The following information was obtained from the July 31 issue of the Texas Register:
Public Notices
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) intends to submit the following amendments to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act:
- An amendment to adjust payment rates for the Day Activity and Health Services program to comply with the new federal minimum wage that will increase by $0.70 from the current $6.55 per hour to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009;
- An amendment to the Texas Health Steps Personal Care Services to modify the reimbursement methodologies in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid fee changes for the Texas Health Steps and Personal Care Services;
- An amendment that will modify the reimbursement methodologies to reflect Medicaid fee changes for Physicians and Certain Other Practitioners (Licensed Psychological Associates).
For details, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
Proposed Rules
HHSC proposes a new rule that would base the claims filing deadline for the School Health and Related Services Program on the federal fiscal year instead of the Texas fiscal year. (Section)
HHSC proposes to change the reimbursement methodology of the Attendant Compensation Rate Enhancement. (Section)
HHSC proposes to expand the In-Home and Family Support Mental Retardation Program handbook to include the detailed requirements for allowable and unallowable costs, as well as the procedural provisions eliminated in the proposed rules. (Section)
HHSC proposes to amend the Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation or Related Conditions section to allow physician assistants and advanced practice nurses to perform annual health exams. (Section)
Adopted Rules
HHSC adopted changes to Authorized Physician Services, which defines terms as they relate to physician supervision of other physicians in the context of an accredited graduate medical education program and arrangements under which one physician substitutes for another physician and clarifies when a supervising physician may bill Medicaid for services provided by resident physicians in the context of a GME program and services provided by other professionals. See the relevant section for more information.
HHSC adopted amendments to Informal Reviews and Formal Appeals and Administrative Contract Violations to provide the agency with the authority to adopt rules necessary to administer the federal medical assistance (Medicaid) program in Texas and other changes. See the relevant section for more information.
The Texas Medical Board adopted amendments to Chapter 185, §§185.4, 185.6, 185.13, 185.16, 185.19, 185.23, and 185.26, concerning Physician Assistants. For example, the amendment to Procedural Rules for Licensure Applicants deletes expired language that grandfathered licensure applicants who applied before 2008 from having to comply with certain examination requirements. See the relevant section for more information.
HHSC amended the following sections as part of a project adopting a new Chapter 99 governing criminal convictions barring licensure for nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, adult day care facilities, intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation and home and community support services agencies:
- Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification
- Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation or Related Conditions
- Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities
- Licensing Standards for Home and Community Support Services Agencies
See the relevant sections of the Texas Register.
