PALS Meeting Minutes
March 22, 2017 6:30 p.m.
Lauri Ann West Community Library
1212 Main Street Pittsburgh, PA 15211
There is an immense amount of information regarding the School Based Access Program (SBAP). The information is designed to communicate with the organizations seeking funding, not parents. Our discussion focused mostly on how a school district receives funding through a students' Medical Assistance. Below are some key take aways from our conversation and elements of SBAP.
What is SBAP?
The School-Based ACCESS Program (SBAP) is a program where Local Education Agencies (LEA) (schools) can recover federal Medicaid funds for providing certain health-related services to special education students who are enrolled in the Medical Assistance (MA) Program.
Who can gain access to a student's Medical Assistance benefits?
The LEA can be one of the following:
School Districts
Charter Schools
Intermediate Units
Vocational-Technical Schools
Preschool Early Intervention Programs
How do these organizations gain access to a student's Medical Assistance benefits?
Parents/Caregivers must provide their consent only once allowing a school district to access their child's MA benefits to gain reimbursement through SBAP. The consent form, along with a notice are normally provided to parents/caregivers to sign during the student's initial IEP meeting. Consent can be rescinded by the parent/caregiver at any time with no repercussions to the services the student is receiving. Examples of these documents:
What are the components of SBAP?
Direct Services and Special Transportation Claiming
Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC)
Random Moment Time Studies (RMTS)
Annual Cost Reconciliation and Settlement
What health related services can a LEA bill the student's MA for?
Assistive Technology Devices
Audiology Services
Hearing-Impaired Services
Nursing Services
Nurse Practitioner Services
Occupational Therapy Services
Orientation, Mobility and Vision Services
Personal Care Services
Physical Therapy Services
Physician Services
Psychiatric Services
Psychological Services
Social Work Services
Special Transportation Services
Speech and Language Services
The latest School Based Access Program Handbook from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, February 2017.
If you are interested in delving further into SBAP, the Public Consulting Group (PCG) offers a number of training opportunities each year.
For further information on SBAP, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services School Based Access Program website.
Next Meeting: April 26, 2017, 9:30 a.m. Roots of Faith 800 Main Street Pittsburgh, PA 15215
Topic: Open Forum