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Senate panel backs bill to create Medicaid billing navigator positions for schools
Summary
The Senate K–12 subcommittee recommended reporting legislation to fund two Department of Education Medicaid billing navigator positions to help school divisions increase school-based Medicaid reimbursement and compliance.
The Senate K–12 Subcommittee recommended reporting Senate Bill 13554, which would add two Medicaid billing navigator positions in the Virginia Department of Education to help school divisions increase claims and federal reimbursement for billable school-based health services.
Supporters told the subcommittee school divisions struggle to navigate complex Medicaid rules, submit claims through the state portal and maintain required documentation. Senator Cyril Bost (patron) said the navigators would train school staff, assist with claim submissions, identify new Medicaid-reimbursable services and work with the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to align school billing with state Medicaid requirements. The bill also requires an annual report on utilization and reimbursements to school divisions.
Representatives of the Virginia Education Association, Voices for Virginia’s Children and a Fund Our Schools coalition member testified in support, saying many divisions lack staff and technical capacity to maximize school-based Medicaid reimbursement. No one testified in formal opposition at the subcommittee hearing.
The subcommittee voted to recommend reporting the bill to the full committee; the committee vote was recorded in the hearing as 5–0 in favor.
If enacted, the bill would establish a state-level technical assistance role to reduce administrative burdens on local school divisions and potentially increase federal Medicaid funds returned to school systems.
