September 13, 2018 - 9:00am

Health and Human Services Commission Brown-Heatly Building Public Hearing Room (1410, 1420, 1430)
4900 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin Texas, 78751

Agenda

Hearing. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing on September 13, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. to receive public comments on the following proposed amendments to Title 1 of the Texas Administrative Code:

§355.8441, concerning Reimbursement Methodologies for Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) Services;
§355.8600, concerning Reimbursement Methodology for Ambulance Services; and
§355.8202, concerning Waiver Payments to Physician Group Practices for Uncompensated Care.

The amendments are proposed to be adopted in October 2018 and will apply to services provided between October 1, 2018, and September 30, 2019. HHSC previously proposed amendments to §355.8201 but withdrew the amendment on September 10, 2018. A revised proposed amendment to §355.8201 will be published in the Texas Register on September 21, 2018 and interested persons will have the opportunity to comment on that proposed amendment during the comment period that follows publication.

During the September 13, 2018 hearing, HHSC will also be receiving public comments on the following proposed new sections:

§355.8208, concerning Waiver Payments to Publicly-Owned Dental Providers for Uncompensated Charity Care;
§355.8210, concerning Waiver Payments to Governmental Ambulance Providers for Uncompensated Charity Care;
§355.8212, concerning Waiver Payments to Hospitals for Uncompensated Charity Care; and
§355.8214, concerning Waiver Payments to Physician Group Practices for Uncompensated Charity Care.

The new rules are proposed to be adopted in January 2019 and will apply to services provided after October 1, 2019.

The hearing will be held in compliance with Texas Human Resources Code §32.0282, which requires public notice of and hearings on proposed Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Proposal. The proposed rules were published in the Texas Register on July 27, 2018 (43 TexReg 4907). The new rules and amendments are necessary to implement revised definitions of eligible uncompensated costs and funding requirements contained in the state's approved Section 1115(a) waiver extension and to implement other policy changes.

Written Comments. Written comments regarding the proposed payment rates may be submitted in lieu of, or in addition to, oral testimony until 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 25, 2018. Written comments may be sent by U.S. mail, overnight mail, special delivery mail, hand delivery, fax, or email:

U.S. Mail:

Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Attn. Mariah Ramon, Project Manager
P.O. Box 149030
Mail Code H-100
Austin, Texas 78714-9030

Overnight mail, special delivery mail or hand delivery:

Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Attn. Mariah Ramon, Project Manager
4900 North Lamar
Austin, Texas 78751-2316

Phone number for package delivery: 512-730-7401

E-mail: UCTools@hhsc.state.tx.us. When e-mailing comments, please indicate "Comments on Proposed Rule 18R034" in the subject line.

Persons with disabilities who wish to attend the hearing and require auxiliary aids or services should contact Rate Analysis at (512) 730-7401 at least 72 hours prior to the hearing so appropriate arrangements can be made.