The following information was obtained from the December 21 issue of the Texas Register.
Public Notices
HHSC intends to submit to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance an amendment that would update the fee schedules in the current state plan by including fees for new services and by modifying fees for existing services. HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the Texas Healthcare Transformation Quality Improvement Program waiver program. An excerpt:
The 82nd Texas Legislature made 100 slots available for individuals with imminent risk for nursing facility placement to prevent institutionalization of individuals with disabilities who are currently in the community and waiting for Community Based Alternatives waiver services. The Department of Aging and Disability Services requested that the HHSC STAR+PLUS Program utilize 67 of the diversion slots, which leaves the Community Based Alternatives program with 33 slots. These slots are for persons who currently have no home and community based waiver services who face imminent risk of entering a nursing facility due to a catastrophic episode.
Proposed Rules
HHSC proposed to amend §355.7001, Telemedicine Services Reimbursement, which would allow reimbursement to additional health care professionals for telemedicine and telehealth services. See the Texas Register for details.
Adopted Rules
HHSC adopted new Chapter 352, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program Provider Enrollment, which is necessary to bring Texas Medicaid and CHIP into compliance with the new federal requirements related to provider enrollment. HHSC also adopted the repeal of §354.1006, Surety Bond Requirements; §354.1173, Provider Certification/Enrollment in Medicare; and §354.1442, Out-of-State Provider Eligibility, in Chapter 354, Medicaid Health Services.
The repeals remove the Medicaid and CHIP provider enrollment requirements from Chapter 354 to new Chapter 352. For more information, see the Texas Register.
- On DADS’ Behalf
HHSC adopted amendments to §§9.153, 9.158, 9.166, 9.170, 9.174, 9.177, 9.178, 9.188, 9.189, and 9.190, Definitions; Process for Enrollment of Applicants; Renewal and Revision of an IPC; Reimbursement; Certification Principles: Service Delivery; Certification Principles: Staff Member and Service Provider Requirements; Certification Principles: Quality Assurance; DADS Approval of Residences; Referral to DFPS; and Local Authority requirements for Providing Service Coordination in the HCS Program, in Subchapter D, HCS Program, of Chapter 9, Intellectual Disability Services–Medicaid State Operating Agency Responsibilities.
The changes implement a Board of Nursing rule that the performance of a nursing assessment by an RN lays the foundation for the provision of nursing to a person. See the Texas Register for more information.
