§105A(a)(2) of Part 1A sets forth obligations of Contractor relating to enrolled children with IEPs and IFSPs.

Coverage Determinations:

§101A(b)(7) relates to provisions of an IEP or an IFSP as evidence to be considered in making coverage determinations.

§101A(c)(5) specifies prohibited grounds for denial or exclusion of services with respect to an enrolled child in an IEP or an IFSP.

§102A(f)(3) specifies personnel qualified to make coverage determinations for an enrolled child with an IEP or an IFSP.

Covered Services:

§202(b) relates to the Contractor's duties to furnish covered services (that are also in the IEP or IFSP) to children under an IEP or IFSP at the time of enrollment.

Definitions:

§1401(o) defines an individual educational program (IEP) as a plan of services developed by an educational agency which sets forth the special education, health, medical, and other related services required by a child.

§1401(p) defines an individualized family services plan (IFSP) as a plan of services developed by an early intervention agency which sets forth the early intervention services required by a child and the child's family or caregiver.

MOU:

§706(b) of Part 7 relates to the financial and administrative responsibilities enumerated in a memorandum of understanding regarding the implementation of IEPs and IFSPs for enrolled children.

Prior Authorization:

§103A(d)(8) of Part 1A relates to the exclusion of services provided under an IEP or an IFSP from Contractor's prior authorization restrictions.

School-based Health Services: §005(g) of the Overview relates to an enrolled child's right to receive covered services from any school-based health center and Contractor's duty with respect to payment for school-based services received by enrolled children from out-of-network providers.

Coverage Determinations:

§101A(c)(7) specifies prohibited grounds for denial or exclusion of services with respect to services provided in a school setting.

School-based Providers

Network Participation:

§507 of Part 5 relates to the participation of school-based health and related service providers in Contractor's provider network and referral arrangements to school-based health centers.


Endnotes

  1. See also HCFAÚs Letter to State Medicaid Directors on reimbursement for school-based health services under Medicaid, www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/smd52199 and the August 1997 Technical Assistance Guide on Medicaid and School Health, www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/scbintro.htm.
  2. For additional provisions, see Optional Specifications: Medicaid Managed Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs (forthcoming, CHSRP).