Texas House Bill HB2355

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to information sharing among care coordinators and providers participating in the Medicaid managed care program.

Impact

By amending existing laws related to the Medicaid program, HB2355 promotes a unified approach to care coordination, which could lead to improved health outcomes for patients. It also emphasizes legal compliance regarding patient privacy, aligning with federal and state laws designed to protect health information. With this focus on shared information, the bill seeks to bridge potential gaps in care that may arise from fragmented communication among various healthcare entities involved in patient care.

Summary

House Bill 2355 focuses on enhancing information sharing among care coordinators and healthcare providers within the Texas Medicaid managed care program. The bill aims to streamline the coordination of care by allowing managed care organizations to share essential medical records and service plans with appropriate parties. This legislative measure intends to ensure that recipients receive care that is tailored to their specific needs through effective communication between care coordinators and service providers.

Contention

While the bill is largely seen as a positive step towards improving patient care, there may be concerns from various stakeholders regarding the balance between information sharing and patient confidentiality. Opponents could argue that increased information sharing poses risks to patient privacy if not managed correctly. Moreover, there may be discussions surrounding the adequacy of existing security measures employed by managed care organizations to safeguard sensitive health information during transmission.