July 9, 2019 - 9:30am
Health and Human Services Commission, Brown-Heatly Building, Public Hearing Room
4900 N. Lamar Boulevard
Austin Texas, 78751
Agenda
Entry is through security at the main entrance of the building facing Lamar Boulevard.
Hearing. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing on July 9, 2019, at 9:30 a.m., to receive comment on proposed rate increases for: the Residential Care (RC), Primary Home Care (PHC), Community Attendant Services (CAS), Family Care (FC), and Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS) programs; Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Respite; STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Personal Assistance Services (PAS), Respite Care, and Habilitation (HAB) Proxy Rates; and STAR Kids Waiver Attendant, Attendant with Registered Nurse (RN) Delegation, and Community First Choice Habilitation (CFC HAB) Proxy Rates.
The public hearing will be held in compliance with Texas Human Resources Code §32.0282, which requires public notice of and hearings on proposed Medicaid reimbursements. HHSC will broadcast the public hearing. Persons watching remotely can submit written comments. The broadcast can be accessed at https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/live-archived-meetings, and it will be archived for access on demand at the same website.
Proposal. HHSC proposes to increase the attendant base wage to $8.11 for the attendant cost component for: RC, PHC, CAS, FC, DAHS, and CLASS Respite; STAR+PLUS HCBS Waiver PAS, Respite Care, and HAB Proxy Rates; STAR Kids Waiver Attendant; Attendant with RN Delegation, and CFC HAB Proxy Rates, in accordance with the 2020-21 General Appropriations Act (Article II, 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, Rider 45). These payment rates are proposed to be effective September 1, 2019.
Methodology and Justification. The proposed rates were calculated in accordance with Title 1 of the Texas Administrative Code:
§355.112, concerning Attendant Compensation Rate Enhancement;
§355.509, concerning the Reimbursement Methodology for Residential Care;
§355.6907, concerning the Reimbursement Methodology for Day Activity and Health;
§355.505, concerning the Reimbursement Methodology for the Community Living Assistance and Support Services Waiver Program;
§355.502, concerning the Reimbursement Methodology for Common Services in Home and Community-Based Services Waivers; and
§355.507, concerning the Reimbursement Methodology for the Medically Dependent Children Program.
Briefing Package. A briefing package describing the proposed payment rates will be available at http://rad.hhs.texas.gov/rate-packets on June 28, 2019. Interested parties may obtain a copy of the briefing package prior to the hearing by contacting the HHSC Rate Analysis Department by telephone at (512) 424-6637; by fax at (512) 730-7475; or by e-mail at RAD-LTSS@hhsc.state.tx.us. The briefing package will also will be available at the public hearing.
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. the day of the hearing. Written comments may be sent by U.S. mail, overnight mail, special delivery mail, hand delivery, fax, or e-mail.
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
Brown-Heatly Building
4900 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78751-2316
Phone number for package delivery: (512) 730-7401
Fax
Attention: Rate Analysis at (512) 730-7475
E-mail
RAD-LTSS@hhsc.state.tx.us
Persons with disabilities who wish to attend the hearing and require auxiliary aids or services should contact Rate Analysis at (512) 424-6637 at least 72 hours prior to the hearing so appropriate arrangements can be made.