Back to Wyoming

SF0079 • 2021

Medicaid billing for school-based services.

AN ACT relating to school finance; authorizing school districts to bill for school based services for Medicaid eligible students as specified; providing reimbursement to school districts for administrative costs; providing appropriations; authorizing a position; requiring reports; and providing for effective dates.

Budget Children Education
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Appropriations
Last action
2021-04-01
Official status
enrolled
Effective date
7/1/2021

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not specify exact dates and amounts for funding, leaving some uncertainty in these details.

Medicaid Billing for School Services

This law allows school districts to bill Medicaid for certain special education services provided to eligible students and requires reports on program implementation.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows school districts with Medicaid-eligible students receiving special education programs to bill the Wyoming Department of Health starting July 1, 2022.
  • Requires the Department of Health to provide payment to school districts for approved services as soon as reasonably practical.
  • Requires school districts to report the number of Medicaid-eligible students receiving special education and remit payments received from the Department of Health to the Department of Education by September 1 each year.
  • Provides funding and authorizes a position within the Department of Health to manage the billing program.
  • Requires two reports on the implementation of the Medicaid billing for school-based services program.

Who It Names or Affects

  • School districts with Medicaid-eligible students receiving special education programs
  • The Wyoming Department of Health and Education

Terms To Know

Medicaid
A federal health insurance program for people with limited income or resources.
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
A written plan that outlines the special education services a student will receive.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law does not specify how much funding each school district will receive.
  • Implementation details are still being determined and may vary by school district.
  • Reports on program implementation are required but do not guarantee changes or improvements to the program.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SF0079S2001

2nd reading • Senator Perkins

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment removes specific sections from the bill related to Medicaid billing for school-based services and makes minor adjustments to section numbering.

  • Removes lines 11 through 23 on page 6 of the original bill text.
  • Deletes lines 1 through 5 on page 7 of the original bill text.
  • Changes 'Section 5.' to 'Section 4.' at line 7 on page 7.
  • Inserts 'Section 5.' in place of deleted content at line 4 on page 8.
  • The amendment does not provide details about the specific content removed, which limits understanding of the full impact of these changes.
SF0079S3001

3rd reading • Senator Perkins

Adopted

Plain English: This amendment adds an authorization for a new full-time position within the Department of Health and modifies the bill's appropriations section to include this new position.

  • Adds language authorizing one full-time position in the Department of Health for the purposes specified in the act.
  • Modifies the existing appropriations section by inserting text that specifies the authorization of a new position before listing the monetary appropriation.
  • The exact duties and responsibilities of the newly authorized position are not detailed in the amendment text.
SF0079SW001

Committee of the Whole • Senator Perkins

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds language to ensure that appropriations from federal funds are used only for the purposes of implementing the bill.

  • Adds a new clause after 'from federal funds to the department of health' stating that these funds must be used only for implementing this act.
  • Inserts similar language on page 6, line 16, ensuring appropriations are used solely for implementing the act.
  • Deletes 'subsection' and replaces it with 'section' at page 6, line 23.
  • The amendment does not specify what happens if funds are misused or how compliance will be enforced.
SF0079SS001

Standing Committee • Senate Appropriations Committee

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment modifies the bill to remove certain provisions and adjust reporting requirements for Medicaid-eligible students receiving special education services.

  • Removed authorization for positions previously mentioned in the bill.
  • Added a new requirement for school districts to report the number of Medicaid-eligible students receiving special education programs starting from the 2022-2023 school year.
  • Adjusted the appropriation details, specifying how funds are allocated and used by the Department of Health.
  • The amendment text does not provide full context for all changes made, which may require reviewing the original bill to understand the complete impact.

Bill History

  1. 2021-04-01 LSO

    Assigned Chapter Number 60

  2. 2021-04-01 Governor

    Governor Signed SEA No. 0020

  3. 2021-03-30 House

    H Speaker Signed SEA No. 0020

  4. 2021-03-29 Senate

    S President Signed SEA No. 0020

  5. 2021-03-29 LSO

    Assigned Number SEA No. 0020

  6. 2021-03-29 House

    H 3rd Reading:Passed 55-5-0-0-0

  7. 2021-03-26 House

    H 2nd Reading:Passed

  8. 2021-03-25 House

    H COW:Passed

  9. 2021-03-23 House

    H Placed on General File

  10. 2021-03-23 House

    H04 - Education:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0

  11. 2021-03-17 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H04 - Education

  12. 2021-03-05 House

    H Received for Introduction

  13. 2021-03-05 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Passed 28-2-0-0-0

  14. 2021-03-04 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Laid Back

  15. 2021-03-03 Senate

    S 2nd Reading:Passed

  16. 2021-03-02 Senate

    S 2nd Reading:Laid Back

  17. 2021-03-01 Senate

    S COW:Passed

  18. 2021-03-01 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  19. 2021-03-01 Senate

    S02 - Appropriations:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0

  20. 2021-02-04 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S02 - Appropriations

  21. 2021-02-02 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  22. 2021-02-01 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 21LSO-0365
Bill No.:

SF0079

Effective:

Multiple Dates

LSO No.:

21LSO-0365

Enrolled Act No.:

SEA No. 0020

Chapter No.:

60

Prime Sponsor:

Joint Appropriations Committee

Catch Title:

Medicaid billing for school-based services.

Subject:

Billing Medicaid for school-based services.

Summary/Major Elements:

This act expands the state Medicaid program to include school-based services. These services include the services of school psychologists and school social workers and other school-based services provided pursuant to an individualized education plan.

The act authorizes school districts that have Medicaid-eligible students who receive special education programs and services to bill the Wyoming Department of Health for school-based services provided to those students. The Department of Health will provide payment to school districts for those services and then, by September 1 of the following school year, school districts will remit those payments to the Wyoming Department of Education. The remitted funds will be deposited in the School Foundation Program Account. School districts may begin billing the Department of Health for school-based services beginning July 1, 2022.

The act provides appropriations and authorizes a position to allow for administration of the program.

The act requires the Department of Health and the Department of Education to provide two (2) reports regarding implementation of the Medicaid billing for school-based services program. The reports are to be provided to the Joint Education Interim Committee, the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee and the Joint Appropriations Committee. The first report is due not later than October 1, 2021 and the second report is due not later than October 1, 2022.

Comments:
The act requires reports, as noted above.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
21LSO-0365

ORIGINAL Senate

File No
.
SF0079

ENROLLED ACT NO. 20,

SENATE

SIXTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2021 General Session

AN ACT relating to school finance; authorizing school districts to bill for school based services for Medicaid eligible students as specified; providing reimbursement to school districts for administrative costs; providing appropriations; authorizing a position; requiring reports; and providing for effective dates.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
321(b) and by creating new subsections (h) and (j) and 42
‑
4
‑
103(a) by creating new paragraphs (xxxiv) through (xxxvi) are amended to read:

21
‑
13
‑
321.

Special education; amount within foundation program formula for special education programs and services; district reporting requirements; billing for Medicaid authorized school based services.

(b)

The amount provided for special education within the education resource block grant model pursuant to W.S. 21
‑
13
‑
309(m)(v)(E)(II) shall be equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the amount actually expended by the district during the previous school year for special education programs and services
, which shall include the amount actually expended by the district during the previous school year for reasonable administrative costs to bill for authorized Medicaid services under subsection (h) of this section
.

The statewide total amount reimbursed under this section in school year 2019
‑
2020 or 2020
‑
2021 shall not exceed the statewide total amount reimbursed under this section in school year 2018
‑
2019, notwithstanding any additional appropriation for that purpose by the legislature.

(h)

Beginning July 1, 2022, each school district with Medicaid eligible students receiving special education programs and services, as calculated by the department of education pursuant to subsection (j) of this section, may bill the department of health for the costs of any special education program and service covered under W.S. 42
‑
4
‑
103(a)(xxxiv) through (xxxvi) provided to the district's students. The department of health shall provide payment to each eligible school district that has billed the department of health as soon as reasonably practical for the costs of approved services. By September 1 of each school year, each school district shall remit to the department of education all funds received during the prior school year from the department of health for billed services. The department of education shall remit all funds received under this subsection to the state treasurer for deposit in the school foundation program account.

(j)

A school district may report the number of Medicaid eligible students receiving special education programs and services enrolled within the school district on forms and in such manner required by the department for the 2021-2022 school year. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year and each school year thereafter, a school district shall report the number of Medicaid eligible students receiving special education programs and services enrolled within the school district on forms and in the manner required by the department. The number of Medicaid eligible students receiving special education programs and services for a school year shall be determined by the department of education using data from October 1 of the immediately preceding school year.

42
‑
4
‑
103.

Authorized services and supplies.

(a)

Services and supplies authorized for medical assistance under this chapter include:

(xxxiv)

The professional services of a school psychologist;

(xxxv)

The professional services of a school social worker;

(xxxvi)

School based services delivered pursuant to an individualized education program, including services:

(A)

Provided by an otherwise enrolled Medicaid provider type;

(B)

Provided by a licensed professional in a school setting; or

(C)

Otherwise covered under this chapter to support delivery of special education programs and services.

Section 2.

The director of the department of health, with the consent of the governor, shall negotiate with the United States department of health and human services regarding necessary amendments to the state Medicaid plan, or any necessary waiver under 42 U.S.C. § 1315, to provide the services specified under W.S. 42
‑
4
‑
103(a)(xxxiv) through (xxxvi), as created by this act. Any state Medicaid plan amendments or waiver under this subsection shall be effective July 1, 2022 or upon state plan or waiver approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, whichever is later.

Section 3.

The department of health is authorized

one (1) full-time position for the purposes of this act. There is appropriated one hundred forty-two thousand six hundred twenty-two dollars ($142,622.00) from the school foundation program account to the department of health. Additionally, there is appropriated one hundred forty-two thousand six hundred twenty-two dollars ($142,622.00) from federal funds to the department of health.

These appropriations shall be used only for the purposes of implementing this act. Not more than one hundred eighty-seven thousand five hundred eighty-four dollars ($187,584.00) of the appropriations made under this section shall be expended for contract services to implement this act. Not more than ninety-seven thousand six hundred sixty dollars ($97,660.00) of the appropriations made under this section shall be expended for salary and benefits.

These appropriations shall be for the period beginning on the effective date of this section and ending June 30, 2022.

These appropriations shall not be transferred or expended for any other purpose and any unexpended, unobligated funds remaining from these appropriations shall revert as provided by law on June 30, 2022.

Section 4
.

The department of health and the department of education shall report on implementation of Medicaid billing for school based services as provided for by this act. Reports on implementation required by this section shall include information on relevant action taken by school districts, relevant action taken by the department of health and the department of education and any approvals received from the federal government for plan amendments or waivers to the state Medicaid plan. The departments shall evaluate impediments to implementation and determine necessary or recommended improvements to the program and any required additional funding. Findings shall
be submitted in two (2) written reports to the joint education interim committee, the joint labor, health and social services interim committee and the joint appropriations committee, one (1) report to be submitted not later than October 1, 2021 and the other report to be submitted not later than October 1, 2022.

Section 5.

(a)

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this act is effective July 1, 2021.

(b)

Sections 2 through 5 of this act are effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the Senate.

Chief Clerk

1