By: Guerra H.B. No. 1661
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to Medicaid billing for the services of substitute
dentists.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 32.076 to read as follows:
Sec. 32.076. SUBSTITUTE DENTISTS. To the extent allowed by
federal law, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall adopt rules ensuring that the same
standards applying to a physician who bills the medical assistance
program for services provided by a substitute physician apply also
to a dentist who bills the medical assistance program for services
provided by a substitute dentist.
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. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement
the changes in law made by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.