The following information was obtained from the May 21 issue of the Texas Register:
Public Notices
HHSC will award contract 529-06-0425-00042 to Health Management Associates in Lansing, Michigan, to develop two deliverables, the State Medicaid Health Information Technology Plan and the Implementation Advance Planning Document. The contract’s total value is $641,010.
HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would add the non-state operated ICF/MR to the Attendant Compensation Rate Enhancement effective September 1, 2010. For more information about both notices, see the relevant section of the Texas Register.
Proposed Rules
HHSC proposes to amend §354.1311 and §354.1312 related to Medicaid substance abuse and dependency treatment services. An excerpt of the changes:
Amended §354.1311(a) deletes the reference to persons under age 21 since Medicaid is adding substance abuse benefits for adults. The amendment also updates the reference to the Department of State Health Services as the agency that licenses providers and facilities that provide substance abuse and dependency treatment services.
Amended §354.1311(b) clarifies the definition of chemical dependency to include substance abuse and dependency as defined in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This clarified definition is reflected in the proposed revised title of Division 22 and throughout the rules.
Amended §354.1311(c) expands existing program benefits by adding assessment, outpatient detoxification, and medication assisted therapy as benefits of the Medicaid program.
See the Texas Register for more information.
The Texas Board of Nursing proposes changes to several sections of the code:
- An amendment to §211.6, which would include authorizing the deferral of final disciplinary actions against individuals as an alternative method of resolving certain violations of the Nursing Practice Act and Board rules. For details, see the Texas Register.
- Amendments to §213.30, relating to Declaratory Order of Eligibility for Licensure, which would include authorizing an individual to request a “criminal history evaluation letter” from a licensing authority if the individual is enrolled, or plans to enroll, in an educational program that prepares the individual for initial licensure, or is planning to take an examination for initial licensure, and has reason to believe he or she is ineligible for licensure due to a conviction or a deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense. For details, see the Texas Register.
- Amendments to §217.2, relating to Licensure by Examination for Graduates of Nursing Education Programs Within the United States, its Territories, or Possessions; §217.4, relating to Requirements for Initial Licensure by Examination for Nurses Who Graduate from Nursing Education Programs Outside of United States’ Jurisdiction; and §217.5, relating to Temporary License and Endorsement, necessary to clarify existing language within the sections and to enhance consistency among Board rules related to eligibility determinations. For details, see the Texas Register.
