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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions are used to provide additional information and/or statutory guidance not found in State Medicaid Director Letters, State Health Official Letters, or CMCS Informational Bulletins. The different sets of FAQs as originally released can be accessed below.

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What documentation is required for claiming FFP for Medicaid SBS? Does service documentation need to include the Medicaid enrollment status of an individual practitioner (not just the LEA)?

As stated on page 91 of the 2023 Comprehensive Guide to Medicaid Services and Administrative Claiming, as required by CMS, the supporting documentation file for each claim of FFP must include, at a minimum, the following:

  • Date of service
  • Name of recipient
  • Medicaid identification number
  • Name of provider agency and person providing the service
  • Nature, extent, or units of service
  • Place of service

Within an IEP many of the above requirements may be found, including:

  • Name of recipient/child
  • Eligibility for IDEA services and the child’s present level of achievement
  • Name of provider agency/LEA
  • Nature, extent, or units of service (called the frequency and duration of services)
  • Place of service (called either the location or placement)

LEAs should review their State’s guidance for service documentation. Many States require additional information beyond the CMS requirements, such as a diagnosis code.

FAQ ID:162371

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If an RMTS activity indicates the delivery of an evaluation (psychological, therapy, etc.) where medical necessity is determined through documentation, but no plan is developed, is code 4C the appropriate code?

If medical necessity has been determined, Code 4C. Direct Medical Services – Covered on a Medical Plan of Care, Not Covered as IDEA/IEP Service is the correct code. This code should be used when district staff (employees or contracted staff) provide covered direct medical services under the SBS Program where documented on a medical plan other than an IEP/IFSP or where medical necessity has been otherwise established.

FAQ ID:162396

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Given that LEAs no longer use Social Security numbers for identifying students, finding Medicaid identification numbers for students and determining Medicaid eligibility has become challenging. How are CMS and the SBS Technical Assistance Center addressing this issue?

The system used to identify Medicaid members is unique to each State. The Technical Assistance Center can help with research and work with States to identify best practices to address this issue. We recommend the SMA work with LEAs to develop an integrated system used by both entities.

FAQ ID:162406

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Can Medicaid covered services furnished in schools be delivered through telehealth?

States have broad flexibility to determine what services can be delivered via telehealth. Further information can be found in the Telehealth Toolkits (COVID-19 & February 2024 Versions), accessible through this link: State Medicaid and CHIP Telehealth Toolkits landing page.

FAQ ID:162401

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Does CMS have suggestions for how to ensure that procedural and diagnostic coding for specific services in the school setting are the same as in other settings?

There are no federal requirements for Current Procedural Terminology or International Classification of Diseases codes for Medicaid billing. States may have their own requirements, however. We advise communication between SMAs, SEAs, and LEAs within a State to ensure proper SBS coding guidance.

FAQ ID:162381

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Are states only required to conduct Upper Payment Limit (UPL) demonstrations for services with approved state plan supplemental payment methodologies?

No, an upper payment limit demonstration considers all Medicaid payments (base and supplemental). States must conduct UPL demonstrations for the applicable services described in State Medicaid Director Letter (SMDL) 13-003 regardless of whether a state makes supplemental payments under the Medicaid state plan for the services.

FAQ ID:92191

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How and when should the Medicaid hospital tax/provider assessment be included in the inpatient hospital template?

The cost of the tax should be reported in Variable 401 - MCD Provider Tax Cost. A state may separately report the Medicaid portion of the cost of a provider assessment/tax only when it is using a cost based methodology to calculate the UPL. A state may not include this cost when calculating a DRG or Payment based UPL demonstration.

FAQ ID:92366

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