82R6630 EES-F

By: Alonzo H.B. No. 1653

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the inclusion of optometrists, therapeutic optometrists, and ophthalmologists in the health care provider networks of Medicaid managed care organizations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 533, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 533.0065 to read as follows:

Sec. 533.0065. EYE HEALTH CARE SERVICE PROVIDERS. Subject to Section 32.047, Human Resources Code, but notwithstanding any other law, the commission shall require that each managed care organization that contracts with the commission under any Medicaid managed care model or arrangement to provide health care services to recipients in a region include in the organization's provider network each optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, and ophthalmologist who:

(1) agrees to comply with the terms and conditions of the organization;

(2) agrees to accept the prevailing provider contract rate of the organization;

(3) agrees to abide by the standards of care required by the organization; and

(4) has the credentials required by the organization.

SECTION 2. (a) The Health and Human Services Commission shall conduct a study of the fiscal impact on this state of requiring each Medicaid managed care organization that contracts with the commission under any Medicaid managed care model or arrangement implemented under Chapter 533, Government Code, to include in the organization's health care provider network each optometrist, therapeutic optometrist, and ophthalmologist who meets the requirements under Section 533.0065, Government Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Not later than September 1, 2016, the Health and Human Services Commission shall submit to the legislature a written report containing the findings of the study conducted under Subsection (a) of this section and the commission's recommendations regarding the requirement addressed in the study.

SECTION 3. (a) The Health and Human Services Commission shall, in a contract between the commission and a Medicaid managed care organization under Chapter 533, Government Code, that is entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of this Act, require that the managed care organization comply with Section 533.0065, Government Code, as added by this Act.

(b) The Health and Human Services Commission shall seek to amend each contract entered into with a Medicaid managed care organization under Chapter 533, Government Code, before the effective date of this Act to require those managed care organizations to comply with Section 533.0065, Government Code, as added by this Act. To the extent of a conflict between Section 533.0065, Government Code, as added by this Act, and a provision of a contract with a managed care organization entered into before the effective date of this Act, the contract provision prevails.

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, 2011.