HHS announces final rule to eliminate Federal Medicaid payment for costs of certain school-based administrative and transportation activities
On December 28, the Federal Register included the final rule from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to eliminate Federal Medicaid payment for the costs of certain school-based administrative and transportation activities. The rule will go into effect on February 26, 2008.
Although 1,240 public comments were submitted on the proposed rule, the Secretary determined that these activities are not necessary for the proper and efficient administration of the Medicaid State plan and are not within the definition of the optional transportation benefit. As a result, Federal Medicaid payments will no longer be available for administrative activities performed by school employees or contractors, or anyone under the control of a public or private educational institution, and for transportation from home to school.
The final rule includes responses to public comments received on the proposed rule. Read the final rule: Federal Register: Medicaid Program; Elimination of Reimbursement Under Medicaid for School Administration Expenditures and Costs Related to Transportation of School-Age Children Between Home and School
OLRS would like to hear from those individuals who will be adversely affected by this new rule. Please contact the OLRS Intake department if you think you will lose a Medicaid benefit by calling (voice) 614-466-7264 or 1-800-282-9181; (TTY) 614-728-2553 or 1-800-858-3542. You can also download an Intake Form from the OLRS Web site (see Need our help?).
Disability advocates are unclear about how the implementation of this rule can be reconciled with the moratorium imposed by Congress to delay the effective date by six months (June 30, 2008). Read more about the moratorium: Congress passes moratorium on implementing proposed rules related to Medicaid rehabilitative services and school-based services
Article posted December 28, 2007
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