SCHOOL-BASED ACCESS PROGRAM

Does your child receive special education or early intervention services and are they on a HealthChoices plan* or have Medical Assistance (Medicaid)?

If yes to both, your child’s school or Intermediate Unit (IU) may be receiving funds through Medical Assistance under a special program for some special education and early intervention services.**

These services include in-school nursing and personal care aides.***

The services for which school districts and IUs get Medical Assistance funds are in addition to any services your child receives outside of school paid for by the child’s HealthChoices plan or regular Medical Assistance.

Over half of Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance (Medicaid) funds, including these special funds for schools and IUs, come from the federal government. Significant cuts to federal Medicaid funding are contained in a recent federal law--HR1.  Unless Congress changes this law, these cuts will go into effect in the next three years. Pennsylvania doesn’t have the money to make up the loss of those federal funds so the state will have to reduce funding for some Medicaid programs--which may include this program which provides the additional funds to schools and IUs for special education and early intervention.

*The HealthChoices plans are: Amerihealth Caritas PA; Geisinger GHP Family; Health Partners Plans (not CHIP); Highmark Wholecare; Keystone First (not CHIP); United Healthcare Community Plan; and UPMC for You.

**The special program is called the “School-Based Access Program.” School districts and IUs are eligible to enroll and then bill a contractor for certain special education and early intervention services provided to students on HealthChoices/Medical Assistance as specified in the student’s IEP. The federal Medicaid match for those services is paid to the school district or IU which supplements the school district’s or IU’s other special education funds.

*** For a list of other services billable by school districts and IUs under the School-Based Access Program and other information on this program, go to this link.

To VIEW the In Brief, click here