81R9648 KLA-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1248
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the reimbursement rate for certain ambulance services
provided under the medical assistance program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 32.028, Human Resources Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (r) to read as follows:
(r) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission by rule shall establish reimbursement rates for
ground ambulance services provided under the medical assistance
program that are not less than the reimbursement rates established
by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for
similar services covered by the federal Medicare program that were
in effect on January 1, 2009. In establishing the rates, the
executive commissioner shall stratify the rates in accordance with
levels of ambulance services provided in a manner similar to the
stratification under the Medicare program.
SECTION 2. If before implementing any provision of this Act
a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
waiver or authorization is granted.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.