Requires the department of health to review claims for expenditures for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment and other health services, care and supplies which are furnished to eligible children and pre-school children regardless of whether such children have handicapping conditions, are suspected of having handicapping conditions or have an individualized education plan; requires the department of health to apply for all necessary federal approvals regarding such expenditures.
Summary
S00999 would expand New York’s Medicaid reimbursement rules for school-based and preschool-based health services. It amends the Social Services Law so the Department of Health must review claims for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment (EPSDT) and other health services, care, and supplies provided to eligible children and preschool children, even when those children do not have handicapping conditions, are only suspected of having such conditions, or do not have an individualized education plan. The bill also preserves reimbursement for existing services provided to children with handicapping conditions and to children suspected of having such conditions.
The measure further directs the Department of Health to seek all necessary federal approvals to implement these reimbursement changes and makes the new provisions contingent on obtaining federal financial participation. It applies to both local public school districts and state-operated or state-supported schools under the Education Law, as well as counties, New York City, and certain licensed clinics and diagnostic and treatment centers involved in delivering related services. The bill takes effect immediately if enacted.
Impact
The bill would broaden the scope of state reimbursement under Social Services Law sections 368-d and 368-e by allowing claims for EPSDT-related services for a wider group of children, including eligible children and preschool children regardless of disability status or IEP status. This could increase the number of reimbursable claims submitted by school districts, counties, New York City, and certain clinics, while also requiring the Department of Health to administer and review a larger set of claims. Because implementation depends on federal approval and federal financial participation, the practical fiscal impact would hinge on Medicaid matching rules and federal consent.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support in the Senate Health Committee, with unanimous 14-0 and 13-0 votes on separate dates. That suggests the bill was viewed favorably by committee members and did not face recorded opposition at that stage. No committee transcript was provided, so there is no additional public discussion to indicate broader debate or amendments.
Contention
The main policy issue is whether New York should extend reimbursement beyond children with handicapping conditions or suspected handicapping conditions to all eligible children and preschool children receiving EPSDT and related health services. Supporters likely view the bill as improving access to preventive and early intervention care and aligning reimbursement with service needs rather than disability labels. Potential concerns center on increased state and local administrative burden, possible fiscal exposure, and the need for federal approval before the expanded reimbursement can take effect. The bill text itself also reflects a technical point of contention: reimbursement is conditioned on federal financial participation, meaning the state cannot implement the change unless federal Medicaid authorities approve it.
Same As
Requires the department of health to review claims for expenditures for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment and other health services, care and supplies which are furnished to eligible children and pre-school children regardless of whether such children have handicapping conditions, are suspected of having handicapping conditions or have an individualized education plan; requires the department of health to apply for all necessary federal approvals regarding such expenditures.
Requires the department of health to review claims for expenditures for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment and other health services, care and supplies which are furnished to eligible children and pre-school children regardless of whether such children have handicapping conditions, are suspected of having handicapping conditions or have an individualized education plan; requires the department of health to apply for all necessary federal approvals regarding such expenditures.
Requires the department of health to review claims for expenditures for early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment and other health services, care and supplies which are furnished to eligible children and pre-school children regardless of whether such children have handicapping conditions, are suspected of having handicapping conditions or have an individualized education plan; requires the department of health to apply for all necessary federal approvals regarding such expenditures.
Extends provisions related to certified school psychologists and special education services and programs for preschool children with handicapping conditions until June 30, 2028.
Extends provisions related to certified school psychologists and special education services and programs for preschool children with handicapping conditions until June 30, 2028.