July 2020 TEA Special Education Updates and Links

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Reminders and Updates from TEA During the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, LEAs must make reasonable efforts to provide the student with the services required by the student’s IEP. If there are services, accommodations, and modifications required by the student’s IEP that cannot be provided during this time, the student’s ARD committee … Read More

TEA Issues 20-21 Safe Return Guidelines for Texas Schools

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TEA Issues Comprehensive Guidelines for a Safe Return to On-Campus Instruction for the 2020-21 School Year Agency to Ensure Remote Instruction is Available to All Who Need It or Request It AUSTIN, Texas – July 7, 2020 – TEA announced comprehensive guidelines for students to return to school, prioritizing their … Read More

SHARS Telehealth Services: IEP and Parental Consents

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SHARS Services Provided Through Telemedicine or Telehealth If a school that participates in SHARS provides instruction to a Medicaid-eligible student, the school may seek Medicaid reimbursement for SHARS services delivered through telemedicine or telehealth, assuming all other SHARS program requirements are met.  HHSC will allow reimbursement for the following SHARS … Read More

Planning for the Oct-Dec ’20 RMTS Participant List

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Upcoming O-D ’20 RMTS Participant List The team at Onward is excited about the 2020-2021 school year and we are ready to start planning.  Districts participating in the school-based Medicaid programs must submit a Participant List (PL) each quarter to stay active in the SHARS and/or MAC programs. The RMTS … Read More

The Top 8 Findings During TEA SHARS Audits.

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Significant Findings in 2019-2020 TEA SHARS Audits TEA conducted on-site and desk reviews during the 2019-2020 school year.  Some common areas for growth are listed below: 1. Though not required, written district SHARS procedures  support an effective program. 2. Third Party Liability (TPL) should be understood by staff responsible for … Read More

Planning for SHARS in the 2020-2021 School Year

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SHARS: Starting 2020-2021 Services As districts prepare to begin a new school year, SHARS implementation requires attention and preparation. Below are general SHARS tips to keep in mind: Targeted Parent Consent and Notification Parental consent for SHARS billing is required. The rules have not changed.  Signed written parental consent must … Read More

MAC TIN Error Has Been Corrected

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MAC Update For districts participating in MAC, some providers may have noticed their district’s Texas Identification Number (TIN) showing on MAC October – December 2019 financials was incorrect.  HHSC and Fairbanks, LLC are aware of this issue, and it has been resolved. This issue will not affect payment for providers that have already submitted … Read More

MAC Deadline Approaching June 26, 2020

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Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) Deadline Reminder Upcoming June 26, 2020 Deadline for MAC Participants October-December 2019 Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) financial submission is due on June 26, 2020. What is MAC? The school-based Medicaid Administrative Claiming (MAC) program provides Texas school districts, including public charter schools, the opportunity to obtain … Read More

RMTS Sample Moments are Due

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Certify Sample Moments Before Holiday Time Off As Texas ISDs approach the summer break, don’t forget log onto the STAIRS system and check the completion of all RMTS sampled moments and to ensure any unanswered moments will not exceed the five working day response deadline.  Sampled moments must be completed … Read More