News
Children’s Health Coverage Programs in California
CSBA’s Practi-Cal has provided consulting and billing services to school districts for the past 15 years. We wanted to offer additional opportunities for our clientele to receive valuable funding. By performing healthcare outreach for children in your school district you can earn revenue and create healthier children.
The state of California has a variety of healthcare outreach programs that serve specific populations with serious healthcare needs and limited access to care. Citizens and communities need to have information and tools that enable them to take steps toward protecting their children from health threats ensuring every child’s health needs are met. Below are links to many of the health care programs available to the residents of California. We urge you to forward this information to your staff and families to help those who are in need of these services obtain the health care they deserve.
To find out more information clink on the links provided:
- Healthy Families Program Information
- Medi-Cal Programs and Services
- Dental Healthcare (Denti-Cal) (Not DHCS)
- California Children's Services (CCS)
- Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program
- Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP)
- Hearing Conservation Program (HCP)
- Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC)
- High Risk Infant Follow Up (HRIF)
- Medical Therapy Program (MTP)
- Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NHSP)
- Neonatal Quality Improvement Initiative (NQI)
- Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC)
California Health Care Outreach for Children
California now has the largest number of people without health insurance — 6.9 million — of any state in the nation.
Unfortunately 14% of California’s uninsured are children who make up almost 30% of the population. Surprisingly 76% of California’s uninsured children are eligible for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families programs. This lack of coverage impacts access to prescription medication, preventive care and necessary vaccines.
Through public health insurance outreach we can connect families and students to such great programs as Healthy Families, for families that have "middle" income. For those with low income Medi-Cal is available at little or no costs.
In addition to connecting families to these programs, explaining the application process and helping to complete applications can be a tremendous help to individuals and families with limited literacy or familiarity with seeking public assistance. Finally, following-up will ensure that eligible families continue to maintain their child’s health benefits. These activities are all reimbursable under the MAA Program and can help earn your School District unrestricted federal reimbursement to be used for things such as salaries, supplies and maintenance. But more importantly it can provide a child with much needed health care coverage.
CSBA's Practi-Cal Online MAA training via Webinar is Proven Successful!
In addition to our personalized trainings at your school district site by site, we will continue to offer the option of online MAA training via webinar from the comfort of your office or class room.
Training via webinar requires a computer with the most recent version of Java downloaded and for audio purposes (speakers or a headset). The online MAA training will take approximately 30 minutes with an interactive Q&A at the end of each session via chat. To ensure all MAA participants are fully comfortable with the process of completing and submitting a live survey the webinar trainer will create a mock survey using our web-based module at www.practi-cal.com.
CSBA works with State Legislature to Mitigate Potential Funding Shortfalls
With a potential $9.2 billion gap within the 2012/13 state budget, state schools are confronted with the possibility of more budget cuts and funding shortfalls. The California School Boards Association is working with the State Legislature to ensure that needs of public schools are properly considered in the event that the Governor’s budget proposals are unsuccessful in bridging the gap and tax increases are not approved by voters.
What is at stake for California K-12 schools is an additional $2.4 billion in funding revenue for 2012/13; dependent upon tax increases for the upcoming fiscal year, with these funds supplementing Proposition 98 budget guarantees. “We will also work vigorously against any attempts to undermine the constitutional requirements for school funding guaranteed by Proposition 98,” said CSBA Executive Director Vernon Billy.
Sources:
- CSBA School News, January 10, 2012
- Sacramento Bee, January 12, 2012
NEW Webinar MAA Trainings
We are pleased to announce our new Webinar MAA Trainings to give you the detailed training you need and offer you job specific and individual trainings with more flexibility around your schedule. We are here to help improve your MAA participation ensuring your school receives maximum revenue reimbursement. Based on a participant’s familiarity with the MAA program a training can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. Please contact your MAA Consultant at Practi-Cal or call (888) 944-7798 to schedule your annual MAA Training via Webinar.
Important reminder: All MAA participants whom have not yet received their annual training should schedule this prior to the second quarter Time Survey period which begins on Monday, November 14th, 2011 for five consecutive days while students are in session.
Feds Propose To Relax Parental Consent Regulations
School districts have been receiving information on new proposed regulation regarding gaining parental consent to access public benefit information to claim for related services identified in a student’s IEP. This proposed rule would make claiming for IEP-related services administratively easier for school districts, while still protecting the rights on parents.
As a part of IDEA Part B 2006, direction was provided requiring LEAs to receive parental consent each time a child's public benefits were accessed. This regulation caused quite a stir in education as the requirement pushed the burden of compliance too high for many school districts.
In 2007, the Department of Education released a position letter that stated school districts could gain a parent’s consent once each time services were authorized. This meant school districts would only need to gain a parent’s permission once a year, unless services changed during the school year. While this new direction reduced some of the administrative burden, it still poses a difficult task for district staff to explain the positive benefits for the student and the district in its ability to provide special education services.
Through advocacy with the Department of Education, a new proposed rule has been published amending 34 CFR Part 300 and is currently open for public comment. The proposed amendment—Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities—suggests amending the requirement for signed consent prior to accessing public benefit information, to informing parents of the possibility of accessing the student’s public benefits information. The new regulation would allow districts to add language in the IEP that could be inclusive in other areas of consent.
The proposed rule still allows parents to withdraw consent, but puts the responsibility on the parent to notify the school district that they are withdrawing consent for accessing public benefits for their child. The rule will also continue to ensure that a family’s benefits are not affected by any reimbursements received by school districts.
Here are the highlights:
- Part 300—Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities
- 2. Section 300.154 is amended by revising paragraph (d)(2)(iv).
- (iv) Prior to accessing a child's or parent's public benefits or insurance, must provide written notification, consistent with § 300.503(c), to the child's parents. The notification must include:
- A statement that parental consent must be obtained under 34 CFR part 99 and § 300.622 before the public agency discloses, for billing purposes, their child's personally identifiable information to the agency responsible for the administration of the State's public benefits or insurance o program (e.g., Medicaid);
- A statement of the “no cost” provisions in § 300.154(d)(2)(i)-(iii);
- A statement that the parents have the right under 34 CFR part 99 to withdraw their consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information to the agency responsible for the administration of the State's public benefits or insurance program (e.g., Medicaid) at any time.
- A statement that withdrawal of consent or refusal to provide consent under 34 CFR part 99 and § 300.622 to disclosure of personally identifiable information to the agency responsible for the administration of the State's public benefits or insurance program (e.g., Medicaid) does not relieve the public agency of its responsibility to ensure that all required services are provided at no cost to the parents.
In summary, this proposed rule would make claiming for IEP-related services administratively easier for school districts, while still protecting parents’ rights.
We encourage schools and individuals to submit comments in support of this proposed rule. The deadline for comments is December 12, 2011.
Submitting a comment. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and select "submit a comment" and choose "proposed rule" from the drop down menu. You can use either of the following search criteria below to easily find the proposed rule; Assistance To States For The Education Of Children With Disabilities:
- 300.154
- ED-2011-OSERS-0012
Postal Mail, Commercial Delivery, or Hand Delivery. If you mail or deliver your comments about these proposed regulations, address them to Jennifer Sheehy, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW., room 5103, Potomac Center Plaza, Washington, DC 20202-2600.
Autism Speaks Develops FAQs on the New Autism Insurance Law
To help guide parents and health care consumers, the Government Relations staff has developed a Frequently Asked Questions document now available online here
State Insurance Commissioner: Autism Benefits 'Long Overdue'
SACRAMENTO (Oct. 11, 2011) -- California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones applauded Governor Jerry Brown's signing of SB 946, the autism insurance reform bill, as "long overdue" recognition that behavioral treatments should be treated as covered medical benefits. The state Insurance Department took a leading role in arguing that behavioral intervention therapies, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), should be viewed as a mandated treatment under California's Mental Health Parity Act (Act). Read more...
Students and Schools Need "MAA" Now More Than Ever!
Every child deserves a healthy start in life and with the help of caring families, schools, and communities, linking students with the Medi-Cal program can make all the difference in their health, education and attitude. Consider these facts from the Children’s Defense Fund:
- There are over one million California children without health coverage.
- When children lose health coverage, state and local costs rise due to more frequent use of emergency rooms.
- An uninsured child is almost nine times as likely to have a medical need that goes unmet as a child with health coverage.
Medi-Cal Administrative Activities "MAA" are activities school employees most likely already perform on a regular basis. School employees treat students on a daily basis for health related needs; often times having to contact the parent and refer the student for additional medical care. This may be for physical, mental or emotional needs, or could involve dental or vision issues. When employees provide these referrals or outreach, they are doing a MAA activity. These referrals can be formal or informal, direct or indirect. When speaking with a parent, they may offer a list of clinics that provide free or reduced cost health services. They may refer the student to one of the school site providers such as a psychologist or speech therapist. Often times, they may consult or collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals about health services being provided to students, and follow-up on referrals they have made. These also are MAA reimbursable activities. If they attend an IEP meeting where health services are discussed, the time discussing the health service is also reimbursable time. Time spent with families, helping to link them to health programs available in their communities, is not only good practice, but meets the criteria for reimbursement from Medi-Cal for the time they spend helping them gather information and/or complete an application. When they are involved in any activity concerning a student’s health during the course of the school year, they should be an active participant in the MAA program where the School District qualifies to receive unrestricted reimbursement from the Federal Government. School Districts can allocate much the revenue received back toward repairs, resources, supplies, workshops, training, etc.
To learn more ways to perform MAA outreach within your School District or if you want to participate in the program, please contact Practi-Cal at (888) 944-7798.
Innovative Ideas for Transferring AB 3632 Requirements from Mental Health to SELPAs
Responsibility for the mandates outlined in AB 3632 – Mental Health Services for Special Education Pupils – is now in the hands of California’s Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs) following the passing of the State budget. This new responsibility has inspired SELPA directors across the state to rethink how to provide their federally-mandated, IEP-driven services
Below are some innovative ideas worth sharing. While these examples are not an exhaustive list of what each director is doing, they are exceptional examples of how to meet student needs within a restricted budget:
- Mildred Browne of Mt. Diablo SELPA plans to re-open a recently closed middle school as a family center. The facility will be staffed by both educators and licensed mental health therapists to not only provide for students, but also for families, thus reducing the need for 24 hour residential care.
- Bob Farran of Southwest SELPA (Los Angeles County) has developed an extended-day program. The program operates until 6:00 p.m. each school day and provides support to both the student and the family, which reduces the need for residential placements.
- Ron Powell of Desert/Mountain SELPA has, for many years, implemented school-based mental health services to students with disabilities. The SELPA operates as a school-based mental health clinic under the Early Periodic, Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program.
MAA Planning Meetings
Have you scheduled an annual planning meeting with your Practi-Cal district representative?
If not, now is the time to start planning for the new school year and discuss strategies that can increase revenue and participation in the MAA program. Practi-Cal district representatives can provide you with a valuable and informative analysis of your district’s program revenues from past and present, along with recommendations to reach your goals! For more information, contact us at (888) 944-7798.
Random Moment Time Survey (RMTS)
CDHCS recently released guidance for Local Education Agencies on the new MAA time claiming process of Random Moment Time Survey (RMTS). According to the information provided, school districts must have a written plan modeled after the Los Angeles Unified School District’s plan and approved by CDHCS in order to participate in RMTS, as LAUSD is the only California school district approved to perform MAA using RMTS. Upon plan approval, school districts may begin using the new claiming method in the first quarter of 2012-2013.
While this new method is optional, the intent is to streamline the claiming process and relieve some of the program burden from time survey participants. Because RMTS is new to California and limited guidance has been provided by CDHCS, the long-term success of the new method is not guaranteed. Practi-Cal remains at the forefront of these changes and will continue to advise clients of any new changes resulting from the RMTS process. For more information, contact us at (888) 944-7798.
CRCS UPDATE
The California Department of Health Care Services, on behalf of participating school districts, provided LEA Billing Option Program Cost and Reimbursement Comparison Schedule (CRCS) documentation update training in May. The main function of California’s CRCS report is to provide total estimated costs of LEA services provided in relation to the reimbursement received by California school districts.
The training focused on requirements for documenting costs of special education-related health services provided to California students, and included a review of financial and program documentation needed to complete the report and recommendation to create a CRCS audit binder. The full training curriculum is available for download on the California Department of Health Care Services LEA Billing Option Website.>
LEA Billing Option Program CRCS Training Highlights
The California Department of Health Care Services has provided important information regarding future CRCS reporting requirements.
Records retention
CRCS supporting documentation such as financial and payroll reports should be kept on file for three years after filing the CRCS report with DHCS. As the filing date is 15 months after the end of the fiscal year, districts should retain CRCS supporting documentation for a period of 4.5 years after the end of the fiscal year in which costs were incurred.- ie. CRCS FYE 6/30/09 is due no later than 11/30/10. Records should therefore be retained until 11/30/13.
CRCS audits
Health program auditors from the Financial Audits Branch (FAB) will conduct an audit of either the Desk Review or Field Review submitted with the CRCS report.- Each district will be contacted by the FAB department via mail or telephone in relation to the audit to be performed and requested documentation. For audit questions or concerns, contact your LEA representative or DHCS.
IRUS report
California Department of Health Care Services will no longer provide the Interim Reimbursement and Unit of Service Report or the IRUS Report after this fiscal year.- Beginning FY July 1, 2011, participating LEA agencies must provide this information from internal or contracted accounting systems in order to complete the CRCS Report. As the IRUS report is imperative to complete the CRCS report, districts were encouraged to ensure this process was in place before June 30, 2011.
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What's New
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2011/12 Time Survey Periods are:
* 1st : Sep 6, 2011 - Sep 12, 2011
* 2nd : Nov 14, 2011 - Nov 18, 2011
* 3rd : Jan 30, 2012 - Feb 3, 2012 -
2010/11 Time Survey Periods are:
* 1st : Aug 4, 2010 - Aug 10, 2010
* 2nd : Dec 2, 2010 - Dec 8, 2010
* 3rd : Jan 25, 2011 - Jan 31, 2011
* 4th : Apr 26, 2011 - May 2, 2011 - We are pleased to announce our new Webinar MAA Trainings to give you the detailed training you need and offer you job specific and individual trainings with more flexibility around your schedule... read more
News
- Children’s Health Coverage Programs in California...Read More
- California now has the largest number of people without health insurance — 6.9 million — of any state in the nation...read more
- CSBA's Practi-Cal Online MAA training via Webinar is Proven Successful...read more
- CSBA works with State Legislature to Mitigate Potential Funding Shortfalls...read more
- Feds Propose To Relax Parental Consent Regulations...read more
- Autism Speaks Develops FAQs on the New Autism Insurance Law...read more
- State Insurance Commissioner: Autism Benefits 'Long Overdue'...read more
- Every child deserves a healthy start in life and with the help of caring families, schools, and communities...read more
- Innovative Ideas for Transferring AB 3632 Requirements from Mental Health to SELPAs... read more
- Have you scheduled an annual planning meeting with your Practi-Cal district representative?... read more
- CDHCS recently released guidance for Local Education Agencies on the new MAA time claiming process of Random Moment Time Survey (RMTS). According to the information provided... read more
- The California Department of Health Care Services, on behalf of participating school districts, provided LEA Billing Option Program Cost and Reimbursement Comparison Schedule (CRCS) documentation update training in May... read more
- The California Department of Health Care Services has provided important information regarding future CRCS reporting requirements... read more
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2011/12 Time Survey Periods are: