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The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) are collaborating to find ways to streamline access and reimbursement for behavioral health and disability services and to reduce administrative burden for schools. This document provides basic information about this shared effort.
What’s the current status of this issue?
Access to quality behavioral health and disability services can be critical to a student’s success in school and in life. For students with an Individualized Education Program or Individualized Family Service Plan, these services may be covered by public or private health care insurers — and this funding source helps both schools and students. The payment process can be complicated, however, as schools seek reimbursement through third party reimbursement processes. State and federal law, MDE and DHS policies, school district practices, and provider practices can all contribute to this complication.
Can social workers bill for mental health services?
We know that schools and providers are wondering about current policies on this issue in particular. Yes, school social workers can bill for services they provide within the scope of their professional licensures and if they follow Medicaid guidelines. A list of eligible providers can be found at Mental Health Services - Diagnostic Assessment (state.mn.us).
What can I expect from MDE and DHS in the near term?
This fall and winter, we will use a process mapping and process improvement effort to identify ways to improve how reimbursement works for students, providers, and schools. We will tap into the experience and knowledge of key agency staff, school districts, and providers to develop initial process maps—and then we’ll test our understanding and ideas with advocates, families, and other partners.
MDE and DHS will use this process to develop recommendations to include in our report to the Minnesota Legislature. We may need additional input or development of ideas that come out of this initial process improvement and engagement process before we can recommend or adopt them — we’ll track these and continue work as needed into 2022.
We see this improvement and engagement process as an ongoing effort. Here are a few key dates to keep in mind:
- October 2021: Stakeholder input meetings begin
- Jan. 15, 2022: Report to the Legislature
- 2022 and beyond: Ongoing engagement with people and organizations affected by policy changes
How will the state get input from providers, schools, students, parents, and other partners?
Minnesota has several existing engagement structures we will use during this streamlining process:
- Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports working group
- Minnesota Governor’s Children’s Cabinet
We are also expanding our engagement efforts to include other interested and affected people and organizations. Watch for additional information on opportunities to provide input this fall and winter — and beyond.
What are the legislative requirements?
In 2021, the Minnesota Legislature included important requirements for MDE and DHS in law. In short, these laws require MDE and DHS to consult with stakeholders to identify strategies to:
- Streamline access and reimbursement for behavioral health services for children with an Individualized Education Program or an Individualized Family Service Plan who are enrolled in Medical Assistance
- While streamlining access and reimbursement, avoid duplication of services and procedures, while ensuring the provision of high-quality services that meet Medicaid regulations.
MDE and DHS are also required to identify strategies to reduce administrative burden for schools while ensuring continuity of care for students accessing services when not in school. The Legislature also directed us to review models in other states, and we plan to use recent guidance and reports from the federal government as core materials for our review.
Here are the specific requirements:
- Laws of Minnesota, 1st Special Session, chapter 13, article 5, section 2:
Report on Behavioral Health Services Reimbursement. The commissioners of education and human services shall consult with stakeholders to identify strategies to streamline access and reimbursement for behavioral health services for children with an individualized education program or an individualized family service plan who are enrolled in medical assistance and, whenever possible, avoid duplication of services and procedures. The commissioners shall identify strategies to reduce administrative burden for schools while ensuring continuity of care for student's accessing services when not in school and shall review models in other states. The commissioners shall provide an update, including any recommendations for statutory changes, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees with jurisdiction over kindergarten through grade 12 education and human services by November 1, 2021.
- Laws of Minnesota, 1st Special Session chapter 7, article 17, section 9:
Continuity of Care for Students with Behavioral Health and Disability Support Needs. This act includes $70,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $0 in fiscal year 2023 for the commissioner of human services to collaborate with the commissioner of education and consult with stakeholders to: (1) identify strategies to streamline access and reimbursement for behavioral health services for students who are enrolled in medical assistance and have individualized education programs or individualized family services plans; and (2) avoid duplication of services and procedures to the extent practicable. The commissioners must identify strategies to reduce administrative burdens for schools while ensuring continuity of care for students accessing services when not in school. By January 15, 2022, the commissioners must report their findings and recommendations to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over early learning education through grade 12 and health and human services policy and finance. The general fund base in this act for this purpose is $0 in fiscal year 2024 and $0 in fiscal year 2025.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
For more information, contact:
About the Behavioral Health e-Memo
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For more information about Behavioral Health Services in Minnesota, visit:
Children’s mental health / Adult mental health / Substance use disorder / Resources for partners and providers
For more information about this e-Memo please feel free to contact us at youropinionmatters.dhs@state.mn.us
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