Medicaid Consent Forms — Process for Missing/Unclear Forms
Source email: "Medicaid" — Shannon Flaherty, 2024-05-13 Status caveat: Process is stable, but the trigger (DCPS audit notice) is sporadic — happens whenever Central audits. Last documented: May 2024.
What triggers this
DCPS Central periodically sends a list of students with missing or incomplete Medicaid consent forms. Reasons include:
- Date of signature on file is blank
- Signature is unclear
- ES did not create one in the first place
Process when Shannon flags an affected student
- Shannon prints new forms for the affected students and drops them in the case manager's room.
- Case manager contacts the parent to:
- Explain the form
- Send it home for signature
- Ask that it be returned to school
- Returned forms go to Shannon, not directly to Central.
- Shannon uploads the signed form to SP (Special Programs / SPSM).
Timing
"While we were not given an explicit deadline, these should be done as soon as possible."
So: not legally on the clock the way an IEP is, but treat as same-week priority when the audit comes through.
If you're new to Medicaid consent
Shannon offered: "I would be happy to explain it to you so you can convey that to parents (and know for yourselves!)." Same offer presumably stands — ask her for the parent-facing explanation if you don't have one.
What this is NOT
- Not connected to IEP eligibility (Medicaid consent is a separate parent permission)
- Not blocking — students still receive services without it
- Just: DCPS bills Medicaid for SpEd services when consent is on file; missing forms = lost reimbursement