H.B. No. 3295
AN ACT
relating to the delivery of certain Medicaid services to certain
persons.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 534.111, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 534.111. CONCLUSION OF PILOT PROGRAMS;
EXPIRATION. On September 1, 2019 [2018]:
(1) each pilot program established under this
subchapter that is still in operation must conclude; and
(2) this subchapter expires.
SECTION 2. Section 534.201(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) On September 1, 2020 [2018], the commission shall
transition the provision of Medicaid benefits to individuals to
whom this section applies to the STAR + PLUS Medicaid managed care
program delivery model or the most appropriate integrated capitated
managed care program delivery model, as determined by the
commission based on cost-effectiveness and the experience of the
STAR + PLUS Medicaid managed care program in providing basic
attendant and habilitation services and of the pilot programs
established under Subchapter C, subject to Subsection (c)(1).
SECTION 3. (a) Using existing resources, the Health and
Human Services Commission shall:
(1) identify and evaluate barriers preventing
Medicaid recipients enrolled in the STAR + PLUS Medicaid managed
care program or a home and community-based services waiver program
from choosing the consumer directed services option and develop
recommendations for increasing the percentage of Medicaid
recipients enrolled in those programs who choose the consumer
directed services option; and
(2) study the feasibility of establishing a community
attendant registry to assist Medicaid recipients enrolled in the
community attendant services program in locating providers.
(b) Not later than December 1, 2018, the Health and Human
Services Commission shall submit a report containing the
commission's findings and recommendations under Subsection (a) of
this section to the governor, the legislature, and the Legislative
Budget Board. The report required by this subsection may be
combined with any other report required by this Act or other law.
SECTION 4. (a) The Health and Human Services Commission
shall conduct a study of the provision of dental services to adults
with disabilities under the Medicaid program, including:
(1) the types of dental services provided, including
preventive dental care, emergency dental services, and
periodontal, restorative, and prosthodontic services;
(2) limits or caps on the types and costs of dental
services provided;
(3) unique considerations in providing dental care to
adults with disabilities, including additional services necessary
for adults with particular disabilities; and
(4) the availability and accessibility of dentists who
provide dental care to adults with disabilities, including the
availability of dentists who provide additional services necessary
for adults with particular disabilities.
(b) In conducting the study under Subsection (a) of this
section, the Health and Human Services Commission shall:
(1) identify the number of adults with disabilities
whose Medicaid benefits include limited or no dental services and
who, as a result, have sought medically necessary dental services
during an emergency room visit;
(2) if feasible, estimate the number of adults with
disabilities who are receiving services under the Medicaid program
and who have access to alternative sources of dental care,
including pro bono dental services, faith-based dental services
providers, and other public health care providers; and
(3) collect data on the receipt of dental services
during emergency room visits by adults with disabilities who are
receiving services under the Medicaid program, including the
reasons for seeking dental services during an emergency room visit
and the costs of providing the dental services during an emergency
room visit, as compared to the cost of providing the dental services
in the community.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2018, the Health and Human
Services Commission shall submit a report containing the results of
the study conducted under Subsection (a) of this section and the
commission's recommendations for improving access to dental
services in the community for and reducing the provision of dental
services during emergency room visits to adults with disabilities
receiving services under the Medicaid program to the governor, the
legislature, and the Legislative Budget Board. The report required
by this subsection may be combined with any other report required by
this Act or other law.
SECTION 5. 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 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 3295 was passed by the House on May 4,
2017, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 3295 on May 26, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 0,
2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 3295 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor