School Health and Related Services

Written Annual Notification to Access Public Benefits or Insurance (e.g., Medicaid)

Medicaid services provided by school districts in Texas to Medicaid-eligible students are known as School Health and Related Services (SHARS). The oversight of SHARS is a cooperative effort between the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).  SHARS allows local school districts, including public charter schools, to obtain Medicaid reimbursement for certain health-related services documented in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). These activities include Audiology Services, Counseling, Nursing, Medical/Physician Services, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Psychological Services (including Testing and Assessments), Speech Therapy Services, Personal Care Services, and Specialized Transportation. 

The main objective of the SHARS program is to reduce the cost of delivering healthcare services in the school setting.  There are several key points to be aware of as it relates to Paris ISD receiving reimbursement for services the District provides. By law, the district: 

A. May not require parents to sign up for or enroll in public benefits or insurance programs in order for their child to receive Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 

B. May not require parents to incur an out-of-pocket expense such as the payment of a deductible or co-pay amount incurred in filing a claim for services that the school district is otherwise required to provide without charge. 

C. May not use a child’s benefits under a public benefits or insurance program if that use would: 

a. Decrease available lifetime coverage or any other insured benefit; 

b. Result in the family paying for services that would otherwise be covered by the public benefits or insurance program and that are required for the child outside of the time the child is in school; 

c. Increase premiums or lead to the discontinuation of benefits or insurance; 

d. Risk loss of eligibility for home and community-based waivers, based on aggregate health-related expenditures. 

A parent’s withdrawal of consent or refusal to provide consent to disclose personally identifiable information to the agency responsible for the administration of the State’s public benefits or insurance program (e.g., Medicaid) does not relieve the district of its responsibility to ensure that all required services are provided at no cost to the parent(s). 

(Consistent with 34 C.F.R  300.154 (d) (2) (i) - (v)) (2013) If you have any questions, please contact your Director of Special Education, Debbie Campbell at dcampbell@atlisd.net or by phone at 903-737-7494