The following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Department” means the Maryland Department of Health, the State agency designated to administer the Maryland Medical Assistance Program under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §1396 et seq. “Early and periodic screening, diagnosis and treatment (EPSDT)” means the provision of preventive health care, including medical and dental services under 42 CFR §441.50 et seq., in order to assess growth and development and to detect and treat health problems in Medical Assistance eligible individuals younger than 21 years old. “Federally qualified health center (FQHC)” means an entity that has entered into an agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to meet Medicare requirements under 42 CFR §405.2464 and in accordance with 42 CFR §405.2401(b). “Managed care organization (MCO)” has the meaning stated in Health-General Article, §15-101, Annotated Code of Maryland. “Medically necessary” means that the service or benefit is: Directly related to diagnostic, preventive, curative, palliative, or ameliorative treatment of an illness, injury, disability, or health condition; Consistent with currently accepted standards of good medical practice, dental practice, or both; The most cost efficient that can be provided without sacrificing effectiveness or access to care; and Not primarily for the convenience of the participant, family, or provider. “Medicare” means the insurance program administered by the federal government under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §1395 et seq. “Participant” means an individual who is certified as eligible for, and who is receiving, Medical Assistance benefits. “Primary care provider (PCP)” means a practitioner who is the primary coordinator of care for the participant, and whose responsibility it is to provide accessible, continuous, comprehensive, and coordinated health care services covering the full range of benefits required by the Maryland Medical Assistance Program. “Primary health services” means a basic level of health care, including diagnostic, treatment, consultative, referral, and preventive health services, generally rendered by: General practitioners; Family practitioners; Internists; Obstetricians; Gynecologists; Pediatricians; Physician assistants; and Nurse practitioners. “Program” means the Maryland Medical Assistance Program. “Provider” means a school-based health center which has been approved by the Department. “School-based health center (SBHC)” means a health center that: Is located on school grounds; Provides on-site primary and preventive health care, referrals, and follow-up services; Could provide on-site dental care or behavioral health care, referrals, and follow-up services; and Has been approved by the Maryland Department of Health. “Specialty behavioral health” means services specified in COMAR 10.09.59.06 and 10.09.80.05. The provider shall meet all license requirements as set forth in COMAR 10.09.36.02. A physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant providing services in an SBHC shall be licensed and legally authorized to practice in the state in which the service is provided. A dentist or dental hygienist providing services in an SBHC shall be licensed and legally authorized to practice in the state in which the service is provided. General requirements for participation in the Program are that a provider shall: Meet the conditions for participation as set forth in COMAR 10.09.36; and If delivering services via telehealth, comply with COMAR 10.09.49 and any subregulatory guidance issued by the Department. To participate as a Maryland Medicaid SBHC, a provider shall: Be approved by the Maryland Department of Health as an SBHC; Meet conditions for participation as a: Free-standing clinic as set forth in COMAR 10.09.08.03B; Physician as set forth in COMAR 10.09.02.03; or Nurse practitioner as set forth in COMAR 10.09.01.03. Provide somatic health care services through health professionals who: Are trained and experienced in community health and providing health care services to school-aged children; Have knowledge of health promotion and illness prevention strategies for children and adolescents; and Are EPSDT certified; Ensure staff is assigned responsibilities consistent with the staff's education and experience and within the staff's scope of practice; Designate an individual to be responsible for overall management of the SBHC; Whenever comprehensive primary health services are being delivered, maintain a staffing pattern that includes at least one of the following on-site: A physician; A nurse practitioner; or A physician assistant; Maintain policies and procedures that ensure confidentiality of services and records which are practiced consistently, in accordance with Health-General Article, §4-301, Annotated Code of Maryland; Maintain data collection and storage capabilities adequate to maintain medical records and standard demographic data; Require any physician assistant employed by the provider to have a delegation agreement with the supervising physician in accordance with COMAR 10.09.55.02 and .03; and Transmit a health visit report: To the student's MCO and PCP within 3 business days of the health visit, as designated by the Department, for inclusion in the student-participant's medical record; and If follow-up care with the PCP within 1 week of the health visit is required and the health visit report is mailed, to the student's MCO and PCP by telephone, email, or fax on the day of the SBHC visit. Specific requirements for participation in the Program as a dentist or dental hygienist in an SBHC are that a provider shall meet the conditions for participation as set forth in COMAR 10.09.05.03AE. An SBHC, designated by the Department as meeting the criteria specified in Regulation .03 of this chapter, is eligible for reimbursement by the Program for the following services: Comprehensive well-child care, including the administration of vaccines in accordance with the Maryland Healthy Kids Preventive Health Schedule, when: Performed by EPSDT certified providers; and Rendered according to EPSDT standards set forth in COMAR 10.09.23.03; Follow-up of positive or abnormal EPSDT screening components without approval of the PCP, except when referral for specialty care is indicated; Comprehensive preventive and primary health services; Family planning services as described in COMAR 10.09.58.05; Covered dental services in accordance with COMAR 10.09.05; Specialty behavioral health services in accordance with COMAR 10.09.59 and 10.09.80; and Routine sports physicals. The Program does not cover the following: Services not specified in Regulation .04 of this chapter; Services not medically necessary; Investigational and experimental drugs and procedures; Basic school health services as defined in COMAR 13A.05.05.05.15; Nursing or other health services provided as part of a participant's individualized educational program (IEP) as defined in COMAR 10.09.50.01B or individualized family service plan (IFSP) as defined in COMAR 10.09.50.01B; Skilled nursing services provided to enable a participant to be safely maintained in the school setting such as: Nasogastric tube feedings; Catheterization; Oral, nasotracheal, or tracheal suctioning; and Nebulizer treatments; School health services which are required in all school settings such as: Hearing and vision screening unless completed as part of an EPSDT well-child check-up; Routine assessment of minor injuries; First aid; Administration of medications including supervision of self-administered medications; General health promotion counseling; and Review of health records; Vaccines supplied by Vaccines for Children (VFC); Visits for the sole purpose of: Administering medication; Checking blood pressure; Measuring weight; Interpreting lab results; or Group or individual health education; and Services provided outside of the physical location of the approved SBHC, unless services are rendered via telehealth in accordance with COMAR 10.09.49 and any subregulatory guidance issued by the Department. The provider shall charge the Program the provider’s customary charge to the general public for similar services and charge the provider’s acquisition cost for injectable drugs or dispensed medical supplies. If the service is free to individuals not covered by Medicaid: The provider: May charge the Program; and Shall be reimbursed in accordance with §B of this regulation; and The provider’s reimbursement is not limited to the provider’s customary charge. Local health department clinics, general clinics, physicians, and nurse practitioners shall be paid the lesser of: The provider’s customary charge to the general public unless the service is free to individuals not covered by Medicaid; or The maximum rates according to COMAR 10.09.02.07. The Department shall reimburse an SBHC, sponsored by an LHD or general clinic, for dental services in accordance with COMAR 10.09.05.07. The Department shall reimburse an SBHC, sponsored by an LHD, general clinic, nurse practitioner, or physician, for specialty behavioral health services in accordance with COMAR 10.21.25 and 10.09.80.08. The Department shall reimburse an SBHC, sponsored by an FQHC, for services in accordance with COMAR 10.09.08.08. The provider shall submit a completed request for payment in the format designated by the Department or HealthChoice MCO, including required documentation. The dental provider shall submit a request for payment in the format designated by the Department and in accordance with COMAR 10.09.05.07. The Program reserves the right to return to the provider, before payment, all invoices not properly completed. Unless the service is free to individuals not covered by Medicaid, a provider shall bill the Program the provider’s customary charge to the general public for similar services. The Department shall authorize payment on Medicare cross-over claims only if: The provider accepts Medicare assignments; Medicare makes a direct payment to the provider; Medicare determines the services are medically necessary; The services are covered by the Program; and Initial billing is made directly to Medicare according to Medicare guidelines. The Department shall make supplemental payment on Medicare cross-over claims subject to the following provisions: A deductible shall be paid in full; Coinsurance shall be paid at the lesser of: 100 percent of the coinsurance amount; or The balance remaining after the Medicare payment is subtracted from the Medicaid rate; Services not covered by Medicare, but considered medically necessary by the Program, shall be paid according to the limitations of this chapter; and Coinsurance shall be paid in full to FQHC providers. An SBHC providing self–referred services as described in COMAR 10.67.06.28 to an MCO participant shall: Verify eligibility and MCO assignment through EVS on the day of service; Submit claims within 180 days of performing the service; Submit claims using the CMS 1500 for paper processing and the HIPAA compliant 837P for electronic processing; and Bill third party insurers before billing the MCO with the exception of well-child care and immunizations. The provider may not bill the Program for: Completion of forms and reports; Broken or missed appointments; More than one visit to complete an EPSDT screen; and Providing a copy of a participant’s medical record when requested by another licensed provider on behalf of the participant. The Program may not make direct payment to participants. The Program may not make a separate direct payment to any individual employed by or under contract to any SBHC for services provided in an SBHC. Billing time limitations for claims submitted pursuant to this chapter are set forth in COMAR 10.09.36. Recovery and reimbursement are as set forth in COMAR 10.09.36.07. Cause for suspension or removal and imposition of sanctions are as set forth in COMAR 10.09.36.08. Providers filing appeals from administrative decisions made in connection with this chapter shall do so according to COMAR 10.09.36.09. State regulations shall be interpreted in conformity with COMAR 10.09.36.10. Health-General Article, §§2-104(b), 15-103, and 15-105, Annotated Code of Maryland Effective date: April 10, 2017 (44:7 Md. R. 355) Regulation .01B amended effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 973) Regulation .03A, B amended effective June 14, 2021 (48:12 Md. R. 473); November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 973) Regulation .04EF amended effective June 9, 2025 (52:11 Md. R. 533) Regulation .05 amended effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 973) Regulation .05H—K amended effective June 9, 2025 (52:11 Md. R. 533) Regulation .06 amended effective June 14, 2021 (48:12 Md. R. 473)