The following information was obtained from the May 2 issue of the Texas Register:
Open Meetings
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a series public hearings on May 19, 20, and 23 concerning Medicaid reimbursement rates for various providers. For times and locations, please follow this link and scroll down for more information about each hearing.
Proposed Rules
HHSC has proposed to repeal §352.10, Quality Assurance Fee for the Home and Community-based Services and Community Living Assistance and Support Services waiver programs, under Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 352.
HHSC also proposed amendments to §355.105, concerning General Reporting and Documentation Requirements, Methods, and Procedures, which would establish cost reporting and documentation requirements, methods and procedures for all Department of Aging and Disability Services programs for which the HHSC administers rates. For more information about both proposed rules, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
The Texas Board of Nursing has proposed to amend 22 Texas Administrative Code §213.12 regarding Witness Fees and Expenses, which would allow a witness who has been subpoenaed by the Board or a party to a proceeding of the Board’s to receive adequate reimbursement for their mileage. The Board also proposes to amend 22 Texas Administrative Code §223.1 regarding Fees, to reduce the renewal fees for Registered and Vocational Nurses from $67 to $65 and from $58 to $55, because of a $4.75 reduction in the fee for an FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check and the increased income from a higher number of RNs and LVNs renewing their licenses.
See the relevant section of the Texas Register for more information.
Adopted Rules
HHSC has adopted new §355.310, concerning the reimbursement methodology for customized power wheelchairs and associated physical or occupational therapy evaluations for qualified Texas nursing facility residents. The new rule lays out the reimbursement methodology.
The Texas Board of Nursing had adopted the repeal of 22 Texas Administrative Code §217.19 (Incident-Based Nursing Peer Review), and §217.20 (Safe Harbor Peer Review for Nurses), because of changes to the peer review process. See the relevant section of the Texas Register for more information.
