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The following information was obtained from the September 21 issue of the Texas Register.
Public Notices
HHSC adopted new per diem reimbursement rates for FY 2013, effective September 1, 2012:
- Pediatric Care Facility Special Reimbursement: $226.66
- Large State-Operated ICF/IID Services, Large State-Operated ICF/IID Facilities – Medicaid Only clients: Adopted interim daily rate: $656.00
- Large State-Operated ICF/IID Facilities – Dual-eligible Medicaid/Medicare clients: Adopted interim daily rate: $634.26
- Small State-Operated ICF/IID Services: Adopted interim daily rate: $625.18
HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance, which would update fee schedules in the current state plan by including fees for new services and modifying fees for existing services for the following:
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies
- Family Planning Services
- Hearing Aids and Audiometric Evaluations
- Physicians and Other Practitioners
HHSC proposed to amend the state plan to comply with Chapter 536 of Texas Government Code, which requires HHSC to convert hospital reimbursement systems under the Child Health Plan and Medicaid to a diagnosis-related groups methodology that will allow HHSC to more accurately classify specific patient populations and account for severity of patient illness and mortality risk.
HHSC intends to submit amendments to change the methodology for DSH reimbursements for specific categories of hospitals. An excerpt:
This change is being made in response to a proposal in a petition submitted to HHSC by the hospitals that provide the vast majority of the intergovernmental transfer funds used as the state share for DSH payments. This change also recognizes funding changes that will occur as a result of implementation of the new 1115 demonstration waiver.
The proposed amendment is estimated to result in no change in the amount of federal funds eligible to be received by the state. The source of non-federal funding for the DSH program is public funds from local and state governmental entities.
For details about each entry, see the Texas Register.
Withdrawn Rules
The Texas Medical Board withdrew the proposed amendments to §192.1 and §192.2 and proposed new §193.13, which appeared in the July 27, 2012, issue.
Adopted Rules
The Texas Medical Board adopted amendments to §163.2, Full Texas Medical License, and §163.5, Licensure Documentation, which establish employment requirements for licensure applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and what documentation the board will accept from applicants to establish U.S. or permanent residency.
The board also adopted amendments to §187.18, Informal Show Compliance Proceeding and Settlement Conference Based on Personal Appearance, and §187.83, Proceedings for Cease and Desist Orders. The changes delete language relating to deadline requirements for submission of rebuttal materials in conflict with other provisions and the Medical Practice Act and language requiring a panel member to sign a cease-and-desist order, as the rule already provides for the executive director to sign it.
Finally, the board adopted amendments to §§189.1 – 189.3, 189.5 – 189.9 and 189.11, Compliance Program. The changes add language related to remedial plans to be consistent with provisions under Chapter 187.
See the Texas Register for more details about each entry.
Rules Review
The Texas Medical Board adopts the review of Chapter 189, Compliance Program, §§189.1 – 189.14.
