The following information was obtained from the October 12 issue of the Texas Register:
Public Notice
HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to renew the Youth Empowerment Services waiver for the period beginning April 1, 2013, through March 31, 2018. See the Texas Register for more information.
Proposed Rules
HHSC proposed new Chapter 352, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Provider Enrollment—§§352.1, 352.3, 352.5, 352.7, 352.9, 352.11, 352.13, 352.15, 352.17, 352.19, and 352.21. The changes are necessary to bring Texas Medicaid and CHIP into compliance with the new federal requirements related to provider enrollment. For details, see the Texas Register.
HHSC proposed the repeal of §354.1006, Surety Bond Requirements; §354.1173, Provider Certification/Enrollment in Medicare; and §354.1442, Out-of-State Provider Eligibility, in Chapter 354, Medicaid Health Services. The repeal would remove certain Medicaid and CHIP provider enrollment requirements from Chapter 354 and put them in new Chapter 352, Medicaid and CHIP Provider Enrollment. See the Texas Register for more information.
HHSC proposed new §390.1, Definitions, and §390.2, Standards Relating to the Electronic Exchange of Health Information, in new Chapter 390, Subchapter A, Standards Relating to the Electronic Exchange of Health Information, which would identify statutory and regulatory requirements that covered entities must follow to be in compliance with the law. See the Texas Register for details.
The Texas Medical Board proposed to amend several sections of the code:
Licensure – Among the changes: “amends the definition of two-year training program to delete that residency training required for certification must be acceptable for board certification.”
Postgraduate Training Permits – Among the changes: “amends the rule to exempt applicants for PIT rotator permits from having to submit medical records or otherwise have staff review impairment issues as part of the application process.”
Temporary And Limited Licenses – Among the changes: “allows additional grounds for eligibility for Visiting Physician Temporary Permits, including emergency disaster, forensic psychiatric evaluations for criminal matters, and specialized care, when good cause is shown.”
Texas Physician Health Program And Rehabilitation Orders – “amends the procedures for the handling of referrals to the Board from the TXPHP for violation of agreements of TXPHP agreements with program participants.”
Disciplinary Guidelines – Among the changes: “provides the standard for physician delegation of the performance of nerve conduction studies by individuals who are not licensed as physicians or physical therapists.”
Emergency Medical Service – Among the changes: “adds the definition for Emergency Medical Services provider to be consistent with rules by the Texas Department of State Health Services.”
- On DADS’ Behalf
HHSC proposed to amend §§9.153, 9.158, 9.166, 9.170, 9.174, 9.177, 9.178, 9.188, 9.189, and 9.190, Definitions; Process for Enrollment of Applicants; Renewal and Revision of an IPC; Reimbursement; Certification Principles: Service Delivery; Certification Principles: Staff Member and Service Provider Requirements; Certification Principles: Quality Assurance; DADS’ Approval of Residences; Referral to DFPS; and MRA Requirements for Providing Service Coordination in the HCS Program, in Subchapter D, HCS Program, in Chapter 9, Intellectual Disability Services–Medicaid State Operating Agency Responsibilities.
The proposed rules would implement a Board of Nursing rule at TAC, Title 22, §217.11(3), and the BON’s Position Statement 15.28. See the Texas Register for more information.
Adopted Rules
HHSC adopted an amendment to §354.1231, Benefits and Limitations for Medicaid Hearing Aid Services, which implements a hearing aid services policy change to comply with the cost savings required by 2012-13 General Appropriations Act.
HHSC adopted new §355.8641, Reimbursement Methodology for the Women’s Health Program, which would describe the reimbursement methodology for services provided under the program. For more information about both entries, see the Texas Register.
Rules Review
The Texas Medical Board proposes to review Chapter 197, Emergency Medical Service, §§197.1 – 197.6.