79R2242 UM-D

By:  Solis                                                        H.B. No. 2874


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to regional and state dental services advisory committees under the Medicaid program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Sections 531.081 and 531.082 to read as follows: Sec. 531.081. STATE MEDICAID DENTAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The executive commissioner shall establish a Medicaid dental services advisory committee to: (1) receive recommendations and relevant information from regional Medicaid dental services committees created under Section 531.082, recipient advocacy groups, and local clinics; and (2) advise the executive commissioner on policy, rules, and services relating to dental services provided under the Medicaid program. (b) The committee consists of 11 members appointed by the executive commissioner from geographically diverse areas as follows: (1) eight dentists participating in the Medicaid program; and (2) three representatives of advocacy groups for Medicaid dental services recipients. (c) The committee shall: (1) solicit recommendations and relevant information from regional Medicaid dental services committees created under Section 531.082; (2) review all current Medicaid policies related to dental services, including policies relating to provider audits and the resolution of issues identified through an audit; (3) review and submit comments concerning proposed Medicaid dental services rule and policy changes; (4) recommend procedures to be used with pricing issues for Medicaid dental services; and (5) make recommendations regarding the prevention and detection of fraud in the provision of Medicaid dental services. (d) A member of the committee may not receive compensation for serving on the committee and may not be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while conducting the business of the committee. (e) The commission shall provide administrative support, including staff, for the committee. (f) The committee is not subject to Chapter 2110. Sec. 531.082. REGIONAL MEDICAID DENTAL SERVICES COMMITTEES. (a) The executive commissioner shall establish a regional Medicaid dental services committee in each of the public health regions established under Section 121.007, Health and Safety Code. A regional committee shall provide recommendations to the state Medicaid dental services advisory committee regarding dental services provided under the Medicaid program based on recommendations from participating dentists and local clinics. (b) Each regional committee consists of seven members appointed by the executive commissioner as follows: (1) five dentists participating in the Medicaid program in that public health region; and (2) two representatives of advocacy groups for Medicaid dental services recipients in that public health region. (c) Each regional committee shall: (1) review all current Medicaid dental services policies that affect the region, including policies relating to provider audits and the resolution of issues identified through an audit; (2) review and submit comments concerning proposed Medicaid dental services rule and policy changes; (3) recommend procedures to be used with pricing issues for Medicaid dental services; and (4) make recommendations regarding the prevention and detection of fraud in the provision of Medicaid dental services. (d) A member of a regional committee may not receive compensation for serving on the committee and may not be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while conducting the business of the committee. (e) A regional committee is not subject to Chapter 2110. SECTION 2. (a) Not later than January 1, 2006, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall appoint the state Medicaid dental services advisory committee required by Section 531.081, Government Code, as added by this Act. (b) Not later than March 1, 2006, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall appoint the regional Medicaid dental services committees required by Section 531.082, Government Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.