What Can Schools Bill Medicaid for

Schools can bill Medicaid for a variety of services that they provide to students with disabilities. These services can include occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, social work, counseling, and psychological services. They can also include special education instruction, assistive technology, and transportation. In order to bill Medicaid for these services, schools must first obtain a provider number from the state Medicaid agency. Once they have a provider number, they can submit claims for reimbursement for services that they have provided to students. The amount of reimbursement that schools receive for these services varies depending on the state in which they are located.

Educational Services for Students with Disabilities

Schools can bill Medicaid for a variety of educational services provided to students with disabilities. These services can help students with disabilities learn and progress in their education, and can also help them to participate in extracurricular activities and social events.

Some of the educational services that schools can bill Medicaid for include:

  • Individualized instruction
  • Special education classes
  • Speech therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Counseling
  • Assistive technology
  • Transportation
  • Extended school year services

In order to bill Medicaid for these services, schools must meet certain requirements. For example, schools must have a Medicaid provider number, and they must submit claims for services in a timely manner.

Schools that are able to bill Medicaid for educational services can receive reimbursement for these services, which can help to offset the costs of providing these services to students with disabilities. This can help to ensure that all students have access to the educational services they need to succeed.

Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for Educational Services

The amount that Medicaid will reimburse schools for educational services varies depending on the type of service and the student’s individual needs. However, some general information about Medicaid reimbursement rates for educational services is available.

ServiceReimbursement Rate
Individualized instruction$30-$60 per hour
Special education classes$20-$40 per hour
Speech therapy$25-$50 per hour
Occupational therapy$25-$50 per hour
Physical therapy$25-$50 per hour
Counseling$20-$40 per hour
Assistive technologyActual cost of the technology
TransportationActual cost of the transportation
Extended school year services$20-$40 per hour

It is important to note that these are just general reimbursement rates. The actual amount that Medicaid will reimburse schools for educational services may vary depending on a number of factors, such as the student’s individual needs, the school’s location, and the state’s Medicaid program.

Mental Health Services

Schools can bill Medicaid for a variety of mental health services provided to students. These services can help students with a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Mental health services that schools can bill Medicaid for include:

  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Medication management
  • Crisis intervention
  • Psychiatric evaluations
  • Psychological testing
  • Counseling
  • Social work services
  • Case management

To bill Medicaid for mental health services, schools must first obtain a Medicaid provider number and meet certain requirements. These requirements vary from state to state, but typically include:

  • Having a qualified mental health professional on staff
  • Providing services in a safe and appropriate setting
  • Maintaining accurate records of services provided
  • Submitting claims to Medicaid in a timely manner

Schools that meet these requirements can bill Medicaid for mental health services on a fee-for-service basis. This means that schools are reimbursed for each service they provide. The amount of reimbursement varies depending on the type of service provided and the state in which the school is located.

ServiceReimbursement Rate
Individual therapy$50-$100 per session
Group therapy$25-$50 per session
Family therapy$75-$125 per session
Medication management$25-$50 per month
Crisis intervention$100-$200 per incident
Psychiatric evaluations$150-$300 per evaluation
Psychological testing$100-$200 per test
Counseling$50-$75 per session
Social work services$50-$75 per hour
Case management$25-$50 per hour

Transportation to School

Schools can bill Medicaid for transportation to school for students with disabilities who need special transportation to attend school. This can include students who need:

  • Wheelchair-accessible vehicles
  • Transportation from home to school and from school to home
  • Transportation to and from related services, such as therapy or counseling

To bill Medicaid for transportation to school, schools must:

  • Have a written agreement with the Medicaid agency
  • Keep records of the transportation services provided
  • Submit claims to the Medicaid agency for reimbursement

Related Services

Schools can also bill Medicaid for related services that are necessary for a student with a disability to benefit from their education. These services can include:

  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Speech-language therapy
  • Psychological services
  • Counseling
  • Social work services

Related services must be provided by a qualified professional and must be necessary for the student to benefit from their education.

To bill Medicaid for related services, schools must:

  1. Have a written agreement with the Medicaid agency
  2. Keep records of the related services provided
  3. Submit claims to the Medicaid agency for reimbursement
Medicaid Reimbursement Rates for Transportation and Related Services
ServiceReimbursement Rate
Transportation to schoolVaries by state
Transportation to and from related servicesVaries by state
Occupational therapyVaries by state
Physical therapyVaries by state
Speech-language therapyVaries by state
Psychological servicesVaries by state
CounselingVaries by state
Social work servicesVaries by state

Occupational and Physical Therapy Services

Schools can provide a variety of occupational and physical therapy services to students with disabilities. These services can help students with disabilities access and participate in education, and can also help them to develop the skills they need to live independently.

    Occupational Therapy Services

  • Occupational therapists (OTs) work with students to develop the skills they need to perform everyday activities, such as eating, dressing, and bathing.
  • OTs can also help students to develop the cognitive skills they need to learn, such as problem-solving and memory.
  • Occupational therapy services can be provided in a variety of settings, including schools, homes, and hospitals.

    Physical Therapy Services

  • Physical therapists (PTs) work with students to improve their mobility and range of motion.
  • PTs can also help students to develop the strength and coordination they need to participate in everyday activities.
  • Physical therapy services can be provided in a variety of settings, including schools, homes, and hospitals.

The following table provides a more detailed list of occupational and physical therapy services that schools can bill Medicaid for:

Occupational Therapy ServicesPhysical Therapy Services
  • Activities of daily living training.
  • Sensory integration therapy.
  • Cognitive rehabilitation.
  • Vocational rehabilitation.
  • Home and community training.
  • Therapeutic exercise.
  • Gait training.
  • Range of motion exercises.
  • Strength training.
  • Balance training.

Thanks for sticking around until the end. I hope this short and sweet guide helped you understand how schools can bill Medicaid. Remember, these rules can be complex, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you have any specific questions. In the meantime, keep an eye out for new content on our website. We’re always working on new and exciting articles to help you stay informed and up-to-date on the latest happenings in education. See you next time!