Bill > H545

This bill modifies Massachusetts law to clarify and expand MassHealth (the state's Medicaid program) reimbursement for school-based services. The bill replaces the term "local government entity" with "local educational authority" in existing statutes and provides detailed guidelines for how schools can seek reimbursement for medical services provided to students. It defines key terms such as "school-based services" (medically necessary services covered by Medicaid), "school-age child" (individuals ages 3-22 who haven't graduated high school), and "school personnel" (staff like nurses, therapists, and counselors). The legislation requires the state's health and education executive offices to ensure local educational agencies can submit claims for MassHealth reimbursement for services provided to eligible students, regardless of whether the student is in a special education program. Importantly, the bill mandates that reimbursement proceeds must be used to fund school-based health services and cannot replace existing school health funding, with potential uses including behavioral health support, case management, health education, and school health infrastructure development.

Education, Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H545