The following was obtained from the June 11 issue of the Texas Register:
Public Notices
HHSC intends to submit Transmittal Number 10-025, Amendment Number 918, to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, which would clarify the methodology for renal dialysis reimbursement, effective July 1, 2010. HHSC also published a correction to a STAR+PLUS program notice published in the May 28, 2010, issue of the Texas Register. The correct notice:
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) intends to submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services a request to renew the State of Texas Access Reform PLUS (STAR+PLUS) program. The STAR+PLUS program is a Medicaid home and community-based services waiver program under the authority of Title XIX, Section 1915(c), of the Social Security Act. The current waiver will expire January 31, 2011. The proposed effective date for the renewal is February 1, 2011.
See the Texas Register for more information about the amendment and correction.
Proposed Rules
HHSC proposed to amend Title 1, Part 15, Chapter 355, Subchapter J, Division 4, §355.8052, to comply with a rider in the 2010-2011 General Appropriations Act (Article II, HHSC Rider 68, Senate Bill 1, 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009), which requires HHSC to update the payment division standard dollar amount (PDSDA) and diagnosis related groups factors with more recent cost data and to proportionately reduce the PDSDAs within available funds.
See the Texas Register for more information.
Adopted Rules
HHSC adopted amendments to §355.112, concerning Attendant Compensation Rate Enhancement, with minor grammatical changes to the proposed text as published in the March 26, 2010, issue of the Texas Register. The amendments limit the current fiscal accountability system to services delivered on or before August 31, 2009. See the Texas Register for more information.
HHSC adopted revisions to Chapter 357, Subchapter A, §357.3, concerning Authority and Right to Appeal and §357.19, concerning Other Procedures. HHSC also adopts revisions to Subchapter R, §§357.701 – 357.703, concerning Purpose and Application, Definitions and Process and Timeframes. Among other changes, the amendments expand the timeframe for submitting a request for an appeal to include the effective date of the agency action. See the Texas Register for more information.
HHSC, on DADS’s behalf, adopted the repeal of §§42.1 – 42.11 and §42.13 and adopted new Subchapter A, consisting of §§42.101 – 42.105, and other changes. The new sections incorporate guidance and policy for DBMD Program providers contained in policy clarification letters, information letters, and the Deaf-Blind Multiple Disabilities Medicaid Waiver Handbook.
See the Texas Register for details about other changes.
HHSC adopted new sections under Texas Government Code, §531.0055, which provide that the HHSC executive commissioner adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including DADS. See the Texas Register for details about other changes.