(202) 994-4895

chhcs@gwu.edu

SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS IN MASSACHUSETTS
In school year 1999/2000 Massachusetts reported 44 school-based health centers, all of them located in urban areas. All centers receive some money from the state, which that year totaled $3.7 million, all funded through the stateÕs tobacco tax or tobacco settlement dollars*. This represents an almost $2 million increase in state general funding over two years. Massachusetts is one of eight state that requires centers to follow operating standards determined by the state. Most of the stateÕs centers (70%) are located in high schools.
Descriptive Data
SBHCs with primary care providers
Types of schools housing SBHCs


State Policies
Table I: Policies Regarding Third Party Payments for SBHC Services

SBHCs are eligible for services under fee-for-service Medicaid Yes
SBHCs are eligible for services under fee-for-service SCHIP N/A
State policy specifically prohibits SBHCs from billing Medicaid No
State requires through law, managed care contracts or regulations that Medicaid managed care provider networks inlcude SBHCs No
State encourages through law, mangaed care contracts or regulations that Medicaid managed care provider networks include SBHCs Yes
State prohibits SBHCs from being paid for care provided to Medicaid managed care beneficiaries No
State requires through law, managed care contracts or regulations that SCHIP managed care provider networks inlcude SBHCs No
State encourages through law, mangaed care contracts or regulations that SCHIP managed care provider networks include SBHCs Yes

Table II: Programs and Policies that Support SBHCs

Is there a program unit which is responsible for providing technical assistance to communities interested in SBHCs? Yes
Does this office administer a grant program that supports SBHCs? Yes
Does the state have targeting guidelines for state-funded SBHCs? Yes
Has the state established operating standards for SBHCs?* Yes
Are SBHCs licensed by state health licensing authority? Yes

**Operating standards in Massachusetts are required

 

Table III: SBHCs and Managed Care Experience

Do any SBHCs in the state have contracts with managed care plans? Yes
Do any SBHCs participate in commercial plans? Yes
Does state law permit nurse practitioners to participate in managed care provider networks as primary care providers? Yes

 

Table IV: SBHCs and Community Support

Has the state health department or education agency sponsored polls or organized focus groups to identify public intersts or concerns regarding SBHCs? No
Has the state agency been asked to provide inforamtion on how to start, operate, or fund a SBHC? Yes
Has the state agency been contacted by persons who were worried about the opening of SBHCs in their communities? Yes
Has the agency been contacted by persons opposed to the opening of SBHCs in the State? Yes
Do SBHCs assess parent and/or student satisfaction with their services? Yes

 

State Funds for SBHCs for School Year 1999/2000

 

Tobacco Tax Dollars $1,950,000
Tobacco Settlement Dollars $1,752,045
Total $3,702,045

 

Source: National Survey of School-Based Health Centers 2000,
Making the Grade

Contact Information:

Ann DeMatteis
Massachusetts Department of
Public Health
150 Tremont Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
617.624.5473
617.624.5922 fax

Barbara Farrell
President
Massachusetts Coalition
for School-Based Health Care
759 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01199
413.784.8349
413.794.8426 fax barbara.j.farrell@worldnet.att.net

Deborah Mutschler
Executive Director
Massachusetts Coalition
for School-Based Health Care
95 Berkeley Street, Suite #201
Boston, MA 02116
617.451.0049 ext.214
617.451.0062 fax
dmutschler@tmsnet.org