Connecticut's School-Based Child Health program once again is preparing districts for the newest change to your Medicaid program. Time Studies are back and new procedures are in place.

Once again districts will juggle their time to meet the time constraints of getting this information out and collected. Instructions and examples are available to help staff understand how to begin this process. Employee lists must be received by DSS no later than Tuesday, January 28, 2014. Click here for employee list descriptions.

Why are we required to participate in a Time Study is the first question that may come to your mind? Districts participating in the CT Medicaid program receive interim payments for eligible services that are provided to students. In order for a district to receive these payments they must provide documentation that is part of the cost report and settlement for the current school year.

Failure to provide this mandated documentation will result in districts returning any reimbursements received for the given year. In times where districts depend on all additional revenue to meet their budgetary demands this reimbursement is crucial to a districts financial picture.

What is the pupose of a Time Study?

• The time study is used for cost allocation purposes when DSS processes your district’s cost report and settlement for the given school year.

• The time study captures how staff spend their time during their paid daily work hours.

• Documentation of this time is used to capture all activities engaged in by school staff and to distinguish between educational, direct services and administrative functions.

• The time study identifies the proportion of direct service time allowable and reimbursable under Medicaid guidelines.

• The time study identifies the proportion of administrative time allowable and reimbursable under Medicaid guidelines.

• Reimbursable costs dependent on Time Study results will be determined using the Salary and Fringe information reported in your 2013/2014 Cost Report for all school staff that perform SBCH direct and/or administrative functions.

DSS has provided the employee list template and examples of all requested information which has been sent to each contact overseeing the Medicaid program in your district. Make sure staff is aware of these important deadlines to ensure that you submit all necessary documentation. Your cost settlement is based on these submissions and will impact your revenue reimbursement.

     Our CompuClaim staff is available to answer your questions and offer you guidance through this process.