The following information was obtained from the December 21 and December 28 editions of the Texas Register:
Open Meetings
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public rate hearing on January 10, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. in the Palo Duro Canyon Conference Room of the Braker Center, to receive public comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Clinics. For more information, including where to send written comments, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
HHSC will hold a public hearing on January 14, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Braker Center, to receive public comment on the proposed interim per diem Medicaid reimbursement rate for large, state-operated Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation operated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. For more information, including where to send written comments, see the relevant section of the Texas Register. Additionally, scroll down to read about HHSC’s intent submit two amendments.
Proposed Rules
HHSC proposed to amend §355.8063, Reimbursement Methodology for Inpatient Hospital Services, in Title 1 of the Texas Administrative Code, Part 15, Chapter 355, Subchapter J, Division 4, Medicaid Hospital Services, which would update Medicaid reimbursement methodology for freestanding psychiatric facilities, effective January 1, 2008. For more information, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
HHSC proposes to add the Partnership for Long-term Care Program to its Medicaid Eligibility chapter, pursuant to Senate Bill (S.B.) 22, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, amending Subchapter C, Chapter 32 of the Human Resources Code. For more information, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
Adopted Rules
HHSC adopted new §351.703, which will establish guidelines for developing a grant program that will support the initial establishment and operation of regional or local health care programs and make sure the grantmaking process is transparent for HHSC’s stakeholders and prospective grantees. For more information, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
HHSC adopted an amendment to §353.407, relating to Requirements of Managed Care Plans, which will extend the reimbursement requirement to include healthcare provided to members in the primary care case management program and add municipal health departments’ public clinics to the types of providers that must be reimbursed. For more information, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
HHSC has adopted amendments to §355.7101, Cost Reporting, and adopts the repeal of §355.7105, Definition of Allowable and Unallowable Costs; §355.7107, Allowable Costs; §355.7109, Unallowable Costs; and §355.7111, Costs Not Included in Recommended Payment Rates. For more information, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
The Texas Medical Board has adopted a series of amendments relating to physicians profiles, voluntarily surrendering medical licenses, unlicensed medical practice, and public information. To read about each amendment, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
Additionally, the Texas Medical Board proposes to review chapters concerning Reinstatement and Reissuance, Pain Management, and Certification of Non-Profit Health Organizations. Read more here.
