FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 2014

                                  C 400 L 89

BYHouse Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Peery, Locke, Valle, Winsley, Crane and O'Brien)

Revising provisions for special education programs for handicapped children.

House Committe on Education

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Ways & Means

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

On July 1, 1988 the federal Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act was signed into law.  Although relating primarily to medicare, the federal legislation also amended Title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow Medicaid payments for covered services provided by schools to handicapped children under an individual educational plan.

No process exists for school districts in the state to bill Medicaid for costs of medical services provided for eligible handicapped children.  The federal government reimburses the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) at a rate of 53 percent for Medicaid payments under Title XIX of the Social Security Act.

SUMMARY:

School districts may receive medical assistance payments for eligible medical services provided to students in handicapped education programs.  The state share of these medical assistance payments will be reimbursed from state handicapped education appropriations, but will also generate federal matching funds once a billing system for Medicaid payments is implemented.

The billing system for school districts to receive Medicaid payments will be implemented during the 1990-91 school year, but may be phased in by region.  The intent is that the system be in operation in selected regions of the state during the first half of the 1990-91 school year.  The billing system is to be extended state- wide prior to the start of the 1991-92 school year.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) have joint responsibility for planning and development of the system, and may contract with educational service districts or other organizations for billing services.  The planning process will include consideration of whether the state's medical assistance plan should expand coverage for services provided to children.  SPI and DSHS must submit a joint progress report to the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways & Means Committee before January 15, 1990.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 98   0

      Senate    41     0 (Senate amended)

      House 97   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 23, 1989