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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the content of an application for Medicaid. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 32.025(g), Human Resources Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(g) The application form adopted under this section must |
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include: |
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(1) for an applicant who is pregnant, a question |
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regarding whether the pregnancy is the woman's first gestational |
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pregnancy; and |
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(2) for all applicants, a question regarding the |
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applicant's preferences for being contacted, as follows: |
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"If you are determined eligible for benefits, your |
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managed care organization or health plan provider may contact you |
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by telephone, text message, or e-mail about health care matters, |
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including reminders for appointments and information about |
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immunizations or well check visits. All preferred methods of |
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contact listed on this application will be shared with your managed |
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care organization or health plan provider. |
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If your preferred method of contact about health |
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care matters is by electronic communication, including text message |
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or e-mail, please be advised that while your managed care |
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organization or health plan provider is required to protect the |
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security of that communication, because electronic communication |
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may not be encrypted there is still a risk of a security breach, |
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including the risk of confidential or private information being |
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intercepted by an unauthorized third party. By completing the form |
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below, you acknowledge that you understand the risks associated |
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with and consent to the use of electronic communication. |
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Please indicate below your preferred methods of |
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contact in order of preference, with the number 1 being the most |
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preferable method: |
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(1) By telephone (if contacted by cellular telephone, the |
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call may be autodialed or prerecorded, and your carrier's usage |
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rates may apply)? Yes No |
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Telephone number: _____________ |
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Order of preference: 1 2 3 (circle a number) |
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(2) By text message (a free autodialed service, but your |
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carrier may charge message and data rates)? Yes No |
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Cellular telephone number: ______________ |
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Order of preference: 1 2 3 (circle a number) |
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(3) By e-mail? Yes No |
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E-mail address: __________________ |
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Order of preference: 1 2 3 (circle a number)". |
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SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2022, the executive |
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commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
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adopt a revised application form for medical assistance benefits |
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that conforms to the requirements of Section 32.025(g), Human |
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Resources Code, as amended by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. If before implementing any provision of this Act |
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a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a |
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federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, |
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the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or |
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authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the |
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waiver or authorization is granted. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |