Preliminary Discussion: School Medicaid Guidance Coverage Provisions

June 7, 2023

This memo summarizes new school Medicaid guidance released in May 2023 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and also draws from CMS’ August 2022 Informational Bulletin. It provides an initial assessment of how states could move forward to expand and enhance their school Medicaid programs.

This guidance makes clear that:
● All Medicaid-enrolled students can be covered for school-based health services.
● All medically necessary services, including preventive, physical, mental health and substance use disorder services can be covered in a school setting.
● States are able to support a wide range of providers in a school setting.
● Students covered by CHIP can be included in school Medicaid.