LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION March 24, 2025 TO: Honorable Lacey Hull, Chair, House Committee on Human Services FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB1716 by Darby (Relating to the provision of counseling services by certain providers under Medicaid and reimbursement for those services.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would allow Medicaid clients to receive services from a licensed marriage and family therapist working toward fulfilling supervised practice requirements, a master social worker who is actively pursuing education and training to be a licensed clinical social worker, and a licensed professional counselor associate who is working toward fulfilling the supervised practice requirements to be a licensed professional counselor.The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to provide Medicaid reimbursement for counseling services by these providers, including those at Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), at a rate equal to 50.0 percent of the reimbursement rate for a licensed psychiatrist or licensed psychologist providing a similar service. The bill would limit such reimbursement to not more than 3,000 hours or, if applicable, the number of hours of clinical practice or other experience the provider is required to complete to qualify for the applicable license.The bill would take effect September 1, 2025.According to HHSC, the changes made pursuant to the bill are expected to increase access to services, leading to higher utilization. Additionally, HHSC assumes that updates to claims and provider enrollment processes would be necessary. However, HHSC expects these costs to be minimal. This analysis assumes that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources. Local Government ImpactNo significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: b > td > 529 Health and Human Services Commission LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, NPe, ER, ESch, NV
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
March 24, 2025
TO: Honorable Lacey Hull, Chair, House Committee on Human Services FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB1716 by Darby (Relating to the provision of counseling services by certain providers under Medicaid and reimbursement for those services.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Lacey Hull, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
FROM: Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: HB1716 by Darby (Relating to the provision of counseling services by certain providers under Medicaid and reimbursement for those services.), As Introduced
Honorable Lacey Hull, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
Honorable Lacey Hull, Chair, House Committee on Human Services
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
HB1716 by Darby (Relating to the provision of counseling services by certain providers under Medicaid and reimbursement for those services.), As Introduced
HB1716 by Darby (Relating to the provision of counseling services by certain providers under Medicaid and reimbursement for those services.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would allow Medicaid clients to receive services from a licensed marriage and family therapist working toward fulfilling supervised practice requirements, a master social worker who is actively pursuing education and training to be a licensed clinical social worker, and a licensed professional counselor associate who is working toward fulfilling the supervised practice requirements to be a licensed professional counselor.The bill would require the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to provide Medicaid reimbursement for counseling services by these providers, including those at Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), at a rate equal to 50.0 percent of the reimbursement rate for a licensed psychiatrist or licensed psychologist providing a similar service. The bill would limit such reimbursement to not more than 3,000 hours or, if applicable, the number of hours of clinical practice or other experience the provider is required to complete to qualify for the applicable license.The bill would take effect September 1, 2025.According to HHSC, the changes made pursuant to the bill are expected to increase access to services, leading to higher utilization. Additionally, HHSC assumes that updates to claims and provider enrollment processes would be necessary. However, HHSC expects these costs to be minimal. This analysis assumes that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies: b > td > 529 Health and Human Services Commission
529 Health and Human Services Commission
LBB Staff: b > td > JMc, NPe, ER, ESch, NV
JMc, NPe, ER, ESch, NV