Medi-Cal Programs
ABOUT SCHOOL-BASED MEDI-CAL
ABOUT SCHOOL-BASED MEDI-CAL![]()
ABOUT SCHOOL-BASED MEDI-CAL
In 1989, Congress enabled school districts to claim federal funds for health related services they provide to students enrolled in Medicaid. Districts can seek reimbursement from Medicaid for these services as long as the district is a Medicaid provider and meets requirements regarding licensure, certification, and other federal mandates for the Medicaid program.
Another federal law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act commonly known as IDEA, authorizes federal reimbursement for health related services specified in a Medicaid-eligible child’s IEP.
Medicaid is called Medi-Cal in California. California established its Local Education Agency (LEA) Billing Option Program in 1993 and it’s Medical Administrative Activities Program (MAA) in 1994.
These two distinct Medi-Cal programs have the responsibility to recover costs from the federal government to offset the expenses of existing programs and to fund supplemental health and human services:
The Contra Costa County Office of Education provides support for the School-Based Medi-Cal Administrative Activities (SMAA) program. This reimbursement program can support your continued efforts in providing effective and quality health programs for students.
SCHOOL-BASED MEDI-CAL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES PROGRAM
SCHOOL-BASED MEDI-CAL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES PROGRAM![]()
SCHOOL-BASED MEDI-CAL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES PROGRAM
The Contra Costa County Office of Education has been involved in the School-Based Medi-Cal Administrative Activities (SMAA) program since 1999.
The County Office is the host entity for the Bay Region (Region 4) Local Educational Consortium (LEC) statewide SMAA program. Region 4 is based on the California County Superintendent Educational Services Association (CCSESA) regions and serves Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Solano counties.
The SMAA program allows school districts and county offices to be reimbursed federal dollars for costs incurred while performing certain administrative activities.
Administrative activities that facilitate enrollment into Medi-Cal and assisting students and families to access Medi-Cal services such as:
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Outreach–Providing Medi-Cal information to students and their families. Initial referral of students to medical services.
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Facilitating Applications-Referring or assisting families with the Medi-Cal application.
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Monitoring, Coordination, or Referral to Medi-Cal covered services-Such as; speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy, counseling, and any follow-up on these issues.
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Arranging Transportation to medical services within the community or IEP services at the school site.
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Translation-Arranging or providing translation for medical services, e.g. speech, counseling.
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Program Planning. Policy Development & Interagency Coordination-Developing strategies to improve the delivery or coordination of medical services.
Allowable costs may include the salaries and benefits of the staff performing the activities, applicable operating expenses, and appropriate overhead expenses. SMAA is a Federal Financial Participation (FFP) program, which requires a non-federal match. Approved SMAA costs are reimbursed at fifty percent (50%). Revenue is unrestricted!
For more information on the School-Based Medi-Cal Administrative Activities Program please visit the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) website.
BAY REGION 4 LOCAL EDUCATIONAL CONSORTIA (LEC) CONTACTS
BAY REGION 4 LOCAL EDUCATIONAL CONSORTIA (LEC) CONTACTS![]()
BAY REGION 4 LOCAL EDUCATIONAL CONSORTIA (LEC) CONTACTS
TITLE | NAME | PHONE |
Director, External Business Services | Melissa Guzman | (925) 942-3411 |
Supervisor, School-Based Medi-Cal Program | Michelle Cowart | (925) 942-5391 |
Division Project Specialist, School-Based Medi-Cal Program | Maureen Skiba | (925) 942-3340 |
Technician, School-Based Medi-Cal Program | Danielle Low-Anderson | (925) 942-3356 |