Hearing.  Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing on July 15, 2015, at 9 a.m. to receive public comment on proposed base rate increases for attendant services provided under the following programs operated by the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS): Primary Home Care; Community Attendant Services; Family Care; Consumer-Managed Personal Assistance Services; Residential Care; Day Activity and Health Services; Medically Dependent Children Program; and Consumer Directed Services.  The hearing will also receive public comment on proposed base rate increases for certain attendant and habilitation services provided under the Community First Choice (CFC) program operated by DADS and HHSC.  Finally, the hearing will receive public comment on proposed base rate increases for the proxy rate for attendant services used in the calculation of the STAR+PLUS managed care capitation rates for the Home and Community-based Services (HCBS) risk group and its associated Consumer Directed Services rate.

The hearing will be held in compliance with Texas Human Resources Code §32.0282 and Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 1, §355.105(g), which require that public hearings be held on proposed reimbursement rates before such rates are approved by HHSC. 

Proposal.  HHSC proposes to increase the base rates for Primary Home Care, Community Attendant Services, and Family Care Non-Priority Personal Attendant Services; Consumer-Managed Personal Assistance Services, Day Activity and Health Services; Residential Care; Medical Dependent Children Program Respite Services provided by an attendant; CFC State Plan (STAR+PLUS) Attendant and Habilitation Services, the proxy rate for attendant services used in the calculation of the STAR+PLUS managed care capitation rates for the HCBS risk group; and all associated Consumer Directed Services.  The proposed rates will be effective September 1, 2015 and were determined in accordance with the rate setting methodologies listed below under “Methodology and Justification.”

Methodology and Justification.  The proposed payment rates incorporate provisions in the 2016-17 General Appropriations Act that included funds to support increases in the base wages of personal attendants to $8.00 per hour.  See General Appropriations Bill, 84th Legislature, R.S., article. II, at II-131 (Health and Human Services Section, Special Provisions for all Health and Human Services Agencies, § 47).  HHSC calculated the proposed payment rates in accordance with the rate setting methodologies codified at title 1, section 355.112 of the TAC, relating to Attendant Compensation Rate Enhancement and title 1, section 355.9090 of the TAC, relating to Reimbursement Methodology for Community First Choice.

Briefing Package.  A briefing package describing the proposed payment rates will be available at http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/rad/rate-packets.shtml on July 3, 2015.  Those interested may also obtain a copy of the briefing package before the hearing by contacting Rate Analysis by telephone at 512-730-7401; by fax at 512-730-7475; or by email at kyle.baxter@hhsc.state.tx.us.  The briefing package also will be available at the public hearing. 

Written Comments.  Written comments regarding the proposed payment rates may be submitted instead of, or in addition to, oral testimony until 5 p.m. the day of the hearing.  Written comments may be sent by U.S. mail, overnight mail, special delivery mail, hand delivery, fax, or email.

U.S. Mail
Health and Human Services Commission
Rate Analysis Department, Mail Code H-400
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, Texas 78714-9030

Overnight mail, special delivery mail or hand delivery
Health and Human Services Commission
Rate Analysis Department, Mail Code H-400
4900 North Lamar
Austin, Texas 78751

Phone number for package delivery:  512-730-7401

Fax
Attention:  Kyle Baxter at 512-730-7475

Email
kyle.baxter@hhsc.state.tx.us