Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) Receives $2.5 Million Grant to Expand School-Based Medicaid Services
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) has been awarded a $2.5 million grant aimed at enhancing a program that delivers Medicaid-billable services to students within schools. This initiative is poised to improve access for more students and families to essential local health care resources.
School-based services encompass a range of offerings such as preventive health care, behavioral health interventions, and physical and occupational therapy, specifically tailored for students covered under Medicaid. These services are provided to students who have an individualized education program, which outlines educational and support services for children with disabilities and health needs.
Funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, this grant is part of a broader initiative involving 18 other states. OHCA applied for the grant in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education, which will administer smaller grants to schools seeking to expand state school-based services.
Emily Long, the public information officer at OHCA, outlined plans to utilize the grant to enhance services. This includes improving instructional manuals and toolkits, facilitating connections with mobile units, and promoting telehealth services across districts.
In collaboration with state agencies, OHCA and the Oklahoma State Department of Education will identify 10 school districts proficient in Medicaid billing for school-based services. These districts will be organized into six regional support groups, encompassing tribal and rural communities. Their role will be to provide mentorship, training, and support to smaller districts that have limited experience with Medicaid billing for such services.
The primary objective of this initiative is to expand the availability of critical services to a wider population.
Emily Long commented, “This lays a solid foundation to establish a reliable support network for districts, students, and their families or caregivers, ensuring they receive the necessary services.”
The grant funding commenced on July 1 and will continue until June 30, 2027.
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