State's school districts seeking TennCare funds

CHATTANOOGA(AP) - Hamilton County Schools have collected about $1.6 million from TennCare for reimbursement for special education services like physical therapy. Now other counties are following suit.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that in some states, schools are required to bill Medicaid for certain services. In those states, the departments of education generally provide clear guidance on how to seek the reimbursement.

In Tennessee, district leaders have been intimidated by the process of requesting reimbursement. But increasingly they are turning to private companies like Chattanooga-based Stellar Therapy Services for help.

So far at least 15 school systems in Tennessee are billing TennCare. And Stellar officials say the state's biggest districts in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville are looking into it as well.

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