SHARS
The School Health and Related Services (SHARS) program allows Texas local educational agencies (LEAs) and shared service arrangements (SSAs) to request reimbursement for Medicaid health-related services. The admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee determines SHARS services. Services must be medically necessary and reasonable to ensure that children with disabilities are able to participate in the educational program.
SHARS reimbursement is available for students with parental consent to release identifying information to Medicaid and who meet all of the following requirements:
- 20 years of age and younger
- currently eligible for Medicaid
- enrolled in a public school's special education program
- meet requirements for special education described in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- May current individualized education program (IEP) that prescribes the needed services.
Services covered by SHARS include:
- audiology services
- counseling
- nursing services
- occupational therapy
- personal care services
- physical therapy
- physician services
- psychological services, including assessments
- speech therapy
- specialized transportation as defined by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)