Important changes have been made in Medicaid claiming for qualified students in your district. While there had been speculation that the Administrative Claiming (SDAC) portion of Medicaid would end June 30, 2008, it has been extended by Congress through the next school year, thanks to the collaborative advocacy efforts of MSBA/SEAC, NSBA, MO-CASE and other education associations. Although the opportunity to seek SDAC reimbursement remains for the time being, there have been other changes in the SDAC claiming process.

The state contract with the current SDAC vendor expired June 30 and there is no longer a central administrator for the program. Therefore, school districts will now be required to undertake this process on their own or seek a new relationship with a vendor to assist with that effort. School administrators will be receiving a letter from Mo Healthnet and a SELS message in the near future explaining this situation.

MSBA recognized that schools would be facing difficult choices during this transition period. MSBA has been working closely with Mo Healthnet, DESE, and school administrators across the state to establish a consortium of school districts with a focus on the these things that are in the best interests of schools. MSBA is now a billing agent on behalf of districts for both Administrative and Fee-for-Service claiming.

Participation in the MSBA Consortium creates an opportunity to work in a collaborative way for the financial and administrative benefit of all school districts. Your participation in the MSBA consortium also helps to enhance MSBA's advocacy efforts and other direct services to districts.

MSBA has received assistance from school administrators across the state in creating a process to meet the needs of districts in the Medicaid claiming program. MSBA believes schools will benefit from this process in the following ways:

1. MSBA is forming a consortium of districts to ensure the on-going process is less burdensome for districts;

2. MSBA will provide a state-of-the-art, web-based solution to streamline the claiming process;

3. MSBA is working with a reputable company with a proven record for optimizing Medicaid revenues for districts while minimizing staff time required to participate in the process;

4. MSBA will be in full compliance with the Mo Healthnet billing guide; and

5. MSBA will continue to advocate for policy changes at the Federal and State levels to ensure long-term viability of the Medicaid program for public schools.

To ensure your participation in the MSBA consortium or to get more information about these changes contact Dr. Kim Ratcliffe today at Medicaidinfo@msbanet.org or call 1-800-221- MSBA (6722).