SRC-JBJ H.B. 897 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 897
76R11087 KLA-DBy: Haggerty (Carona)
Human Services
5/10/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, there is a shortfall between the cost of ambulance service and
what Medicare will pay for this service.  Medicare pays 80 percent of the
cost of service for those who qualify for the program.  Since many Medicare
clients also qualify for medical assistance, the program could potentially
make up for the shortfall, thereby removing ambulance operators, who are
required by law to respond to all emergency calls, from the need to absorb
this expense  or pass it on to other clients.  H.B. 897 would require the
medical assistance program to pay the Medicare deductible and coinsurance
on ambulance service. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 897 requires the medical assistance program to pay the
Medicare deductible and coinsurance for ambulance service. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 32.043, Human Resources Code, by adding
Subsection (c), to require the medical assistance program to pay the
Medicare deductibles and coinsurance, for an ambulance service provided to
an individual who is eligible under the medical assistance program and
Medicare. 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Requires the Health and Human Services Commission to request a
waiver from a federal agency, if a waiver or authorization is required for
implementation, and the commission may delay implementation until the
waiver is granted. 

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.