CMS Releases Guide to Expand Medicaid Services in School-Based Settings

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a comprehensive guide aimed at improving the delivery of Medicaid-covered services in school-based settings. Developed in consultation with the U.S. Department of Education, this guide supports the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) under the Biden-Harris Administration.

The purpose of the guide is to simplify the process of receiving payment for Medicaid-covered services in schools, regardless of their size or available resources. By adopting the flexibilities outlined in the guide, states can reduce administrative burdens for schools, enabling them to provide more services to children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This ultimately improves health care access, especially for children in small, rural, and under-resourced schools.

The resource is significant as Medicaid and CHIP already provide health coverage for over 41 million children in the U.S. By delivering health care services in schools, where children spend a significant amount of time, essential care can be provided to those in need. It also strengthens the connection between education and health care, ensuring eligible children receive the services they require.

The guide clarifies and expands upon CMS guidance, providing schools and states with the necessary information to navigate payment processes, simplify billing procedures, utilize approved payment methods, and enroll qualified health care providers within school settings.

View the full guide or the informational bulletin for more information.