The following information was obtained from the September 20 issue of the Texas Register.
Public Notices
HHSC intends to submit an amendment to the Texas State Plan for Medical Assistance to adjust fees for the following existing services: Hearing and Audiometric Evaluations; Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies; Physicians and Other Practitioners; and Home Health Services.
HHSC intends to submit to CMS a request to amend the THTQIP to expand STAR+PLUS to the Medicaid Rural Service Areas; add NF services, mental health targeted case management and mental health rehabilitation, employment assistance, and supported employment as benefits delivered by managed care organizations; move IDD or a related condition enrolled in certain 1915(c) Medicaid waiver programs into STAR+PLUS for acute care services; and add cognitive rehabilitation therapy as an available service.
For more information, see the Texas Register.
An excerpt of the notice about SB 1542, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, which adds Chapter 538 to the Government Code:
[The bill] requires the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to develop and implement a clinical improvement process to receive suggestions that improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of clinical care under the Medicaid program. The process includes a preliminary review of each suggestion with additional research for those selected for further analysis. Suggestions sent for a full analysis will be open for public comment for 30 days. Each clinical initiative that has received a full analysis will result in a report and final recommendation to the commission.
The 28 area agencies on aging currently seek qualified entities to provide such services as: Congregate Meals, Home Delivered Meals, Transportation, Personal Assistance, Homemaker, and Caregiver, as well as other related services. Interested parties must contact the agencies within their service area (PDF) See the Texas Register for more information.
Adopted Rule Reviews
The Texas Board of Nursing completed its review of the rules in Chapter 227, Pilot Programs for Innovative Applications to Professional Nursing Education, and determined that the reasons for originally adopting these rules continue to exist. See the Texas Register for details.
