HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced approval of two changes in Minnesota's Medicaid program that will make it easier for children to receive medical and rehabilitative services in school.

The two technical changes in the state's Medicaid plan are targeted toward children with physical or developmental disabilities who have special needs during the school day. This includes children covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) who have Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and who are eligible for Medicaid. The services covered under the new plan include physical, occupational and speech therapies, rehabilitative nursing, and personal care services performed in the school.

"I am pleased to approve changes that will get services to children where they need them -- at school," said Secretary Thompson. "I want to encourage states to seek approvals such as this to tailor their Medicaid programs to meet local needs."

This first change requested by Minnesota allows coverage of IEP services to children under Medicaid's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit. While these services are targeted to children with IEPs, they can be offered to any Medicaid-eligible child with special needs.

The second change added coverage of personal care services to children with IEPs or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) provided by school districts to children during the school day. Services can be obtained by a provider of the family's choosing and is not restricted to providers employed by the school district.