81R3558 UM-D
 
  By: Martinez H.B. No. 1708
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the provision and evaluation of comprehensive substance
  abuse treatment under the state 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 Section 531.0226 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.0226.  STUDY REGARDING COMPREHENSIVE SUBSTANCE
  ABUSE TREATMENT.  (a)  The commission shall conduct a study
  regarding the cost-effectiveness of providing comprehensive
  substance abuse treatment, as described by Section 32.024(ff),
  Human Resources Code, to Medicaid recipients who are at least 21
  years of age.
         (b)  To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of providing
  comprehensive substance abuse treatment to Medicaid recipients,
  the commission shall identify and use specific outcome measures.
  The outcome measures must be measured in three consecutive years,
  including the year before the year in which the recipient receives
  comprehensive substance abuse treatment, the year in which the
  treatment is first provided to the recipient, and the year
  following the year in which the treatment is first provided to the
  recipient. The study must include, for Medicaid recipients who
  receive comprehensive substance abuse treatment, at least the
  following outcome measures:
               (1)  the average annual cost per recipient of a
  recipient's treatment under the Medicaid program, other than the
  comprehensive substance abuse treatment, including inpatient
  services other than inpatient labor and delivery services,
  outpatient services, and pharmaceutical and ancillary services;
               (2)  the average annual cost per recipient of the
  comprehensive substance abuse treatment; and
               (3)  the average annual number, per recipient, of:
                     (A)  inpatient days;
                     (B)  emergency department visits; and
                     (C)  outpatient visits.
         (c)  To evaluate cost and utilization trends among Medicaid
  recipients who are at least 21 years of age and with respect to whom
  there is no evidence of a substance abuse disorder, the commission
  shall collect data regarding the outcome measures listed in
  Subsections (b)(1) and (3) for the same period described by
  Subsection (b).
         (d)  In conducting the study, the commission shall ensure
  that outcome data is evaluated using:
               (1)  appropriate demographic categories, including
  recipient age, disability, and income; and
               (2)  the type of service delivery model through which
  the recipient received services through Medicaid, including the
  fee-for-service, primary care case management, and health
  maintenance organization models.
         (e)  Using the data collected during the study, the
  commission shall evaluate cost and utilization trends and whether
  the provision of comprehensive substance abuse treatment through
  the state Medicaid program results in an increase in overall
  Medicaid spending. The commission shall prepare a report of the
  study data and the commission's determination and, not later than
  December 1, 2012, submit the report to the governor, the state
  auditor, and the Legislative Budget Board.
         (f)  If the commission determines that the provision of
  comprehensive substance abuse treatment through the state Medicaid
  program has resulted in an increase in overall Medicaid spending,
  the commission:
               (1)  may not continue to provide those services to a
  Medicaid recipient who is at least 21 years of age; and
               (2)  shall, in the report required by Subsection (e),
  recommend the repeal of Section 32.024(ff), Human Resources Code.
         (g)  This section expires January 1, 2013.
         SECTION 2.  Section 32.024, Human Resources Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (ff) to read as follows:
         (ff)  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the
  department shall provide comprehensive substance abuse treatment
  under the medical assistance program to a person who is at least 21
  years of age, has a substance abuse disorder, and otherwise
  qualifies for medical assistance. The department may not provide
  the treatment if, based on the study conducted under Section
  531.0226, Government Code, a determination is made that the
  treatment resulted in an increase in overall medical assistance
  program spending.  Comprehensive substance abuse treatment
  includes assessment, residential detoxification, outpatient
  detoxification, methadone maintenance, residential services,
  specialized residential services for women, outpatient chemical
  dependency counseling, and any other necessary services as
  determined by the department.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than December 1, 2009, the Health and
  Human Services Commission shall submit to the Legislative Budget
  Board for approval the commission's proposed methodology,
  including outcome measures selected, for the cost-effectiveness
  study required by Section 531.0226, Government Code, as added by
  this Act.
         SECTION 4.  If before implementing any provision of this Act
  a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a
  federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,
  the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or
  authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the
  waiver or authorization is granted.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.