2017S0406-T 03/06/17
By: Perry S.B. No. 2088
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the reimbursement of rural hospitals in the Texas
Medicaid program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 1, Health and Safety Code,
Chapter 533, Section 533.002 is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 533.002. PURPOSE. The commission shall implement the
Medicaid managed care program by contracting with managed care
organizations in a manner that, to the extent possible:
(1) improves the health of Texans by:
(A) emphasizing prevention;
(B) promoting continuity of care; and
(C) providing a medical home for recipients;
(2) ensures that each recipient receives high quality,
comprehensive health care services in the recipient's local
community;
(3) encourages the training of and access to primary
care physicians and providers;
(4) maximizes cooperation with existing public health
entities, including local departments of health;
(5) provides incentives to managed care organizations
to improve the quality of health care services for recipients by
providing value-added services; [and]
(6) reduces administrative and other nonfinancial
barriers for recipients in obtaining health care services; and
(7) provides for reimbursement to rural hospitals as
defined in the Texas Medicaid program on a per individual hospital
cost basis using payment methodology established by the commission
that assures rural hospitals recover allowable cost incurred to
provide services to Medicaid beneficiaries. The commission may
directly reimburse rural hospitals or contract with managed care
organizations to process reimbursement payments however contracts
associated with managed care organizations must allow for full pass
through of allowable cost reimbursement to rural hospitals.
SECTION 2. 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, 2017.