In crisis?
School-based health care services (SBHS)
On this page
The latest School-Based Health Care Services (SBHS) Billing Guide is now available.
What is School-Based Health Care Services (SBHS) ?
The SBHS program reimburses school districts for Medicaid covered health care related services provided to Medicaid eligible children requiring special education services consistent with section 1905(a) and section 1903(c) of the Social Security Act.
These services must be included in the student's current Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) and must be provided by a licensed health care provider.
Client eligibility
Children with a disability (age 0 through age 20) who require special education services must be receiving Title XIX Medicaid under a categorically needy program (CNP) or medical needy program (MNP). Children enrolled in managed care receive SBHS on a fee-for-service basis.
Covered services
Evaluations: When the child is determined to have a disability, and is in need of special education and health care related services that result in an IEP or IFSP.
Reevaluations: To determine whether a child continues to need special education and health care related services.
Direct health care related services which are included in a child’s IEP or IFSP, including:
- Audiology services
- Counseling services
- Nursing services
- Occupational therapy services
- Physical therapy services
- Psychological assessments
- Speech-language therapy services
Provider eligibility
School-based health care services must be delivered by health care providers who meet state licensure and certification requirements according to Washington State law (WAC 182-537-0350).
School districts can confirm provider qualifications on the Department of Health’s website. All providers must apply for a National Provider Identification (NPI) number through National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES). Providers must be enrolled as a servicing provider under the school district’s billing NPI number.
Reimbursement
The SBHS program is an optional Medicaid match program with a 50/50 state/federal match funding structure. Reimbursements are based on fee-for-service established rates, and are facilitated via an Intergovernmental Transfer (IGT) process. School districts must sign an interagency agreement with HCA and a core provider agreement with the provider enrollment unit in order to participate. When a fully executed contract is in place, the district can begin submitting claims for Medicaid covered services.
Resources
SBHS checklist for new school districts
SBHS checklist for new SBHS coordinators
SBHS contracted school districts
Intergovernmental transfer (IGT) flowchart (updated June 2018)
SBHS trainings
SBHS training videos and materials
SBHS 101 training - pdf
SBHS annual training for returning school districts 2018-2019 training video/pdf
SBHS provider trainings
Billing for audiology service - training video / pdf
Billing for counseling services - training video / pdf
Billing for nursing services - training video / pdf
Billing for occupational therapy services -- training video / pdf
Billing for physical therapy services - training video / pdf
Billing for speech-language therapy services - training video / pdf
ProviderOne trainings and resources
Creating ProviderOne users and adding profiles
How to enroll as a billing provider (setting up a ProviderOne account)
How to enroll servicing providers
Forms
Provider and contact update form
SBHS contract
Sample SBHS contract
School Districts interested in contracting with the SBHS program must complete a Contractor Intake form. Submit completed form via email to the SBHS program manager.
Program updates
SBHS sends updates via our email communications tool, GovDelivery.
Past notifications are available to view through our RSS feed.
Please note: If you subscribe to our RSS feed and use the Chrome browser, you will need to install the RSS feed extension for Chrome.
Contact
Shanna Muirhead
SBHS Program Specialist
Phone: 360-725-1153
Fax: 360-725-1152
Email: shanna.muirhead@hca.wa.gov
SBHS A-19 invoice inquiries should be directed to HCA's accounting office at HCASchoolBased@hca.wa.gov