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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The TAC welcomes all inquiries related to Medicaid School-Based Services in our mailbox at SchoolBasedServices@cms.hhs.gov. We will provide all the technical assistance we can and will advise contacting the State Medicaid or Education agency if further guidance is needed due to State-specific regulations.
The TAC’s upcoming events with registration information can be found here: Upcoming Events | Medicaid. Registration links will also be provided via email. Individuals from SMAs, SEAs, LEAs or school-based entities are invited to email the TAC at SchoolBasedServices@cms.hhs.gov to be added to the distribution list. For those unable to attend, recordings of webinars will be posted two weeks after the event here: Past Events | Medicaid. Those registered for the webinar will be sent the recording when it becomes available.
The TAC is working to compile best practices from States and work with SEAs, LEAs, and SMAs to come up with ways to expand school-based services. EPSDT is a guarantee of coverage for certain benefits for EPSDT-eligible beneficiaries, but not an independent Medicaid service. The TAC plans to cover the subject of EPSDT during webinar in 2024. Additional information on the EPSDT benefit can be found here: Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment
The TAC is actively collaborating with SMAs, advocates, and LEAs to gather insight and opinions on various topics, with the aim of formulating best practices for SBS policies. Through a series of webinars and virtual meetings, the TAC will explore and address a diverse range of subjects to inform best practices in Medicaid SBS and service implementation. Additionally, the TAC is in the process of creating resource materials to aid LEAs and SEAs in effectively managing SBS programs.
All inquiries for the TAC and CMS regarding Medicaid School-Based Services and the 2023 Comprehensive Guide to Medicaid Services and Administrative Claiming should be directed to the TAC mailbox at SchoolBasedServices@cms.hhs.gov. More information on where to send SPA submission packages, including submission systems, pages, and CMS 179 Forms, can be found on Slide 9 of the following CMS Training Slides: https://www.medicaid.gov/state-resource-center/downloads/spa-and-1915-waiver-processing/training-slides.pdf
Generally, the TAC goals are to:
- Support SMAs, SEAs, LEAs, and school-based entities seeking to expand their capacity for providing Medicaid SBS.
- Help states reduce administrative burden and simplify billing for, LEAs, in particular small and rural LEAs, and support compliance with Federal requirements regarding billing, payment, and recordkeeping, including by aligning direct service billing and school-based administrative claiming payment systems.
- Support state entities in obtaining reimbursement for providing and expanding Medicaid SBS, including a comprehensive list of best practices and examples of approved methods that SMAs and LEAs have used to pay for, and increase the availability of, assistance under Medicaid, including expanding State programs to include all Medicaid-enrolled students, providing EPSDT services in schools, utilizing telehealth, coordinating with community-based mental health and substance use disorder treatment providers and organizations, coordinating with managed care entities, and supporting the provision of culturally competent and trauma-informed care in school settings
- Ensure ongoing coordination and collaboration between states, ED, and CMS regarding Medicaid SBS.
- Provide guidance with regard to utilization of various funding sources.
Please email the TAC at SchoolBasedServices@cms.hhs.gov for any questions about Medicaid SBS or technical assistance.