The following information was obtained from the April 29 issue of the Texas Register:
Public Hearings and Notices
HHSC will hold a hearing to receive public comments on Medicaid payment rates for the following: 17-Alpha Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate; Diabetic Equipment and Supplies; Incontinence Supplies; Medicaid Calendar Fee Reviews; Mobility Aids; Otology and Audiometry Services; Substance Use Disorder Services; and Surgical Procedures.
The hearing will be held on May 17, 2011, at 1:30 p.m., in the Lone Star Conference Room of HHSC, Braker Center, Building H, located at 11209 Metric Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Entry is through security at the main entrance of the building, which faces Metric Boulevard. See the Texas Register for more information.
HHSC released its RFPs for Consulting Services for the “Medical Transportation Program Second Study” (RFP #529-11-0014) to procure the services to complete an independent, unbiased, statistically valid, and timely study of the Medical Transportation Program, as specified in the Frew Corrective Action Order.
HHSC released its RFPs for consultant services to assist Texas in securing a blanket contract for a pool of multiple pre-qualified and readily accessible consultants for The Multiple Consultant Services Blanket Contract, RFP #529-11-0045. The point of contact for both requests:
Peggie Laser
Procurement Manager
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
4405 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 76756-3422
(512) 206-5278
Peggie.Laser@hhsc.state.tx.us
For details about both requests, see the Texas Register.
Emergency Rules
The Texas Medical Board adopted on an emergency basis amendments to §187.83, Proceedings for Cease and Desist Orders. See the Texas Register for details.
Proposed Rules
HHSC proposes to amend §354.1341, Benefits and Limitations, and §354.1342, Conditions for Participation, related to the Medicaid School Health and Related Services program (SHARS), which would reflect the changes made to the program. An excerpt:
As a result of negotiations between HHSC and CMS during the state plan amendment process, participating school districts are now required to participate in ongoing time studies to accurately document time spent providing SHARS services, certify their total computable expenditures on a quarterly basis, and submit an annual cost report to HHSC. The Medicaid state plan amendment for SHARS was approved by CMS effective September 1, 2006.
HHSC proposes to §355.8043 Supplemental Payments for Physician Services, which would add a new category of hospital physician groups that would be eligible for Medicaid physician supplemental payments. See the Texas Register for more information about these proposed changes.
The Texas Medical Board proposed to amend the following sections of the code:
- Temporary And Limited Licenses
- Physician Profiles
- Procedural Rules
- Disciplinary Guidelines
- Pain Management Clinics
- Public Information
HHSC proposes to amend §§1.301 – 1.303, 1.305, 1.307 – 1.310, and 1.312, concerning purpose, application, definitions, process to establish a new community center, modifying a community center’s current plan, dissolution or merger of community centers, appointment of manager or management team, standards of administration for boards of trustees, and fiscal controls; and the repeal of §§1.304, 1.306, and 1.313 – 1.316, concerning philosophy, updating a community centers current plan, determination of salaries of community center employees, exhibits, references, and distribution, in Chapter 1, State Mental Retardation Authority Responsibilities.
The changes would revise rule language to be consistent with HB 2303, 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, which states that a community center may provide health and human services and supports that are not identified in its local plan if provided by contract with a local, federal, or state agency. See the Texas Register for more information.
The Texas Medical Board adopted changes for the following sections:
