The following information was obtained from the June 12 issue of the Texas Register:
Public Hearings
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will hold a public hearing on July 1, 2009, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on rate increases for the Community Based Alternatives waiver program, the Community Living Assistance and Support Services waiver program, the Deaf-Blind with Multiple Disabilities waiver program, and others.
The hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room of the Health and Human Services Commission, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. See the relevant sections of the Texas Register for more information.
Proposed Rules
The Texas Medical Board proposes to amend Chapter 185, §§185.4, 185.6, 185.13, 185.16, 185.19, 185.23, and 185.26, concerning Physician Assistants. Among other things, the changes would delete expired language that grandfathered licensure applicants who applied before 2008 from having to comply with certain examination requirements, allow physician assistants to obtain six hours of continuing medical education per year by serving as an expert panel reviewer for the Board, and provide that if a primary supervising physician of a physician assistant is not able to supervise for more than 30 days, then a new primary supervising physician must provide supervision.
See details about each proposed change here.
Adopted Rules
HHSC adopted an amendment to §354.1281, relating to services performed by a licensed psychological associate (LPA) under the direct supervision of a licensed psychologist. The change aligns Medicaid policy with Medicare by allowing a psychologist to be reimbursed for services performed by an LPA when the LPA is under the direct supervision of the licensed psychologist. See the relevant section of the Texas Register for more information.
