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.