Consent to Share Information for Medi-Cal Billing and FAQs

The District, in cooperation with the California Departments of Health Care Services and Education, participates in a program that allows the District to be reimbursed with federal Medicaid dollars for select health services provided to Medi-Cal eligible students at school. In order for the District to receive reimbursement for these services, we must obtain your consent to release limited education records to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and our reimbursement recovery vendor; and, we must obtain your consent to access public benefits if your child is enrolled in Medi-Cal* Records that may be shared include: child’s name and date of birth; and health-related evaluation, intervention, and referral information (for services received at school), all of which are shared securely.

If my child is or may become eligible for public benefits (Medi-Cal): I authorize the LEA/District to release student information for the limited purpose of billing Medi-Cal/Medicaid and to access Medi-Cal: health insurance benefits for applicable services.

*Your consent, or non-consent, does not affect the services available and provided to your child, and should not impact your Medi-Cal benefits.

1. Will I ever be billed for school-based services that my child receives? 

No. You will never receive a bill from the District, and there is no cost to you or to your child for school-based health services, regardless of your child's Medi-Cal eligibility. Bills for eligible school-based health services provided to children who are Medi-Cal eligible are submitted to Medi-Cal for reimbursement.

2. Do I have to be involved in the billing process in any way?

You will only be asked to provide the District with your consent for Medi-Cal billing. Parents have no other responsibilities in this process.

3. Does this program (and my consent) impact my child's Medi-Cal benefits in any way?

Whether or not you give consent, Medi-Cal will continue to pay for medically necessary health-related services your child receives outside of school. Further, the District's participation in this program and your consent should not impact your child's benefits in any way.

4. How does the District use the funds received from Medi-Cal billing?

The District uses Medi-Cal funds to supplement the cost of the services being performed at school sites every day. In addition, these funds are used to support additional family outreach efforts, school health offices, updating testing equipment and materials, purchasing supplies, etc., in an effort to support all children in the District.

5. Will the District stop providing the services for my child if I do not provide my consent to bill Medi-Cal?

No. Without your consent for billing, your child will continue to receive care, but the District will not receive Medi-Cal funds for the eligible services that your child may be provided. Other District funds will be used to support the full cost of these necessary services.

6. What if I change my mind after I have provided you with my consent?

You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time (a withdrawal will not be retroactive). See the front desk at your child's school if you'd like to make a change.

7. What information is shared, with whom, and what guarantees exist to ensure confidentiality of these records?

The education records that may be shared include the following: child's name and date of birth; health related evaluation, intervention, and referral information (for services received at school); practioners' notes related to these health services; and select data from child's IEP/IFSP (if applicable). The District's reimbursement recovery vendor is bound by a contract that contains specific provisions to keep student records confidential and secure, ensuring information is not used or disclosed inappropriately; further, our vendor is HIPPA compliant. In addition, the District and DHCS are bound by agreements that include specific provisions about the use of the information shared in this program, and explicit security protocols to keep your child's information confidential and secure.