Texas House Bill HB3763

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the enrollment and reimbursement of psychological associates under Medicaid.

Impact

The bill aims to ensure that individuals receiving Medicaid can select psychological associates, alongside other licensed mental health professionals, to deliver necessary health care services. By clarifying and expanding the roles of psychological associates within the Medicaid framework, HB3763 will facilitate more options for recipients needing psychological services and could potentially lead to increased access to quality mental health care. The Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists is also tasked with implementing the necessary rules to support the bill's provisions, indicating a legislative commitment to oversight and quality control in this area.

Summary

House Bill 3763 is designed to improve the enrollment process and reimbursement for psychological associates under the Medicaid program in Texas. It proposes amendments to specific sections of the Human Resources Code and the Insurance Code, allowing psychological associates to be recognized as a separate provider type under Medicaid. This change comes amidst the ongoing discussions around expanding access to mental health services in Texas, particularly within the Medicaid program, which has been long recognized as a vital avenue for many seeking mental healthcare.

Contention

Although the bill appears to be a positive step towards enhancing mental health service delivery, it may also raise questions regarding reimbursement rates and the operational capacities of psychological associates compared to other healthcare providers. Discussions surrounding the bill hinted at concerns from some stakeholders about how these changes would affect service delivery and access to care for populations already facing barriers in the mental health system. This includes potential implications for the training and supervision requirements placed on psychological associates, which could affect service delivery in various communities.