Special Education

If your child is evaluated to see if they are eligible for special education, District 196 will share your child’s name and date of birth with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to determine if your child is on Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare. If you do not want the district to share your child’s information, you must provide your dissent in writing at the time of consent for an evaluation.

Notification and Consent for Reimbursement for IEP Health Related Services

Introduction 

Federal law (34C.F.R. 300.154) ensures that medical assistance pays for IEP health related services.  Minnesota law (MS 125A.21) requires school districts to seek reimbursement from insurers and similar third parties for Individualized Education Program (IEP) health related services.  IEP health related services may include assessments/evaluations and services for speech/language/hearing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, personal care assistance, assistive technology devices, interpreter services, special transportation, and mental health.  This Minnesota law helps school districts access more funding for students with disabilities.  To comply with the law, Independent School District 196 is required to inform you of this notice/form. 

Consent

• The District must obtain consent to seek reimbursement for IEP health related services from parents, or legal guardian.  The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) has indicated that consent may be obtained through the school district consent form, or the Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) enrollment/re-enrollment form for medical assistance.
• We will not bill your private insurance.  If you have a combination of MA and private insurance, we will receive a statewide denial from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), or your insurance company, before billing MA.

Notification  

• Independent School District 196 will access Medical Assistance (MA) for reimbursement for IEP health related services that a child receives. There will be NO cost to the family and this will NOT affect the MA coverage, including TEFRA, waivered programs, service limits or thresholds. The District may not require a family to sign up for MA.
• Parents, or legal guardians, may ask for a copy of the records disclosed to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
• Consent may be revoked, in writing, at any time without affecting a child’s services. Revocation is not retroactive.

Section 504 protects a student with an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, whether the student receives special education services or not.

• Examples of physical or mental impairments that may be covered under Section 504 include: epilepsy, AIDS, allergies, vision impairment, broken limbs, cancer, diabetes, asthma, temporary condition due to accidents or illness, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, depression, intellectual disability, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Examples of major life activities that can be affected by the student’s disability include: learning, thinking, concentrating, reading, speaking, walking, breathing, sleeping, caring for oneself, as well as major bodily functions, including brain function, immune system function, or digestive functions. This is not an exhaustive list.

If you have questions about 504 please contact your child’s school to learn more.