Free Care Rule Regulatory Change: New Opportunities for Medicaid Reimbursement in Schools

Since 1997, the “free care” rule has stated that Medicaid will not pay for services that are offered to the general public free of charge. The rule has stood as a significant barrier for schools to receive Medicaid reimbursement for health services provided to students enrolled in Medicaid. On December 15, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter to State Medicaid Directors informing them of a decision to withdraw prior regulatory guidance on the free care rule. This Q&A explains how this important reversal of Medicaid policy will impact coverage of school-based interventions for low-income children with asthma.

National Asthma Control Program Funding Opportunity Announcement Overview

On March 5, 2014, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for the National Asthma Control Program (NACP). The attached document provides an overview of new program requirements and opportunities, with a particular focus on differences between this new FOA and previous funding requirements.

Overview of Federal Funding for Childhood Asthma

This document serves as a resource to show funding levels of federal programs relating to child asthma over the last few budget cycles as well as President Obama’s most recent budget request to Congress for FY 2015.

Click here to download the overview

Medicaid and Preventive Services – Recent Regulatory Updates

Effective January 1, 2014, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services is changing Medicaid regulations regarding which types of providers can be reimbursed for providing preventive services to Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries. The attached one-page Q&A explains how this important Medicaid change will impact coverage of community-based interventions for low-income children with asthma.

Click here to read the document