Topeka ? Kansas public schools will receive an increase in Medicaid funding under a new plan approved by the federal government.

The new plan will allow schools to be reimbursed for the actual cost of providing special education services, rather than receiving a set for-service fee schedule.

“This will increase Medicaid funding for special education in schools,” said Andy Allison, executive director of the Kansas Health Policy Authority.

The cost-based reimbursement method will result in a net increase of $5 million to $10 million in Medicaid funding for Kansas schools, the KHPA said.