The following information was obtained from the August 21 issue of Texas Register:
Public Notices and Hearings
DADS awarded a contract (total value $227,599) to Bailit Health Purchasing, Inc., to provide the procurement, implementation, and evaluation of the health home pilot project for children on Medicaid.
For a list of per diem reimbursement rates DADS proposed for non-state ICF/MR providers, see this chart.
HHSC will hold a public hearing on September 1, 2009, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Physician-Administered Drugs. The public hearing will be held in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas.
HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, to update and clarify the reimbursement methodology for inpatient hospital services. The amendment will modify the new hospital and hospital merger rates section of the State Plan.
HHSC also intends to submit an amendment that will modify the reimbursement methodology in the Texas Medicaid State Plan as a result of Medicaid fee changes for Physicians and Certain Other Practitioners.
For more information about these notices, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
Adopted Rules
HHSC adopted amendments to 1 TAC §354.1115, Authorized Ambulance Services, which provides the Executive Commissioner with broad rulemaking authority and HHSC with the authority to administer the federal medical assistance (Medicaid) program in Texas.
HHSC adopted the repeal of 1 TAC Texas Administrative Code TAC §354.1261, Benefits and Limitations for Birthing Center Services, the result of a federal mandate from CMS that instructed Texas to discontinue Medicaid payments directly to birthing centers for services provided by the facility. See the relevant sections here.
HHSC made several changes under Chapter 355. Reimbursement Rates to Medicaid Hospital Services, General Administration, Birthing Center Services, and Medicaid Waiver Program For People With Deaf-Blindness And Multiple Disabilities. See the relevant section here.