Can public schools bill Medicaid for speech-language pathology services?
To date, most states have implemented or plan to implement Medicaid billing in the schools. There are provisions in Federal and state law requiring state and local education agencies to seek sources other than those available under Part B or Part C of IDEA to pay for services for students with disabilities. Schools are increasingly tapping other sources to help finance special education programs. Covered Medicaid benefits include speech-language pathology services identified in the child’s individualized education program (IEP) or individualized family service plan (IFSP). Federal law dictates that private insurance must be pursued first by local education agencies (LEAs) using Medicaid funds because Medicaid is the “payer of last resort.” This means that a reasonable effort must be made to collect from all potential payers before Medicaid can be billed. Parents retain the right to refuse consent for the use of their private insurance funds. There are a number of legal, ethical and pro
